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Maternity and Childcare
A range of benefits and grants are available to support families with children.
Maternity Grant
This one off payment can be paid before or up to three months after your baby is born. To qualify, either the mother or her husband must have paid contributions for at least three months at any time before a specified date. This date is determined by the date your baby is expected or the actual date of birth. Forms are available at the Employment and Social Security Department.
Maternity Allowance
This benefit is paid weekly for up to 18 weeks and is based on the contributions you have paid. The allowance can start between the 11th and 6th weeks before the baby is due but cannot be paid if you are still working. If you work in the six-week period before your baby is due, you will not qualify for the full 18 weeks benefit. You can choose when your benefits start but your claim must be made between the 14th and 7th week before the baby is due.
Milk
Expectant mothers/children below the age of five and adults over the age of 70 qualify for milk at a reduced price. Some special categories between 65 and 70 years of age also qualify. Please note: your family income is taken into consideration.
Family Allowance
The number of children in the family and the family's income determines this allowance. For single parent families, any maintenance payment received is included as part of the family income. To qualify, the person making the claim must have been in the Island for 12 months immediately preceding the date when the allowance is claimed. The child or children must also be in Jersey, although for both adults and children, short spells away from the Island are allowed. The allowance is calculated from May each year for a period of 12 months, with a review in January, and is based on the preceding income tax year. Family Allowance payments will cease when the child reaches school leaving age of 16. Should the child remain in full time education in Jersey after their 16th birthday, the allowance may be reinstated.
Childcare Allowance
To qualify for this allowance, family income must be below the appropriate tax threshold. The child or children must be less than five and must be receiving childcare from a registered provider e.g. childminder, nursery or playgroup. You may be eligible for an allowance for each child below the age of five. The hours the child is in care must coincide with the hours in which the parents work. Both parents and children must have resided in the Island for the past six months and be resident when the application is made. Payment is made on the first Tuesday of each month and the amount is reviewed at least once every six months. To claim the Childcare Allowance, contact the Employment & Social Security Department.
Child Disablement Allowance
This allowance is for children up to 16 years old who have a disability but who do not qualify for an Attendance Allowance. Child Disablement Allowance is paid monthly in advance and is tax free. If your child does not meet the residence conditions, he may still qualify if the parent claiming the allowance does. Your child will automatically be considered for Adult Disablement when he reaches age 16.
Adoptive Parents Grant
This grant is payable when an adoption order is made in Jersey. To qualify one of the spouses must have paid contributions above a certain level (known as the ÔLower Threshold Level') for at least three months before a set date.
Leaflets and further information about benefits and allowances can be obtained from The Employment and Social Security office at:
Philip Le Feuvre House,
La Motte Street,
St Helier,
JE4 8PE.
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related website: http://www.ess.gov.je
related telephone: fax:
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This article updated: 2004/07/06 12:10:48
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| ......timelines...... |
| A magnificient Golden Torque, which may once have adorned a Bronze Age chieftain and is now part of the Societe Jersiaise collection, was found by workmen in St Helier in 1889. |
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