BUDGET: What's happening to benefits?

Increases to Child Benefit, Maternity Allowance and JSA

Around 3,500 individuals, and families of working age, who are on low incomes will reportedly benefit from increases to a number of taxpayer’ backed benefits.

That’s according to Treasury which has today (20 February) unveiled the Budget for the next financial year.

It says benefit claims are continuing to gradually rise on the Island – something driven by increasing pension claims.

The overall amount spent on benefits has risen in line with inflationary uplifts.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said: "We are allocating an additional £29.3 million budget to our pensioners and recipients of other benefits, supporting families, those who are in times of need and the elderly."

Child Benefit

Approximately 3,000 families who have more than one dependent child will have their Child Benefit increased.

Child Benefit, for the first or only child in a family, will be increased by 5.7 percent and for second, and subsequent children, it will be up by 60.3 percent.

Families with two children will receive up to an extra £12.05 per week or £626.60 per year.

Families with three children will receive up to an extra £22.60 per week or £1,175.20 per year. 

This is expected to cost around £2.36 million.

Maternity

Maternity Allowance, Adoption Allowance and Paternity Allowance will increase by 15 percent; maximum rates will rise from £210 to £241.50 a week.

The standard rate of Maternity Allowance will increase from £182.90 to £210.35.

Maternity payment will increase by 7.1 percent and will be a lump-sum of £750.

Bereavement

The Bereavement Support Payment will be increased by 6.7 percent.

Currently those that qualify get a one-off, lump sum payment of £3,500 plus weekly payments of £139.10 normally for up to 78 weeks. 

EPA, IS and JSA

Employed Person’s Allowance, Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance will increase by 5.7 percent. 

Treasury says despite concerns in the United Kingdom, around long-Covid claims, incapacity benefit claims have not risen on the Island.  

Sickness and Disability

Sickness and disability benefits are increasing but all by less than 10 percent:  

• Incapacity Benefit is increasing by 6.7%
• Carer’s Allowance is increasing by 6.7%
• Attendance Allowance is increasing by 5.7%
• Disability Living Allowance is increasing by 5.7% generally and 6.7% for those receiving the higher rate mobility component
• Nursing Care Contribution is increasing by 6.7%

Tynwald will vote on the Budget later today.

Find out more about this year's Budget and how it will affect you by clicking HERE.