Guernsey pension rise among benefit proposals

Pensions may be among the benefits to rise by 3.6% if the States of Guernsey agrees to proposals for the 2012 rates.

If agreed, pensioners will get an extra £6.44 a week, with a full rate pension increasing from £179.69 to £186.13.

Other contributory benefits, including sickness, unemployment and bereavement would also rise by the same percentage.

The proposals, which go before the States in September, also suggest a 2.6% rise in supplementary benefit.

The Social Security Department has also recommended a £45 increase to the overall benefit limitation from £405 to £450 per week.

In its report it found about 75 families on supplementary benefit were receiving less than they needed due to the benefit limitation.

The department said the proposed change would mean that 45 of those families would receive what they needed.