Benefit law forces Jersey parents to return to work earlier

The law change means parents have to start job-seeking when their child turns three and starts nursery school

Parents on income support in Jersey will now have to start looking for work earlier to continue receiving benefits.

States members voted in favour of the law change meaning parents have to start job-seeking when their child turns three and starts nursery school.

In the past parents on income support did not have to look for a job until their child was five years old.

The change in legislation has also increased the rate of funding for childcare paid through income support.

The Social Security Department said it believed about 100 parents whose children will start nursery in September would be affected by the change.

Deputy Susie Pinel, Social Security Minister, said the change was to encourage people into work as parents now get 20 hours free nursery care for a year.

She said: "There are already 98% of children with parents on income support in nursery and all we are asking is that while the state is paying for their children to attend nursery, that they look for work."

The plans involve parents receiving support from specialist "Back To Work" advisers when the child goes to nursery.

The department said: "The child not only benefits from the experience of a nursery education, he or she also has a better chance of growing up in a household where parents are working and aiming for financial independence."