Non-contributory Benefit Rates for 2026

The States are asked to decide:

Whether, after consideration of the Policy Letter entitled ‘Non-contributory Benefit Rates for 2026’, dated 7th October 2025, they are of the opinion:

1. To set the income support requirement rates at the rates set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the Policy Letter, from 9th January 2026.
2. To set the income support limits of weekly income for people residing in residential homes, nursing homes, EMI (dementia care) accommodation, and the Guernsey Cheshire Home at the rates set out in Table 3 of the Policy Letter, from 9th January 2026.
3. To set the personal allowances payable to persons in Guernsey and Alderney residential or nursing homes who are in receipt of income support and to persons in United Kingdom hospitals or care homes who are in receipt of income support at the amounts set out in Table 4 of the Policy Letter, from 9th January 2026.
4. To set the maximum rent allowances, for income support purposes, at the amounts set out in Table 5 of the Policy Letter, from 9th January 2026.
5. To set the supplementary fuel allowance at £42.42 per week, from 31st October 2025 to 30th April 2026.
6. To set the rate of family allowance at £18.40 per child, per week, from 5th January 2026.
7. To set the rates and annual income limit for severe disability benefit and carer’s allowance at the rates and limit set out in Table 7 of the Policy Letter, from 5th January 2026.
8. To set the payment tariffs under the Mesothelioma Compensation Scheme at the rates set out in Appendix 2 of the Policy Letter, from 1st January 2026.
9. To amend the legislation set out in paragraph 9.5 to make all benefit-related offences triable in either the Magistrate’s Court or the Royal Court.
10. To set the maximum penalty for all benefit-related offences under the legislation set out in paragraph 9.5 at seven years’ imprisonment.
11. To remove the specified limits on the penalties that may be imposed in the Magistrate’s Court in respect of benefit-related offences under the legislation set out in paragraph 9.5.
12. To repeal the Employment of Immigrants (Control) (Guernsey) Law, 1974.
13. To direct the preparation of such legislation as may be necessary to give effect to the above decisions.