Get in touch – it’s for your own benefit

Certainly the first reform proposals came before the States in 2012 and returned a year later.

That they were rejected and the process restarted under the SWBIC banner meant taking a different route. The destination, however, has always been clear.

In just four weeks’ time the island will arrive at journey’s end with the implementation of the Income Support system.

For many pensioners, single parents and struggling families it will mean a fundamental shift. A single welfare benefit scheme will replace rent rebate and supplementary benefit as the States seeks to deal equally with those living in social housing or the private sector.

For most it will be an improvement. For some it will be a massive boost. Examples quoted by Employment & Social Security estimate that a working couple with two young children could be better off by £4,000 a year.

Likewise, a single pensioner with limited earnings and savings living in social housing could be £2,200 better off.

Among the major benefits for those who qualify for Income Support are free medical cover and winter fuel allowance.

So when 3,000 letters went out to households in April and May advising of the changes there will have been many people who were not only relaxed but eager to get going.

That, however, will not be everyone’s experience.

ESS cite another family unit (a couple with one worker and five children under 11 living in a three-bed social housing) who could be £3,500 worse off.

And an OAP with both a UK and occupational pension could lose out by £1,700.

It is people like that who ESS are desperate to talk to. Despite years of build-up, letters, open days and helplines there are islanders in social housing who may be struggling to make ends meet but have not contacted ESS to ease the transition.

Unless they do, their rent is about to go up to the full, unsubsidised level.

The impact of that can be reduced with a three-year staggered rise.

But only if they get in touch before it is too late.