The Government of Jersey has announced that one-off lump sum payments of £516.50 will be issued to eligible households in July 2026, bringing forward the Community Costs Bonus from its traditional autumn schedule.
Payment Changes
Previously paid in the autumn, the bonus has been moved to July for the past two years to help families cope with cost of living pressures as early as possible. The government confirmed this policy will continue in 2026, with eligible households receiving a single payment of £516.50.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility rules remain unchanged from 2025. To qualify, at least one adult must have lived in Jersey for a minimum of five years, the household's combined tax liability must be less than £2,735 for 2024, and no household member may be receiving Income Support. The government has allocated an estimated £2.466 million from existing departmental budgets to fund the scheme.
Automatic Payments and Application Process
Payments will be made automatically to claimants whose eligibility has already been confirmed. Others can begin applying from 14 July 2026. The government advises checking for a letter confirming automatic payment before submitting an application, as duplicate applications will be rejected.
Definition of Household
A household is defined as per Income Support rules: a person living alone, a couple (married or unmarried), or a family living together at the same address with children under school leaving age, still in full-time education, or job-seeking.
