Treasury to start accepting online benefits applications by end of 2023

Incapacity benefit pilot to take place in May before further rollout later in the year

Manx residents may be able to apply for some benefits online by the end of the year.

Treasury plans to trial a new system next month with a view to rolling it out later in 2023.

A Tynwald committee looking into the impact of poverty on the Isle of Man recommended a number of changes, in 2019 and 2021, including making the benefits system more accessible.

In an update, due to be laid before this month's sitting of Tynwald, Treasury has confirmed it's planning to open online applications for those in need of Incapacity Benefit by the of this year after a small group takes part in a pilot in May.

It's hoped other benefits, including Income Support, Employed Persons Allowance and Jobseekers' Allowance will also be able to be applied for online later this year.

All application forms are being reviewed.

Meanwhile a report is due imminently on Treasury's policy for setting benefit rates.

The committee had asked for the policy to include a proportional link to the Living Wage, and for the findings to be published by early 2022, but Treasury says the full review has not yet been completed.

Having held meetings with the chair of the Poverty Committee, Treasury now says it will be in a position to report back by spring 2023.

Of the 23 recommendations put forward by the committee, nine have so far been implemented, four will be able to progress after next year's survey on household spending, and work is ongoing on the remaining 10.