The Public Assistance Program (PAP) has received XCD 25.9 million dollars which will be allocated towards helping members of the public who are placed under public assistance.
The Program is implemented by the Ministry of Equity to serve the poor and vulnerable. The Ministry of Equity assess households and families and once they qualify, they receive monthly cash payments from the government.
Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment Joachim Henry disclosed at a press briefing on Monday 22nd May, 2023 that to date there are a total of three thousand six hundred (3600) persons on the program.
He says he is very pleased that the government has allocated an increase in funds which allows more persons to be on the program.
The minister added that there is a graduate strategy in place that will be taken to cabinet today to get approval in order to get persons off of public assistance, therefore, allowing more persons to get on.
“Our graduation strategy includes using some of the windows of support like the micro-enterprise, the MSME, the Belfund, you know using the Tevet where we can provide persons with training. People are asking to be trained so that they can seek employment.” he shared.
He says the cash component ranges from $200 – $400 depending on the size of the household and the issues surrounding the households and their vulnerability.
Henry says the concern of persons becoming dependable on assistance does not worry him as he has witnessed the willingness of persons on the program in seeking a better life and not remain content in their current situations.
Photo: Media Stock
