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Beneficiaries of HoA Grants being transitioned to Public Assistance Programme

- in keeping with CoI Recommendations
The Social Development Department’s registration process for persons transitioning from the House of Assembly Grants to the Public Assistance Programme began on Monday, July 18, 2022. Photo: GIS/File
The three-month transition grant programme gives persons who were previously receiving assistance from House of Assembly members an opportunity to be assessed to determine eligibility for the Public Assistance or other services and programmes. Photo: GIS
The three-month transition grant programme gives persons who were previously receiving assistance from House of Assembly members an opportunity to be assessed to determine eligibility for the Public Assistance or other services and programmes. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Social Development Department’s registration process for persons transitioning from the House of Assembly Grants to the Public Assistance Programme began on Monday, July 18, 2022.

Another CoI recommendation being implemented

The process is in keeping with the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations to strip legislators of the ability to assist persons in the community.

According to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS), the purpose of the transition programme is to establish a single and coherent system of benefits, and to determine eligibility as a beneficiary of the Public Assistance Programme. 

Chief Social Development Officer, Mrs Annie Malone Frett said, “These are defining  moments for us here at  Social Development Department as we seek to streamline grants, improve transparency and accountability in every sphere of our mandate,  inclusive of  public funds, while ensuring  a seamless delivery of service based on the specific COI recommendations.” 

Assessment period

The three-month transition grant programme gives persons who were previously receiving assistance from House of Assembly members an opportunity to be assessed to determine eligibility for the Public Assistance or other services and programmes. 

According to the press release, applicants must meet at least be a Belonger, or holder of a Certificate of Residence; or married to a Belonger and living together with that person in the Virgin Islands; or responsible for the care of a dependent person who is a Belonger or resident. 

It said priority is given to vulnerable children, persons over 65, unemployed persons, and persons with disabilities. 

“We have identified, trained and stationed additional human resources to ensure that this transition period moves as smoothly as possible.  We encourage persons to start the process early if they are interested in being assessed,” Mrs Malone Frett said. 

The Transition Grant Programme is a temporary programme that will run from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

Benefits for ineligible persons cease @ end of September

Eligible applicants will be enrolled unto the Public Assistance Programme effective October 1, 2022. For persons who do not qualify for Public Assistance, benefit payments will stop at the end of September.  

Persons interested in applying for Public Assistance can do so by filling out an intake form that can be found via the web at https://bvi.gov.vg/services/social-assistance-programmes-public-assistance. Persons are also encouraged to contact the Social Development by email at socialdevelopment@gov.vg or by telephone at 468- 468 9372, 468-9352, 468-9373, or 440-3124 for more information. 

10 Responses to “Beneficiaries of HoA Grants being transitioned to Public Assistance Programme”

  • Time to pay up (21/07/2022, 12:16) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    Wen public servant will be getting their hard earn increment?
    • WHAT!!!! (21/07/2022, 12:28) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
      “wen” they learn how to spell correctly “hard earn”
      • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (21/07/2022, 13:43) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
        @ What!!!!
        You well understood what the person that spelt when wrongly. It was, and still is wrong to major on other person weakness . You showed no kindness character quality. You are a helpless self righteous person that is trying to score points on your neighbor's weakness.
        Nothing was wrong with the question that the person question, but more that one thing are wrong in you.
        No wonder why we are so divided against one another in the BVI. Are the UK, and the CoI are to be blamed for your inhuman kindness too?
      • Hmm (21/07/2022, 14:03) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        LIKE REALLY SMH
        WAT? WHAT
        WEN? WHEN
        YOU FULLY WELL UNDERSTAND STOP BEING DIFFICULT
  • Wat? (21/07/2022, 13:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wat about the rest of us elders who don't have Minister friends? Wat about us little people who are hungry and Social Security too small to feed us and pay electricity, internet, water and phone?? Why they treating old people like this? We paid in and getting tankie 10 cents back. Those retiring now get $2,000.00 per month! How a nation treats it old people tells you all you need to know. Guess you all do not realize, if God Wills it you too will be old one day and suffering for basics because no one cares. Just wait, it is coming faster than you think.
    • @wat? (21/07/2022, 14:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      $2000? I only get just over $1000.....
      • Wat? (21/07/2022, 20:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes, check it out!! Social Security needs to increase amounts paid to match what people retiring now are getting. People need to seek the truth and demand increases for the rest of us! Newly retired get $2,000. Those of us who retired 5 years ago getting $1,000. WTH?
        • really?? (22/07/2022, 10:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          You can only get out what you paid in. How much was your annual salary back then compared to new retirees? That's the problem with Tola - everyone into someone else business. If you know you cannot survive on what you are receiving get a part time job to supplement if you can. Or better yet, sell some of the land most people in Tola have and want to hold on to, but the Government must take care of them.
  • @@ WHAT (21/07/2022, 14:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I giess u were born 1944 there were no short hand, i 4give u.????????????????


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