Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: The Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs updated the citizens about the application process for the Poverty Alleviation Programme, according to which about 9094 applications have been fully completed by the closing period of the application process and has been accepted to be reviewed further.
Meanwhile, no new or incomplete applications will be considered following the closure of the application period. The move has been implemented, keeping in mind the oversubscribed nature of the programme.
The next stage of the review process laid its focus on the eligibility criteria of the household earnings, less than XCD $3000/ month. As per the records, about 8985 applicants have been deemed eligible on the basis of self-reported earnings. Further scrutiny of the employment and income status of the eligible applicants will continue, being assisted by the Social Security Board.
With the Federal Cabinet’s approval, the following households will receive the benefits of the Poverty Alleviation Programme:
1: The Households are headed by Seniors, i.e. persons aged 62 and above and identifying themselves as the main applicant of the benefit during the registration period.
2: Households with disabled citizens as their head, who have identified them as the main applicant for the benefit
and indicated them of being disabled.
3: Households with minor children- who are unemployed and employed persons who identify them as the main applicant, with households containing children aged less than 18. The priority will be given to households with minor children.
Further updates reveal that the first payment cycle of the programme will be made to households being headed by seniors and persons with disabilities only by February 6, 2023. The future payments to the additional categories will be completed by the last working day of each month, including February 2023.
Meanwhile, the Department of Community Development and Social Services will carry on with the verification of the application details of the eligible applications to complete the review process for the payment of additional persons by February 28, 2023.
