Eligible applicants will receive a onetime payment of $1500 per household for the Income Support Programme 2023 which began September 13, 2023, and will run for six weeks, the ministry of equity, social justice and empowerment announced.

The rollout is accredited to the latest Income Support Programme (ISP) 2023, under the project titled “Safety Nets for Vulnerable Populations Affected by the Coronavirus”.

The project is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and administered through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

According to the ministry of equity:

“The main aim of the Income Support Programme is to provide much-needed financial assistance to households/persons from the informal sector who not only continue to experience the lingering challenges of COVID-19, but also did not benefit from any cash transfer programs.”

The programme is aimed at people who became unemployed or momentarily received no salary because of prolonged illness due to COVID-19, and households applying on behalf of a child/ward aged 12 and under whose parent/guardian’s demise was deemed a COVID-19 death or COVID-19-related death.

“The Income Support Programme 2023 underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind as we navigate the aftermath of the pandemic. This programme is a testament to the ministry’s mandate of ensuring the overall welfare of our citizens,” noted Dr Charmaine Hippolyte-Emmanuel, permanent secretary attached to the ministry of equity, social justice and empowerment.

“The rollout for the Income Support Programme 2023 which began on September 13, 2023, will run for six weeks.”