What is the objective of the program?
The program will provide temporary income support to eligible vulnerable individuals and families who have experienced a loss or reduction of income and consumption due to the negative impacts of COVID-19 quarantines, curfews, and shutdowns. The program is designed to help address basic needs including food, health, education, and other necessities.
Which are the groups supported by this program?
Groups prioritized under this intervention are:
Existing beneficiaries of the Public Assistance Programme (PAP)
Eligible senior citizens (between the age of 60 and 69) and persons with disabilities who are not registered on the PAP and are not receiving other types of financial support
Other vulnerable groups as approved by the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica including eligible fisherfolks and/or fish vendors and small craft vendors and/or producers
What are the criteria to apply?
PAP beneficiaries (group 1) DO NOT need to apply and will be automatically included in the program. They will receive two top-ups of XCD 225 for a period of two months for a total value of XCD 450. The top-ups will be given on the same day and through the same payment channels of the regular delivery of PAP benefits (e.g. bank transfers, cheques, or cash).
All other groups (groups 2-3) described above must meet one or more of the following qualifying conditions:
• Be ineligible to receive assistance under other COVID-19 response programs including the Employee and Small Business Programme, the Self-Employed Individual Grant Assistance, the Agriculture Crop, and Livestock Support, and the Direct Farm Support Cash Grant
• Not be receiving financial support through other social assistance programs
Priority will be given to applicants who, in addition to the conditions above, meet other eligibility criteria including the number of dependents and family composition, the total family income, and other vulnerabilities (e.g. gender, social status, disability, and age).
How do I apply?
There are three ways in which applicants can apply: on-site registration, on the phone or through an online application form. These are explained below:
On-site registration
The application process runs Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, from the 14th to the 25th of September (inclusive). To register, applicants are required to visit their nearest registration facility as per the schedule below (Communities without village councils can travel to the nearest communities or to Roseau to complete applications):
At the registration, applicants will need to present a form of identification, if available, such as a passport, fisherman’s ID, social security card, birth certificate, driving license or other. Applicants will also need to provide the contact information of an official who can verify their application (full name, telephone number and her/his email address). Recommended officials are:
- Village council personnel (Chairman / Clerk)
- Justice of the Peace
- Social Welfare Officer
- School Teacher or Principle
- Pastor
- Nurse
Phone registration
Applicants can call our hotline numbers and speak to an operator who will collect their information on the phone: Tel. 616 3473, Tel. 613 7325, Tel. 612 8420, Tel. 612 8446. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, from the 14th to the 25th of September (inclusive). Applicants will need to provide details of a form of identification, if available. They will also need to provide the contact information of an official who can verify their application (full name, a telephone number and her/his email address). Recommended officials are:
- Village council personnel (Chairman / Clerk)
- Justice of the Peace
- Social Welfare Officer
- School Teacher or Principle
- Pastor
- Nurse
Applicants can also register online at the following link: https://ee.humanitarianresponse.info/x/8JZhYrOd . The process and requirements of verification are the same as the other forms of registration (on-site and phone). In the online registration form you will be required to upload a picture of your identification document, if available, and to provide the contact information of an official who can verify your application (full name, a telephone number and her/his email address). Recommended officials are:
- Village council personnel (Chairman / Clerk)
- Justice of the Peace
- Social Welfare Officer
- School Teacher or Principle
- Pastor
- Nurse
What happens after I register and when will I know if I am selected?
Once the registration process is completed, applicants will be scored according to the eligibility criteria and vulnerabilities described previously. The most vulnerable individuals and families identified through this process will be first verified through their nominated official. This could take up to 1-2 weeks. If the verification process is successful, selected beneficiaries will be informed and included into the programme. Non selected beneficiaries will also be notified of the results of the selection process.
How much will I receive?
Assistance will be provided in the form of cash transfers for a two-month period, with benefits totalling approximately XCD 450 per month. Benefits will be disbursed based on the payment method selected by the beneficiaries at the time of registration. Selected beneficiaries can nominate an alternate person to redeem the benefits on their behalf.
How do I ask a question, make a complaint or suggestion?
Should you have any queries, complaints or feedback or request further information on the COVID-19 Response: Social Cash Transfers Assistance Programme, you can:
- Visit socialprogramme.dominica.gov.dm and read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Email us at: dominica.covid19.cashtransfers@gmail.com
- Call, WhatsAPP or send a text to: Tel. 612 9010, Tel. 612 8509
- Visit the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment offices in Roseau
- Visit your local village council
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