The rollout of the Government of Saint Lucia’s latest Income Support Programme (ISP) 2023, under the project titled "Safety Nets for Vulnerable Populations Affected by the Coronavirus" is set to begin.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, the project is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and administered through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

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 set criteria takes into consideration:

1. Non-NIC Contributors who:

• lost their source of income because of COVID-19, or
• became unemployed or momentarily received no salary because of prolonged illness due to COVID-19, and  
• did not benefit from any previous COVID-19 support programs i.e., Economic Relief Programme (ERP) or Income Support Programme (ISP) in 2020.

2. 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 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.

For Criterion A1 - applicants must upload a letter of redundancy or any other proof of income loss or redundancy due to COVID-19.

For Criterion A2 - applicants must upload a medical certificate or a letter from a doctor stating illness due to COVID-19. 

For Criterion B - applicants must upload the birth certificate of the child or children and the death certificate of the parent or guardian who died due to COVID-19 as well as means of verification of guardianship or parenthood.

Eligible applicants will receive a one-time payment of $1500 per household.  The rollout for the Income Support Programme 2023 begins Sep. 13 and will run for six weeks. To apply, visit https://www.cognitoforms.com/GITS1/GOSLIS2. The deadline for submission of completed application forms is Oct. 30.

Applicants can also access internet services at the ICD Centers in Garrand, Monchy, Anse La Raye, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort and Micoud between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on the Programme, contact the Ministry of Equity via telephone number 1.758.468.5108 or email at pssec.equity@govt.lc.