Public assistance grants to be increased
Public assistance grants are set to rise following a Cabinet approval to ease the financial burden on vulnerable families, Health Minister Vincent Wheatley announced in the House of Assembly.
Wheatley stated that the adjustment would offer “much-needed relief” to those facing increased living costs.
“This government is acutely aware of the financial pressures confronting many families, particularly the most vulnerable in our society,” he explained.
The revised public assistance programme will see increases across all categories, with single-person grants rising from $200 to $320, while families of five will receive $1,000, up from $375. The grant for persons with disabilities will increase from $225 to $495, and the elderly will see their assistance rise from $337 to $506.25.
“These increases are representative of yet another step in addressing the financial burdens many people face,” Wheatley stated, adding that the annual cost of these adjustments is estimated at $1.72 million.
The increases, approved by Cabinet on February 5, 2025, are designed to be “directly tied to the actual cost of essential needs,” providing “a more substantial and impactful support system for our most vulnerable residents,” Wheatley explained.
Recipients will see a partial increase in early March, followed by the full adjustment at the end of the month. Wheatley assured the public that beneficiaries would be formally informed of the changes, with measures in place to ensure the continued equitable distribution of funds.
While the House has already approved amendments to the Public Assistance Amendment Act, Wheatley noted that full implementation is pending the completion of necessary regulations.
“The Ministry anticipates that these regulations will be completed by the end of the first quarter, ensuring a robust framework for public assistance moving forward,” he said.
The increase comes amid growing calls for more support for low-income families as the cost of living continues to rise. According to a recent report, many residents struggle to meet basic needs such as food and housing.
Wheatley emphasised that the adjustments are part of a broader commitment by the government to provide social protection measures that are “responsive, adequate, and reflective of the real cost of living in these Virgin Islands.”
The Social Development Department will monitor the impact of the revised grants and provide updates to the Ministry for further submission to Cabinet. “This will allow for continued oversight, accountability, and responsiveness to the evolving needs of our population,” Wheatley noted.
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WHEN YOU ALL RAISEX YOU ALL SALARIES , DIDN’T YOU ALL THINK ABOUT , EVERYBODY ELSE ? LIKE INCREMENTS / PENSIONERS ETC , OR IS JUST ABOUT YOU ALL WANNABE ARISTOCRAT’S ? HOW ABOUT THOSE “ISLAND PEOPLE THAT YOU AMD THE DREW DOUBLE TAXING USING MONEY GRAM AND LEAVING AL-YO BUDDIES THE EMPLOYERS WHO IS LEFT UNTOUCHED TO CONTI UE EXPLOITING ” OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS , YOU ARE A WICKED MAN, BUT KARMA TOOK CARE OF THE ONE IN MIAMI , YOUR TURN BEHIND / HYPOCRITE WITH THE TRICKY SMILE , WHICH IS NOTHING BUT FAKE
I continue to ask but you are to coward to answer- Every legislator voted for that increase with moneygram but why is it that you consistently holding The Rep from VG as the only prson? Well its because you have a grudge and cant find anything else of substance. You are a ugly bitter person inside and out.get a life no one is buying your bull spit.
The territory is on its way to becoming a welfare state…..a mendicant society.
To me this is trying to put a band aid on the real problem by giving away more money. The increased financial burden on government is going to make government have to generate more money. The way governments make more money is more tax. Apart from the disabled and the elderly the real question is why so many people can’t provide for themselves and would be in a substandard condition without assistance. Yet you delaying increasing the minimum wage and dragging foot on consumer protection.