27,357 Jamaicans to Receive Cash Grants Under COVID-19 Assistance Programme

• Approximately 27,357 Jamaicans will receive a one-off $16,000 payment under the COVID – 19 Cash Assistance programme. 
• The $155.0Mn cash transfer initiative, is aimed at aiding poor and needy persons, who are not benefiting from Government social assistance. This will in turn contribute to an improvement in private consumption and consequently, economic recovery. 
• The United Nations World Food Programme, through the Canadian Government, provided a grant to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to undertake the initiative. The Ministry will oversee the equitable distribution of the funds. 
• The cash distribution is being facilitated by WiPay (Jamaica) Limited, through its network of outlets across the island. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, said that the use of WiPay will increase efficacy in the distribution of the funds and facilitate greater levels of accountability. He further added that it allows for greater flexibility and greater accountability because the system is one that makes provision for automatic audit.

(Sources: JIS News & NCBCM Research)