Registration for income assistance almost open

The government of St Kitts and Nevis has announced that registration for a key policy promise will open next month.

The Team Unity government promised assistance to households earning less than EC$3,000 a month.

Registration for the scheme, which falls under the Social Assistance for Economically Challenged Households programme, is open from 1-5 August.

Speaking at a press conference, Prime Minister Timothy Harris said: “I record my appreciation to permanent secretary Beverly Harris and her team at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the team at the Department of Social Development for partnering on effecting an appropriate questionnaire that will provide the critical data undergirding the delivery of another major promise by Team Unity.”

The opposition are yet to respond to his comments but some supporters of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party have accused the prime minister of “dangling money” in front of people ahead of an election.

The Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs has identified 13 community centres to be used for registration. A full list of venues is expected to be released shortly.

“Where community centres are unsuited for the task, alternative venues will be provided,” said the prime minister.

Enumerators will be present in each of the community centres on St Kitts to help fill questionnaires that need to be completed by each household as a first step in the process.