Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Dr. Adis King, has justified the objectives behind the establishment of the Social Cash Transfer Assistance programme. She explained that the programme was set up to help vulnerable Dominicans who have been impacted negatively by the coronavirus pandemic – especially low-income folks who lost their jobs to COVID-19.
She also noted that the programme is targeted at poverty alleviation, enhanced access to healthcare and quality education, as well as raising the standard of living for impoverished communities.
“It will also help us in alleviating some of the poverty, helping people get better access to health as well as education and we’ll also be able to mitigate the negative socio-economic impact that Covid-19 has had on the vulnerable families and individuals among us,” King said. “Most of these impacts were due to shutdown, curfew, loss of jobs, loss of income, maybe even reduction of income, so this money will surely go a long way in improving lives.”
Interested applicants were advised to register in one of three ways for the cash assistance programme, the minister said. Applicants can apply online, on the phone, and at designated centers. Those with successful applications will receive XCD 450 twice in two installments for two months, making XCD 225 per month.
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