Ministry Of Social Services and Urban Development
1. ENTITY AND INITIATIVE
The Government of The Bahamas Ministry of Social Services and Urban Renewal Program, which includes Rental Assistance, Food Assistance, Medcare Assistance and Utility Assistance.
2. BENEFITS, PROCESS and REQUIREMENTS
(A) Rental Assistance Program
Benefits
Successful applicants are entitled to receive a minimum of $1,200.00 and a maximum of $1,800 maximum. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Eligibility
Process
Make application in person at one of the following Outreach Centres:
1. Horseshoe Drive/Pitt Road, Oakesfield - Tel. (242) 322-7121/5
2. Wulff Road Centre, National Insurance Building - Tel. (242) 356-9391-
3. Robinson Road Centre, Alexander House - Tel. (242) 397-2524
4. Fox Hill Centre, Park Plaza - Tel. (242) 364-2200
5. Disability Affairs, Collins Ave - Tel (242) 325 2261/2
Applications may also be made via e-mail, by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. (see below)
A SSR conducts a preliminary interview to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
SSR conducts a home visit and a recommendation is made about eligibility.
The applicant will be contacted and informed of eligibility.
Supporting Documents
(a) For Citizens:
Valid Government ID, Passport or Voter’s Card for the applicant and spouse
National Insurance Card
Passport or Birth Certificates for dependent children
(b) For Non-Citizens:
Permanent Residency Certificate or Spousal Permit.
National Insurance Card
Passport or birth Certificates for dependent children
A valid letter from the landlord stating the amount of arrears.
In addition, the applicant must provide the following:
A valid letter from the landlord stating the amount of arrears or payable
An actual rental agreement (must have proof of rent/lease)
Landlord banking information for payment of rent owing
With respect to email applications, the email must be sent to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. In the email, include your date of birth, NIB number and a number you can be contacted at, and state that your circumstances is due to the impact of COVID-19, and whether you have been laid off, disengaged or are on reduced days. You must also attach:
a job letter indicating you are on reduced work hours
a copy of your NIB card
a copy of your Passport ID pages.
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
(B) Food Assistance Program
Benefits
Under this program, persons are entitled to receive $150.00 - $200.00 every two (2) weeks via a food coupon or directly deposited to your bank. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Eligibility
Process
Complete application online by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. or in person at one of the following
Outreach Centres within your residential boundaries:
1. Fox Hill Centre, Park Plaza - Tel. (242) 364-2200
2. Pitt Road Centre, V.B. Munnings Building - Tel. (242) 326-1850
3. Wulff Road Centre, Sunshine Plaza - Tel. (242) 604-4200
4. Robinson Road Centre, Alexander House - Tel. (242) 397-2524
A Social Service Representative (SSR) conducts a preliminary interview to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
SSR conducts a home visit and a recommendation is made about eligibility.
The applicant will be contacted and informed of eligibility.
Family Island applicants may apply for services at the local DOSS sub-office on the island where they are domiciled or they may apply online. The SSR will contact them in order to implement steps to assess their eligibility for this service.
The Application Form is the General Assistance Form (GAF), which may be completed online by the applicant or in-office by the SSR at the Outreach Centre.
Supporting Documents
(A) For Citizens:
Valid Passport
Valid N.I.B. Card.
Current Pay Slip or Job Letter or Termination Letter
Birth Certificate/ Affidavit or Valid Passport of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and Proof of Guardianship
Marriage certificate and similar documents of identification for spouse, as indicated above
Divorce decree or legal separation documents to verify status
Doctor’s letter, if unable to work due to ill health.
(B) For Non-Citizens:
Valid Passport.
Proof of Citizenship/Permanent Residency.
Valid Work Permit.
Birth Certificate of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and proof of Guardianship
Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal separation documents, where applicable
Doctor’s letter, if unable to work due to ill health.
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
(C) MedCard Assistance
Benefits
A MedCard provides a means for families to access medication and medical services. A MedCard provides the bearer with BS$100.00 daily allowance in services namely for medication, x-rays, blood works; over BS$100.00. Medical Cards may be used at all satellite clinics under the Department of Public Health inclusive of the Family Islands’ Clinics. If the applicant does not qualify for the MedCard, he/she may qualify to receive financial assistance or emergency financial assistance. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Eligibility
Process
Applications may also be made online, by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. or by visiting the Health Social Services (HSS) Division of the Department of Social Services/Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and making a request.
An interview is conducted with the applicant
A financial needs assessment is then conducted
Based on the outcome of the assessment, a recommendation is made either to receive a MedCard or receive financial assistance
Family Island Social Services Office may assess and refer clients however, MedCard is only issued from HSS/PMH office
There is no application form for this service.
Supporting Documents
A requisition and letter of referral from the attending physician, Princess Margaret Hospital.
Copy of prescription.
Government issued photo identification (example valid passport, driver’s licence, voter’s card).
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
(D) Utility Assistance – BPL and Water & Sewage Utilities
Benefits and Eligibility
This Assistance provides a means for persons to pay outstanding utilities bills that are in arrears due to the impact of COVID-19 on their employment position and income. The items covered under this financial assistance include payment of electricity and water bills. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Process
Supporting Documents
Passport
Permanent Residency Document
National Insurance Card
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
3. QUESTIONS
Please send all questions or queries to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs.
or call the National Hotline numbers: (242) 322-2763 or (242) 422-2763. For further assistance.
The Government of The Bahamas Ministry of Social Services and Urban Renewal Program, which includes Rental Assistance, Food Assistance, Medcare Assistance and Utility Assistance.
2. BENEFITS, PROCESS and REQUIREMENTS
(A) Rental Assistance Program
Benefits
Successful applicants are entitled to receive a minimum of $1,200.00 and a maximum of $1,800 maximum. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Eligibility
- Persons earning minimum wage or lower
- Bahamian Citizen or permanent resident
- Over the age of 18
- Head of the Household
Process
Make application in person at one of the following Outreach Centres:
1. Horseshoe Drive/Pitt Road, Oakesfield - Tel. (242) 322-7121/5
2. Wulff Road Centre, National Insurance Building - Tel. (242) 356-9391-
3. Robinson Road Centre, Alexander House - Tel. (242) 397-2524
4. Fox Hill Centre, Park Plaza - Tel. (242) 364-2200
5. Disability Affairs, Collins Ave - Tel (242) 325 2261/2
Applications may also be made via e-mail, by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. (see below)
A SSR conducts a preliminary interview to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
SSR conducts a home visit and a recommendation is made about eligibility.
The applicant will be contacted and informed of eligibility.
Supporting Documents
(a) For Citizens:
Valid Government ID, Passport or Voter’s Card for the applicant and spouse
National Insurance Card
Passport or Birth Certificates for dependent children
(b) For Non-Citizens:
Permanent Residency Certificate or Spousal Permit.
National Insurance Card
Passport or birth Certificates for dependent children
A valid letter from the landlord stating the amount of arrears.
In addition, the applicant must provide the following:
A valid letter from the landlord stating the amount of arrears or payable
An actual rental agreement (must have proof of rent/lease)
Landlord banking information for payment of rent owing
With respect to email applications, the email must be sent to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. In the email, include your date of birth, NIB number and a number you can be contacted at, and state that your circumstances is due to the impact of COVID-19, and whether you have been laid off, disengaged or are on reduced days. You must also attach:
a job letter indicating you are on reduced work hours
a copy of your NIB card
a copy of your Passport ID pages.
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
(B) Food Assistance Program
Benefits
Under this program, persons are entitled to receive $150.00 - $200.00 every two (2) weeks via a food coupon or directly deposited to your bank. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Eligibility
- Persons who have insufficient or no income to provide for their basic needs can access MONTHLY food assistance. This service provides food coupons or Bank of The Bahamas VISA Pre-paid Cards which may be used at selected supermarkets in New Providence and the Family Islands. There are two types of MONTHLY food assistance:
- Temporary Food Assistance (TFA) for applicants ages 18 to 64 years, with or without dependents, up to 6 months; and
- Permanent Food Assistance (PFA) for applicants ages 64 years and older, with or without dependents, up to 12 months.
Process
Complete application online by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. or in person at one of the following
Outreach Centres within your residential boundaries:
1. Fox Hill Centre, Park Plaza - Tel. (242) 364-2200
2. Pitt Road Centre, V.B. Munnings Building - Tel. (242) 326-1850
3. Wulff Road Centre, Sunshine Plaza - Tel. (242) 604-4200
4. Robinson Road Centre, Alexander House - Tel. (242) 397-2524
A Social Service Representative (SSR) conducts a preliminary interview to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
SSR conducts a home visit and a recommendation is made about eligibility.
The applicant will be contacted and informed of eligibility.
Family Island applicants may apply for services at the local DOSS sub-office on the island where they are domiciled or they may apply online. The SSR will contact them in order to implement steps to assess their eligibility for this service.
The Application Form is the General Assistance Form (GAF), which may be completed online by the applicant or in-office by the SSR at the Outreach Centre.
Supporting Documents
(A) For Citizens:
Valid Passport
Valid N.I.B. Card.
Current Pay Slip or Job Letter or Termination Letter
Birth Certificate/ Affidavit or Valid Passport of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and Proof of Guardianship
Marriage certificate and similar documents of identification for spouse, as indicated above
Divorce decree or legal separation documents to verify status
Doctor’s letter, if unable to work due to ill health.
(B) For Non-Citizens:
Valid Passport.
Proof of Citizenship/Permanent Residency.
Valid Work Permit.
Birth Certificate of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and proof of Guardianship
Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal separation documents, where applicable
Doctor’s letter, if unable to work due to ill health.
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
(C) MedCard Assistance
Benefits
A MedCard provides a means for families to access medication and medical services. A MedCard provides the bearer with BS$100.00 daily allowance in services namely for medication, x-rays, blood works; over BS$100.00. Medical Cards may be used at all satellite clinics under the Department of Public Health inclusive of the Family Islands’ Clinics. If the applicant does not qualify for the MedCard, he/she may qualify to receive financial assistance or emergency financial assistance. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Eligibility
- Persons with insufficient means to follow through with medical treatment recommended by a physician.
Process
Applications may also be made online, by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. or by visiting the Health Social Services (HSS) Division of the Department of Social Services/Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and making a request.
An interview is conducted with the applicant
A financial needs assessment is then conducted
Based on the outcome of the assessment, a recommendation is made either to receive a MedCard or receive financial assistance
Family Island Social Services Office may assess and refer clients however, MedCard is only issued from HSS/PMH office
There is no application form for this service.
Supporting Documents
A requisition and letter of referral from the attending physician, Princess Margaret Hospital.
Copy of prescription.
Government issued photo identification (example valid passport, driver’s licence, voter’s card).
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
(D) Utility Assistance – BPL and Water & Sewage Utilities
Benefits and Eligibility
This Assistance provides a means for persons to pay outstanding utilities bills that are in arrears due to the impact of COVID-19 on their employment position and income. The items covered under this financial assistance include payment of electricity and water bills. There are no fees associated with this initiative.
Process
- Applications may be made online by sending an e-mail to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs. or in person at one of the DOSS Outreach Centres
- The application form is completed by SSR
- A needs assessment and home investigation are then completed
- The SSR then makes a recommendation based on the findings.
- The applicant is informed of the recommendation made about whether or not (s)he qualifies for the service.
Supporting Documents
Passport
Permanent Residency Document
National Insurance Card
Deadline - There are no deadlines for this service.
3. QUESTIONS
Please send all questions or queries to socialservicesapp@bahamas.gov.bs.
or call the National Hotline numbers: (242) 322-2763 or (242) 422-2763. For further assistance.