[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Five Hundred Additional Clients Receive Government-Issued Pre-paid Cards
By Matt Maura, BIS
Jan 29, 2015 - 12:43:24 AM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

Cards.jpg
Ms. Liotha Whiley (left) and Mr. Melvin McKenzie were the first two recipients of Prepaid Cards during distribution Monday morning at the Fox Hill Community Centre for clients of the Fox Hill Centre, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Community Development. The pair was presented with the cards by Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- More than five hundred beneficiaries of the Department of Social Services' Food Assistance Programme were presented with their Pre-paid Cards Monday as part of the Government of The Bahamas' Social Safety Net Reform Project.

All other persons who have been certified eligible for assistance will be added to the new payment system at the end of February, 2015.

Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin said the Government of The Bahamas, cognizant of the fact that the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) on food items will impact the purchasing power of beneficiaries of the Food Assistance Programme, has made the decision to increase the rate of assistance by five per cent "to counteract this."

The Cards were first launched in November, 2014, at the Wulff Road Centre in what Minister Griffin has called "the single-most revolutionary intervention in the delivery of social assistance in our country in modern times."

The Fox Hill Centre becomes the second Centre to launch the new payment card -- a partnership between the Government and The Bank of The Bahamas.

Minister Griffin said the introduction of the reloadable card has many advantages for clients of the Department of Social Services/Ministry of Social Services and Community Development.

"The first and immediate advantage is that persons no longer have to come to the Centre at the end of each month and stand on a line, sometimes for hours, to collect a paper coupon," Mrs. Griffin said.

"Secondly, while the paper coupon specifies the establishment where it has to be redeemed, the card allows you to shop around as it can be used in any Food Store that accepts Visa Cards.

"Thirdly, the full value does not have to be utilized at one time as it allows for purchases to be spread out over the course of the month. Then there is the anonymity with the card so that beneficiaries are not readily identified and stigmatized."

Mrs. Griffin cautioned card beneficiaries that there are "some restrictions" associated with the utilization of the card, adding that the cards cannot be used in places other than food stores -- a list of which is provided.

"The purpose of the card is to ensure that persons have access to food, hence the card can only be used at food stores and not liquor stores, or clothing stores or any other kinds of stores. I can assure you that they will not work at any other establishment."

Mrs. Griffin said local authorities have instituted a mechanism by which to determine where and how the cards are being used.

"Please be aware that we receive reports on the usage of the cards and if you try to use the card at any place other than a food store, not only do we know who you are, we also know where you attempted to use the card and the amount you tried to spend. My advice therefore is to use it wisely for the intended purpose -- to provide food for you and your family.

"I am sure you will welcome this new system which will make your lives as well as the lives of the staff at the Centre that much easier. I implore you to keep your cards safe and use them properly," Mrs. Griffin added.

Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Latest Headlines
Junkanoo Summer Festival Is Back, Bigger and Better
ZNS Celebrates 86th Anniversary with Church Service
Doctoral degree posthumously conferred to Hon. A.D. Hanna by University of The Bahamas
Select Jif Peanut Butter Products Recall - Update
Dr. Rodney Smith confers final degrees as President and CEO of UB: asks graduates to take the next step with an open mind