From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Department of Social Services: Protocols for accessing Assistance
By Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development
Aug 30, 2017 - 2:22:06 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The Department of Social Services (DOSS) wishes to remind the public of its established protocols for accessing various forms of assistance from their office.

Persons requiring assistance are asked to apply at the Community Support Outreach Centre nearest to their residence in New Providence or the Family Islands. New Providence Centres are located on Horse Shoe Drive, in the V. Munnings Building, Wulff Road, in the NIB Office Building, Fox Hill, in the Davis Building opposite Fox Hill Park and Robinson Road, in the NIB Office Building at Montell Heights.

The Food Assistance Programme

The Department of Social Services' Food Assistance programme is ongoing and over ten thousand (10,000) persons receive this assistance on a monthly basis. Persons who qualify are provided VISA Prepaid Cards which permit them to shop at various supermarkets with a degree of dignity. This could not be done previously with the food coupons because the coupons were restricted to use at one supermarket on a particular date, and no balances could be left on the coupons for future use.

School Uniform and Footwear

The process for clients to apply for assistance with uniform and footwear to students of the various public schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands commenced in July.

All prospective clients and their households must be assessed for eligibility. The applicant must be eighteen (18) years or older, a citizen of The Bahamas and produce identification and supporting financial documents.

Assistance to The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI)

The Department has provided assistance to underprivileged adults in New Providence and Grand Bahama to obtain certification from the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute in various fields of endeavour.

The DOSS is processing applications from persons who have applied for assistance with school fees to BTVI for the 2017 Fall Semester.
 
It should be noted that the Department is currently reviewing its protocols of providing ongoing assistance to students of BTVI, to ensure that it remains within its overall budget allocation for 2017-2018.
 
The DOSS wishes to apologize to the RISE clients of the Wulff Rd. Centre for any inconvenience they may have experienced due to RISE cards not being loaded with funds. It is expected that this matter will be rectified shortly, however, in the interim RISE clients are requested to contact their assigned Social Worker or the Centre Manager at the Wulff Road Centre for assistance.

The public is encouraged to contact the main office of the Department of Social Services in the Sunshine Plaza on Blue Hill Road at telephone numbers 604-4200 or 604-4201 for further enquiries or clarification on any of its programmes.



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