Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

VI Gov’t launches COVID-19 Income Support Programme

VI Gov’t launches COVID-19 Income Support Programme

In another initiative to assist its people, the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has launched a COVID-19 Income Support Programme to support vulnerable individuals and families experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Social Development Officer and Programme Lead Coordinator, Ms Stacie T. Stoutt-James stated that the programme is a temporary cash transfer initiative that will offer support to those who have experienced a loss, reduction, or termination of employment due to the pandemic.

Registration opens June 28, 2021


Ms Stoutt-James, in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release on June 22, 2021, said: “We recognise that persons may need specific assistance so we have offered a few options in this regard. We would like that when registration opens on June 28, that persons have all the necessary documentation ready and at hand so they can either WhatsApp to assigned numbers, email or upload the same to complete their applications in a timely manner and incomplete applications will not be accepted.”

The COVID-19 Income Support Programme will offer two registration options, either through the VI Government’s Website or by telephone that will be open from June 28 to July 9, 2021, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The registration number will be forth coming in the coming days.

The COVID-19 Income Support Programme is being implemented by the Social Development Department under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, along with the World Food Programme and Caribbean Cellular Telephone (CCT).


Who are eligible?


Eligible persons must be VI Citizens, Belongers or valid Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption holders. In addition, applicants must meet the following criteria which is to be continually employed within the Territory from September 1, 2019 to March 11, 2020; be currently unemployed or underemployed which is less than 35 working hours; be available to work; be between the ages of 17 to 65; have not received assistance from the BVI Social Security Board Unemployment/Underemployment benefit; and have not received support through other government-led COVID-19 income support programmes, including support provided by elected representatives.

Programme partners


The COVID-19 Income Support Programme is being implemented by the Social Development Department under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, along with the World Food Programme and Caribbean Cellular Telephone (CCT).

The programme also includes support from the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Multi-Country Office.

Documents to provide


Applicants should submit the Termination of Service/Lay-off forms from their previous employer. If the form is not available, applicants should submit a termination letter or note including the contact information of the employer.

Self-employed applicants must be the only employee on the business payroll and not employ other persons. Self-employed applicants must submit a valid trade licence, in addition to any two of the following: the last three business receipts which demonstrate purchases related to their business from February to March 2020; any relevant association membership letter (such as BVI Chamber of Commerce); or any other documentation which demonstrates that they’ve worked in the relevant sector as a self-employed person (Certificate of Good Standing, such as SSB Certificate or Inland Revenue Certificate).

Informal workers are self-employed persons who are not on payroll, are not taxed and do not pay social security contributions. To be deemed eligible, applicants need to submit a notarised letter from a pastor or an elected representative indicating the type of business and period of operation.

Deputy Social Development Officer and Programme Lead Coordinator, Ms Stacie T. Stoutt-James stated that the COVID-19 Income Support Programme is a temporary cash transfer initiative that will offer support to those who have experienced a loss, reduction, or termination of employment due to the pandemic.


CCT donates 10 cellular phones to programme


Ms Stoutt-James thanked all the officers involved for the level of commitment they have already demonstrated, highlighting CCT Global Communications for the donation of ten (10) cellular phones with dedicated numbers which will be used in the registration process.

Eligible persons are encouraged to apply within the registration window and a dedicated registration team will be available to assist with the application process which will include Spanish-speaking operators. For more information, potential applicants should monitor the Government of the Virgin Islands portal - www.bvi.gov.vg, and follow the Government of the Virgin Islands on Facebook.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has already provided stimulus grants, both to businesses and individuals and food supplies during this pandemic. Other assistance has come in the form of a periodic waver in water bills, assistance with payment of electricity bills and reduced or delayed port fees and stamp duty waivers.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
Bessent Accuses China of Dragging Down Global Economy Amid New Trade Curbs
×