Tag: social welfare
NAU offers more resources under new policies
(CNS): As the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) prepares to morph into the Financial Assistance Department and new legislation providing for Cayman’s future welfare needs is rolled out, the Ministry of Social Development has implemented a series of enhancements to financial assistance programmes to provide better support.
Welfare overhaul won’t be easy, warns minister
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government is preparing for the implementation of new laws governing welfare support next month, including the transition of the Needs Assessment Unit into the Department of Financial Assistance. However, Social Development Minister André Ebanks has warned that it will take time for the changes to have an impact and it “won’t […]
Welfare reform to roll out after years of neglect
(CNS): Cabinet has approved new regulations that pave the way for the launch of the Department of Financial Assistance later next month (replacing the Needs Assessment Unit) and a complete transformation in the way the Cayman Islands handles welfare support. The Financial Assistance Regulations, 2023 and the Financial Assistance (Appeals) Regulations, 2023 were rolled out […]
Volunteers wanted to oversee welfare appeals
(CNS): The social development ministry is looking for five volunteers with experience and qualifications to sit on the Financial Assistance Appeals Tribunal, a new public body that will hear and determine appeals against decisions made by the Department of Financial Assistance under the new law. Officials said the tribunal will comprise a qualified lawyer as […]
Minister aims to create welfare-to-work regime
(CNS): Social Development Minister André Ebanks says the fundamental reforms he is planning to steer through Parliament next month will create a new regime in which many people currently receiving financial help from the government will transition into permanent employment and self-sufficiency. At the same time, it will offer more support for those not able […]
New bill to overhaul future of welfare support
(CNS): Less than sixteen months after taking office, the minister responsible for social welfare has presented a new bill to overhaul the public assistance regime and create a new system to help the most vulnerable in the community. The Financial Assistance Bill, which repeals the existing Poor Persons (Relief) Law, is now open for public […]
New welfare law will mandate need to work
(CNS): A government policy maker has indicated that when the new law dealing with financial support for those in need finally reaches Parliament next year, it will include a mandatory requirement for able bodied people to enter the workforce and find a job. At a Public Accounts Committee hearing last week, the former and current […]
Welfare problems neglected for years
(CNS): The report released by the Office of the Auditor General yesterday highlights the last government’s neglect of the welfare system throughout its time in office. Over two administrations, the PPM failed to develop appropriate policies, leaving the departments that deal with those in need in a perpetual state of crisis management.
Gov’t budgets $100M for welfare support
(CNS): Although government has budgeted around CI$100 million for payments to those in need, it may still not be enough to meet the demands likely to be placed on the Needs Assessment Unit over the next two years. During Finance Committee, MLA Kenneth Bryan (GTC) pressed government over why it was allocating a very similar […]
NAU identifies trend of ageing customers
(CNS): The director of the Needs Assessment Unit, Tamara Hurlston, told the Public Accounts Committee that her team had noticed a trend of increasing numbers of elderly people coming to them for help, especially indigent medical support, as meagre private sector pensions fail to stretch to the costs of health insurance.
Social welfare plan taking shape, say officials
(CNS): The Ministry of Community Affairs has said that the work it has been doing over the past year or more is beginning to inform a strategic plan for the country’s social welfare programmes. Just days before officials from the ministry and various departments, such as the Needs Assessment Unit, are due to appear before the […]
