The Jamaican government has activated its social protection mechanisms to assist families grappling with funeral expenses for relatives lost to Hurricane Melissa. Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr has confirmed that affected citizens can apply for financial support through the ministry’s longstanding Rehabilitation Programme.
While the program operates year-round to assist vulnerable populations, Minister Charles Jr acknowledged a significant surge in applications directly linked to the hurricane’s devastation. The ministry has consequently secured supplementary funding to meet the anticipated increase in demand, as the standard annual allocation for rehabilitation grants has already been depleted.
The funeral grant scheme, established by a Cabinet decision in 1972, provides an average payout of $80,000 JMD per approved case. Eligibility and the level of support are determined through a detailed assessment process. The criteria differ based on the deceased’s status as a contributor to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). For NIS contributors, the grant amount is influenced by their specific contribution category and history. However, Minister Charles Jr emphasized that non-contributors are not automatically disqualified and may still receive assistance following a compassionate evaluation of their circumstances.
To apply, individuals must visit a parish office of the ministry or access forms online via www.mlss.gov.jm. The application requires substantial documentation, including an official proof of death (such as a death certificate or burial order), the undertaker’s invoice, and proof of any pension payments received after the date of death, which must be returned. For claims based on a spouse’s contributions, a marriage certificate or proof of a common-law relationship is also mandatory.
The program’s scale is considerable; official data from a 2024 presentation revealed that in 2023 alone, the initiative distributed 3,729 grants valued at over $207.76 million JMD, underscoring its critical role in Jamaica’s social safety net.