October 24, 2017: The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services wishes to advise and remind the general public that grant funding is available to persons who are affected by flooding and other natural disasters, as well as man-made disasters like fire. These grants are outlined below:
- Housing Assistance/Repairs Grants to a maximum of $20,000.00 for persons who may require housing repairs due to destruction to their homes following a natural disaster.
- A Household Grant to a maximum of up to $10,000.00 to assist with the replacement of household items lost as a result a natural disaster. These items include:
- Temporary Food Support valued at $550.00 is provided where food items were lost/destroyed.
- School Supplies Grant which is valued at $700.00 for Primary Schoolers and $1,000.00 for Secondary Schoolers respectively, to replace school supplies which are lost as a result of a natural disaster.
- Counselling and psycho-social support are available to families and individuals in distress as a result of a natural disaster, from the National Family Services Division (NFSD), which is located at 95 -97 Frederick Street, Port of Spain (at the Law Association Bldg. opposite Elections and Boundaries Commission). Contact the NFSD at 794-7483 or 784-5583.
The public is also reminded that the procedure for flood relief funding includes needs assessments which will be conducted by the Regional Corporations and this information will be communicated to the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, where verification will quickly take place to provide the necessary relief.
Persons may also contact the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services’ Hotline at 800-1MSD or any of our Social Welfare District offices and via the Ministry’s Facebook Page for further information and clarification.
While the Ministry is unable to replace all that has been lost at this time, it remains committed to assisting in restoring some level of normalcy to flood victims and their families.
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