Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke has announced changes to the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer for the Vaccinated (CCTV) programme, which will pay an incentive of JM$10,000 to persons 60 and over who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

In a statement to parliament on Tuesday (June 8), Dr Clarke disclosed that the programme is now opened up to all persons 60 years and over given certain logistical challenge in policing the original income requirement of persons of $1.5M or less per annum.

Dr Clarke, who announced the CCTV programme in his budget presentation back in April disclosed at that time that, “the CCTV Grant would only be available to those senior citizens with an income of $1.5 million or less per annum”.

However, yesterday in parliament, the Finance Minister announced that the $1.5 million or less income requirement is being removed. He disclosed that, “the programme will be administered, digitally, using the CARE platform.”

Eligible seniors encouraged to apply for cash incentive

Persons 60 years and over and who are fully vaccinated as evidenced by the records of the Ministry of Health and Wellness are being advised to apply for the CCTV Grant starting July 15. To apply, persons aged 60 and over will need to log onto the platform at www.wecare.gov.jm and provide along with their first and last names the following:

1. TRN and/or their government issued Identification

2. Date of Birth

3. Mobile Telephone Number (to which they have access)

4. Email address

5. Vaccination Type and Batch numbers

6. Preferred method of payment – commercial bank account or remittance agency.

For those persons selecting bank accounts it is essential that the bank account selected is in the same name as the name inputted into the online application form and the vaccination card and that the account is active. On application, persons will be assigned a unique reference number.

This number is to be used to track the progress of their application, respond to any queries from applicants and for those applicants selecting a remittance company – to collect the grant once all validation is completed. Dr. Clarke reminded the nation that the WeCare website can be accessed via computer, tablet, or smartphone, as the website is zero-rated and does not require a data plan or credit to log onto.

Collection of cash grant

The Finance Minister detailed the means through which seniors can collect their cash grant pointing out that all applicants will be communicated with primarily through SMS Text messages and/or email and will be advised once their application has been validated and approved. There are two modalities for payment of the grant.

The first is through a valid commercial bank account. Applicants choosing this methodology must ensure that the name on the bank account chosen must be the same as the name on the electronic application form and on the vaccination card received from the Ministry of Health and that the account is not a dormant one.

The second means is through a recognized remittance company. Applicants choosing to collect their funds from the remittance company must ensure that they have a valid government issued identification and their reference number received on completion of their application on the wecare system.

For those applicants who are physically unable to get to the remittance company, third party collection will be accommodated. The third party must have in their possession at the time of collection; a signed letter of authorization stamped by a Justice of the Peace, the valid government issued identification of the applicant and their valid government identification.

Customer service queries will be handled by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s customer care team, which can be contacted at 1-888-4WE-CARE – 1-888-493-2273. Like the CARE Programme, Dr Clarke highlighted that the Auditor General’s Department will be asked to conduct concurrent audits meaning audits are being done while the CCTV programme is being executed and before each batch of payments is made.

Closer scrutiny of the CCTV programme

The Auditor General will have access to the system and all of its data and will be able to audit the eligibility, validation and other processes and produce their reports. These reports will be tabled in Parliament.

“We know from the experience with the CARE programme that this could slow down the actual payments however, the continued transparency and openness of the programme to the highest levels of scrutiny, will continue to provide public confidence in a fair and even-handed process,” the finance minister explained.