Financial Assistance Bill 2022

This Bill intends to repeal the Poor Persons (Relief) Act (1997 Revision), provides for the procedure in respect of applications for and the issuance of financial assistance; and provides for a financial assistance Appeals Tribunal and connected purposes.

If Parliament passes the Bill, upon commencement of the legislation the name of the Needs Assessment Unit will be the Department of Financial Assistance.

The Bill:  

• defines the functions of the Department (currently the Needs Assessment Unit) and its duties, a standard feature of legislation.
• confirms who is eligible for Government’s financial assistance, namely, to Caymanians, spouses of a Caymanian or guardians of a Caymanian dependent, all of whom must be resident on island during the time of the application and at least eight of the twelve months preceding the application.
• adopts a more holistic approach to individuals who are receiving Government’s financial assistance, including the introduction of conditions that will be attached, in particular for households with adult members who are able to work.
• builds in necessary transparency and accountability for decisions, including dealing with grievances and a new appeals tribunal, as well as the protection of personal information.
• enables Cabinet to create associated regulations for implementation of the legislation, after it is assented to by Parliament.

The Bill enables Cabinet to create associated regulations for implementation of the legislation, after it is passed by Parliament.  Among other criteria, these regulations are likely to cover:

• The number of working days in which the Department will process complete applications;
• Exemptions for emergency circumstances;
• Consideration for transitional services (i.e. during the transitional period after employment has been obtained); and
• Specific provisions with respect to varying household sizes, as well as issues related to household composition (such as older persons living with their adult children; people with disabilities) to align with the Cayman Islands Older Persons Policy and Disability Policy. 

The new legislation forms one part of an overall reform and modernisation agenda to create meaningful and measurable changes in Government’s involvement in social development in the Cayman Islands, and more broadly to work collaboratively with community partners in overcoming existing barriers and hurdles. 

The legislation will enable Government to engage with potential recipients of financial assistance, as well as those who are approved to receive the assistance, with greater accountability and transparency via the new Department for Financial Assistance. 

Public comment on the Financial Assistance Bill is invited directly via email: mofsd@gov.ky

The Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development will acknowledge receipt of your email.  The deadline to respond is  14 September 2022.

Responses will be treated confidentially but may be published on an anonymous basis (without identifying personal information).  Responses may also be shared internally in the Ministry and with other relevant Government entities for purposes of policy development.