A three-month transitional grant programme will be implemented by the Social Development Department (SDD) for monthly grant recipients referred from the House of Assembly.
This was revealed by the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon Penn during a Monday morning press conference.
The new arrangement is part of the National Unity Government’s Framework for Implementing the Commission of Inquiry Recommendations.
Minister Penn said during the tenure of the programme each recipient will be evaluated to determine whether any elements of fraud exist among some of the applicants.
Penn also said that the SDD will be checking to ensure that each applicant falls in line with the specifications of the categories outlined in the Public Assistance Act of 2013.
According to the Act, for an applicant to qualify they must fall into at least one of three categories.
Penn said once individuals fall outside the needed criteria, their benefits will be stopped immediately.
Meanwhile Chief Social Development Officer Ms. Annie Malone-Frett explained that this week will be the last of beneficiaries receiving their grants directly from the House of Assembly.
She revealed that a total of 362 persons presently receive grants from the House of Assembly.
Malone-Frett also disclosed that cheques will now be available for collection during the final week of each month during the three-month period.
She revealed the locations for collection on each of the islands.
On Tortola, it will be the Treasury Building which is located in Fish Bay, Skelton Bay Lot, Building 12, while on the sister islands of Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dkyke, the collection of cheques can be done at the respective district offices.