Financial assistance payments rise as support is extended
The number of people receiving financial assistance in 2025 dropped slightly but those getting support received more money as more benefits were allowed, according to a new report.
The Department of Financial Assistance annual report for the 2024-25 fiscal year said payments increased 5 per cent to $51.74 million between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
The report, released this week, said the average number of people who received financial assistance in 2024-25 was 1,977 a month, a slight decline from the 1,991 recorded the previous year.
The report said: “The 1 per cent reduction is mainly attributed to the decrease in the number of eligible persons under the categories ‘persons with disability’ [-9 persons] and ‘able-bodied unemployed’ [-27 persons].
“The decrease in the number of able-bodied unemployed were as a direct result of recipients securing employment opportunities.”
However, total expenditure for the financial assistance programme increased 3 per cent, or $1.59 million, as a result of reform measures that expanded the list of allowable expenses.
Rent continued to represent the most significant expenditure category, followed by health insurance, nursing home care and food.
Meanwhile, 260 children qualified for the child daycare allowance, compared with 158 in 2023-24, resulting in spending on the programme rising from $1.54 million to $2.48 million.
The report added that six people became eligible to receive the short-term relief benefit, which offers support payment of $1,500 a month for up to three months in the event of sudden hardship.
During the fiscal year, the department monitored 78,023 transactions for legislative compliance and reduced recoverable debt by 21 per cent, falling to $291,112.
As of last March, 37 cases had been referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for legal restitution and six cases were under review by investigative officers.
A government spokeswoman noted that in addition to the short-term relief benefit, the fiscal year also featured the introduction of a personal care allowance of $100 to provide financial support for clients in nursing homes or residential care homes to cover the costs of personal care and healthcare goods such as toiletries.
Tinee Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said: “The report underscores the Government’s firm commitment to strengthening Bermuda’s comprehensive social protection system.”
Ms Furbert added that the spending covered the financial assistance programme, the child daycare allowance programme, and the short-term relief benefit programme, which launched in July 2024.
She added: “Through strategic alignment of our objectives and performance measures, we are providing the people of Bermuda with clear evidence of the department’s success in generating public value.”
Applications for the short-term relief benefit are available online at forms.gov.bm/Departments/Financial-Assistance/Short-Term-Relief-Benefit-Application.
• To read the report, see Related Media
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