Food Support Programme
The Food Support Programme is a short-term food assistance and development programme that targets vulnerable persons and families in need. Recipients can purchase basic food items necessary to meet their daily nutritional requirements, thereby enhancing the health and dignity of their household and reducing the incidence of poverty. The programme is currently implemented through a Debit Card, (the Food Support Card) which is an electronic cash transfer facility.
A condition of this programme is that ALL recipients must, unless otherwise advised, join a Developmental Programme. This Developmental Programme is a more holistic approach to poverty alleviation which takes into consideration conditions that confines the family’s effort to move out of poverty.
It provides families in extreme poverty with access to critical services, facilitating their access to services relevant to their needs. It seeks to empower the household to improve their quality of life.
Who should apply?
- The programme targets families in need and other vulnerable persons with limited or no income.
- A Means Test is administered by the Ministry to determine eligibility.
How to apply?
Applicants are required to provide the documents listed below and participate in an interview with an Officer. Officers are also required to make visits to verify the information provided.
What documents do I need?
Applicants are required to bring the following documents:
- Two (2) recent passport sized photos, National Identification Card and Electronic Birth
- certificate for the applicant (with pin number)
- Birth certificates for all members of the applicant’s household;
- National Identification Card for all persons 15 years and above in the applicant’s
- household;
- ALL recent utility bills (telephone/internet, water electricity, and cable)
Income and expenditure statements must be provided for the applicant and each member of the applicant’s household (a person sharing the same dwelling and having at least one meal). Recent documents, as listed below, must be provided where applicable:
- Personal declaration of income;
- Recent cheque stub from Social Assistance Grants (e.g. Disability Assistance Grant, Public
- Assistance Grant, Senior Citizens’ Pension) if in receipt of government assistance;
- Job letters, pay slips and NIS numbers, if employed;
- Recent savings statement from a bank, credit union or other financial institution such as the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation;
- Rent receipt, if a person is a tenant;
- Mortgage statement, if a homeowner;
- Proof of property rental, if a landlord;
- Land tax receipt, if a land owner;
How much money is available in a Food Support Card?
The Food Support Card has three (3) amounts available based on the size of the family unit:
| 1 – 3 persons | $510.00 |
| 4 – 5 persons | $650.00 |
| 6 + persons | $800.00 |
The Ministry reserves the right to immediately remove clients from the Food Support Programme, who no longer satisfy the requirements of the Programme.