National Social Development Programme (NSDP)

The National Social Development Programme is a social intervention that provides mechanisms for eligible citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to improve their standard of living and quality of life through the provision of grant services to improve the infrastructure and physical living conditions of their dwelling homes in the areas of minor structural repairs, improvement to sanitary plumbing facilities and electrical wiring installations

The Programme seeks to specifically target the poor and vulnerable groups in society including but not limited to; senior citizens, persons with disabilities, unemployed persons and single parent households.  

The Programme offers the following grants:

  • Minor House Repair Assistance (MHRA)
  • Materials for Sanitary Plumbing Assistance (SPA)
  • House Wiring Assistance Facility (HWA)

 

The National Social Development Programme provides: 

  1. Minor House Repair Assistance (MHRA) Grant: The MHRA is intended to provide up to $15,000.00 in materials only for the repair / upgrade of dwelling houses and up to $20,000.00 in material only to effect repairs / upgrades in the effect of a disaster. 
  2. Sanitary Plumbing Assistance (SPA) Grant: The SPA Grant is intended to provide up to $15,000.00 in materials only under normal circumstances and in the event of a disaster for the repair / upgrade of toilet and bathroom facilities for the dwelling house. This grant also allows for the upgrade of outdoor toilet facilities (outhouses / latrines) to indoor facilities, where space permits.
  3. House Wiring Assistance (HWA) Grant: The HWA Grant is intended to provide assistance as follows for the wiring or rewiring of dwelling houses under normal circumstances and in the event of a disaster which has impacted the electrical wiring of the house.

 

  • First Time Wiring – This includes persons who are and have been occupying an existing abode, but have not had such dwelling previously wired as well as new construction.
    • Rewiring – Applicable in instances where the existing electrical wiring is old and faulty and may pose fire risks. It therefore seeks to improve the safety and reliability of existing electrical installations.
  • Materials Only Assistance –Up to $15,000.00
    • Material and Labour Assistance – Up to $25,000.00 where materials shall not exceed $15,000.00 and labour shall not exceed $10,000.00

 

NOTE: These grants are NOT provided for commercial enterprises and grants are paid directly to the supplier / service provider.

Criteria

  • Financial eligibility criteria – Application of a Standard Means Test (except for victims of disaster)
  • Property Ownership criteria – Applicants must have ownership and or authorization to occupy the property for which the application for assistance is requested. Acceptable proof of ownership / authorization documentation include:
    • Land Deed / Certificate of Comfort / Land Tax Receipt in the applicant’s name
    •  Letter of Authorization from the Land/House owner along with copies of the ownership documents and the owner’s national identification
    • Non Objection Letter from the Land Settlement Agency, Commissioner of State Lands or any other State agency which has responsibility for the property in question.

Documents Required

  • Valid National Identification Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Proof of Address: Recent Utility Bill
  • Proof of Income for all applicable members of the household – Job Letter/Payslip/Bank Statement, NIS letter, etc.
  • Proof of Property ownership documents
  • Quotation for materials  
  • Disaster Victims Only: Fire Report / Letter from Regional Corporation.

 

NOTE: All NSDP (non-disaster) and SEED applicants MUST undergo a Standard Means Test (SMT)

The Standard Means Test which is available on the Ministry’s website can be completed by the applicant however financial eligibility for the grant is only confirmed upon verification of the information and supporting documents by the Ministry’s designated personnel.

For more information, please contact

National Social Development Programme
Head Office

2nd Floor, #45A-C St. Vincent Street,
Port of Spain
623-2608 ext. 1501 – 1517

Email: nsdp@social.gov.tt

Scroll to Top