"This Government remains committed to providing support that enables members of our community to meet their basic needs," said Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward. "On occasion, this requires the benefits afforded to Financial Aid recipients be assessed and at times increased to better reflect the cost of living in Bermuda to support over 2,000 recipients on Financial Assistance which include seniors, disabled, low-earners and abled-bodied recipients."
To that end, the public will recall Minister Hayward's announcement in the House of Assembly that as part of Financial Assistance Reform, amendments made to the Schedule of the Financial Assistance Regulations 2004, titled the Table of Allowable Expenses, will increase the benefits provided to financial aid recipients.
Last amended in 2014, the cost of living has increased tremendously, and the Table of Allowable Expenses no longer meets the needs or adequately supports those most vulnerable in our community. Following an extensive review to determine the level of assistance required to lessen the burden for recipients of financial assistance, the Ministry wishes to remind the public of some areas where increases will improve the lives of families receiving financial assistance.
- The rent allowance for a 1-bedroom accommodation will increase by 24% from $1,450 to $1,800;
- The disability allowance will increase by 15% from $650 to $750 per month;
- Funeral expenses will increase by 33% from $3,000 to $4,000;
- Nursing home rates will increase by 20% from $5,000 to $6,000 per month, and
- Rest home allowance will increase by 25% from $4,000 to $5,000 monthly.
Other notable allowance increases were for electricity, food, eye care exams, podiatry services, telephone and water fees, and others to support mental health issues and transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
The Ministry also wishes to remind the public that applications for the new, improved child daycare allowance are available from the Department of Financial Assistance. The income categories and maximum monthly allowance that may be granted to an eligible child are as follows:
Category 1: Anyone with an annual gross household income of $65,000 or less may qualify for a maximum monthly allowance of $900 per child.
Category 2: Anyone with an annual gross household income of $65,001 up to $97,000 may be eligible for a maximum monthly allowance of $700 per child.
Category 3: Anyone whose annual gross household income is $97,001 up to $130,000 may be eligible for a maximum monthly allowance of $500 per child.
These benefit increases were anticipated to commence on 1 October 2023. Regrettably, due to the recent government cyber incident, the Department of Financial Assistance is unable to access systems, which has resulted in payment delays. As a result, once systems are restored, financial assistance clients and vendors are provided the following payment timelines: Existing financial assistance clients will be paid amounts similar to September 2023 payouts by 6 October 2023. The difference that was due from the 1 October increases will be processed by 23 October 2023. Payments to new clients will be processed on or before 16 October 2023.
Lastly, a 4.5% rate increase across all financial assistance clients in the category of food allowance took effect on 1 June 2023. This timely increase benefitted all individuals on financial assistance to ensure rates better reflect Bermuda's increased cost of living.
The Ministry of Economy and Labour used the Department of Statistics' Consumer Price Index for a basket of goods and services to determine the increase. As a result of food rates already being increased this year, there were no additional increases on 1 October 2023.
Minister Hayward explained, "Earlier this year, a review of the Department of Statistics Consumer Price Index for a basket of goods and services highlighted the immediate need for several key increases to ease the burden of inflation and positively impact those vulnerable persons and families currently receiving financial assistance. And so, the Government of Bermuda took the necessary steps to provide these much-needed increased benefits, and we will continue working to improve their quality of life and support all Bermudians in their time of need."