COVID-19 Relief Frequently Asked Questions

The Social Security Covid-19 Emergency Relief fund is available to:

• Persons who were laid off
• Persons who were made redundant
• Persons employed with reduced hours
• Registered self employed persons adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic

If a person’s reduced hours earnings exceeds EC$ 1000.00, he or she does not qualify for the payment.

If a person resigns voluntarily, he or she does not qualify for the payment.

With the enforcement of the Emergency Powers Regulations, movement of persons has been restricted.  The well-being and safety of everyone is priority.  Therefore, the application process does not currently allow for the completion of a physical form and interaction with employees of the Department of Labour and Social Security.

There are two ways in which a person can apply:

• By completing an online application form at socialsecurity.kn and emailing the application form to dolcovid19@gmail.com on St. Kitts and labourdept@nia.gov on Nevis
• If a person does not have access to the internet, call the following numbers:

1. 662 2075 Department of Labour
2. 667 2535 Social Security
3. 762 1099 Nevis Department of Labour

Self Employed applicants are to submit forms to covid19@socialsecurity.kn

The online application process began on Saturday 4^th April, 2020.

Letters from employers confirming proof of lay off, redundancy and reduced hours are to be submitted as part of the application process.  The Department of Labour has received some letters prior to the enforcement of the Emergency Powers Regulations.  Currently, the employers are providing this information to facilitate the application process. 

Please note that submission of these letters is MANDATORY and persons will be contacted to submit at an appropriate time.

If you are laid off between 1 to 90 days (3months), you are still employed by the company, but in a laid off capacity. You should therefore answer “yes” confirming that you are employed and then proceed to tick the “laid off” box.

Applicants would receive up to EC$ 1000.00 provided that you are laid off, have been made redundant, or an adversely affected self employed person.

Persons whose hours have been reduced and he or she is earning less than EC$ 1000.00, the difference will be paid to equal the sum of EC$1000.00.  For example, if a person is earning EC$ 500.00 from reduced wages, EC$ 500.00 will be paid from the fund.  If your reduced wages or salary exceeds EC$ 1000.00, you are not eligible for the payment.

The first payment will be made on 20^th April, 2020.  It will be paid mainly by direct deposit to bank accounts. Cheques will be issued if a person does not have a bank account.

No CASH payments will be made.

If you are in receipt of some Social Security benefits, you may not be eligible to receive the grant.  This is dependent on the type of benefit you are receiving.  Contact Social Security for further guidance.

All working persons who are registered with Social Security and whose income is adversely affected by Covid-19, can access the fund.

All registered self employed persons whose income is affected may qualify for the grant.