Hundreds flock to register for $300 solidarity allowance

Hundreds of people have been queueing at post offices across the island to register for the government’s $300 solidarity allowance, with many expressing both gratitude and scepticism with the deadline fast approaching.

The one-off, tax-free payment was announced by Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn, during the Budget speech on March 10. He said the allowance would be extended to thousands of citizens following stronger-than-expected corporate tax revenues for 2024.

According to Straughn, every Barbadian or legal resident aged 18 and over, and those who have contributed to the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) within the past year, would be eligible.

All social security contributory pensioners, non-contributory pensioners (including recipients of the Special Needs Grant), individuals receiving invalidity benefits, and welfare clients also qualify for the payout.

Those who have not worked or contributed in the last year and fall outside the stated categories are still eligible to apply at designated post offices. These individuals have until 30 June to register, and an appeals process will be available for those with concerns or disputes.

When Barbados TODAY visited several of the listed post offices, numerous people were observed lining up to register for the funds. While many were reluctant to discuss the purpose of their visit, a few acknowledged they were there to enquire about the allowance and how to access it.

One woman expressed scepticism, saying, “There’s always something behind things like that, when you get it.” She questioned the origin of the funds, suggesting it felt like a ploy to recover money through taxes.

Another woman, who accompanied a friend, expressed her appreciation, noting that the $300 would go a long way towards covering monthly expenses.

Her friend, clearly grateful for the assistance, said: “I think it came at the right time, because after all those shows that we spent all that money for the foreigners, you know, we’re here and it’s very hard-especially going to the supermarket when you have kids. So the $300 could do a grocery in Popular, so I’m very thankful for it.”

She added: “I appreciate the government and I wish we could get some more.”

She also shared that the application process was simple.

A staff member at one of the post offices confirmed that while some people were still unsure about the procedure, the process had been running smoothly overall.

At the General Post Office in Bridgetown, there was a long queue of people, there mostly to register for the solidarity allowance. A separate section was cordoned off to ensure regular postal operations continued without disruption.

One woman told Barbados TODAY the payment should be larger: “It should be more, with how things going. Everything going up — food, you can’t afford nothing. I does be sorry for some people. I’m a poor person, I try my best.”

“Even if it was about $500, it would help a lot of people,” she added.

One man commended the government’s initiative: “I think it’s a good thing, giving back to the people. It’s something.”

Postmaster General Joann Busby issued a statement on the registration process for the allowance, saying, “Here at the General Post Office, we’ve been seeing very large crowds coming to avail themselves of the service. This is testimony to the importance of the accessibility of post offices and their locations across Barbados as a hub for members of the community to access critical services provided by the Government of Barbados.”

(LG)