More than 54 000 receive first cost of living cash credit payments

More than 54 000 people have already benefited from the government’s cost of living cash credit, with $5.4m disbursed in the programme’s first round as authorities push to widen access across the island, the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) announced late on Friday.

The NISSS administered the payments to 54 300 eligible registered beneficiaries on Monday, said chief executive officer Kim Tudor.

The Cost of Living Cash Credit (COLCC) provides $100 per month for 12 months to eligible seniors and welfare recipients, funded from the Consolidated Fund and administered by NISSS on behalf of the Ministry of Finance.

She disclosed: “Of the total payments made, 29 976 were direct bank deposits and 24 324 were cheques mailed to beneficiaries. The payments covered NIS and public sector pensioners, special needs grant recipients, and seniors aged 65 and over without pension income.”

Welfare recipients received their April COLCC payments directly from the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA), she said.

“We said we would deliver and we did. Every eligible registered beneficiary received their $100 by direct bank deposit or cheque. This is NISSS doing what it has done for over fifty-eight years: honouring its commitment to the people of Barbados.”

As of Thursday, 1 189 people have registered for the COLCC, boosted by registration drives at the Speightstown Resource Centre on Queen’s Street, St Peter, and Social Empowerment Agency offices at Six Roads, St Philip, and Southern Plaza, Oistins, Christ Church.

Tudor added: “The COLCC is for every eligible Barbadian — not just those who live near Bridgetown. We are taking registration to where people are, and we will continue to do so until every eligible person has been reached.”

People can also check their eligibility and register online at colcc.nis.gov.bb. To register, a valid national photo ID is required, along with and a bank statement header for those who wish direct bank deposits.

NISSS has advised two groups to register urgently: un-pensioned people aged 65 and over who are awaiting pension approval, and those currently who will turn 65 between April 1 and March 31 2027.

“These groups are eligible to receive the COLCC from the month of their 65th birthday until March 2027,” the CEO said. “Persons who register after 20 April will receive their first COLCC payment — including any amount due for April — in the next payment cycle on 20 May 2026.”

The programme, which began at the start of the fiscal year from April 1 to March 31 2027, subject to ministers’ renewal.

(EJ)