As the Government continues its efforts to ensure that limited social protection resources reach those most in need, the Welfare Unit of the Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons has commenced a comprehensive reassessment of all Public Assistance Programme (PAP) beneficiaries and persons on the programme’s waiting list, effective September 15, 2026.

The exercise is aimed at ensuring that PAP assistance continues to reach Saint Lucia’s poorest and most vulnerable households and that the programme’s beneficiary information remains accurate and current.

Specifically, the recertification will:

· Determine whether existing beneficiaries continue to meet the eligibility criteria for assistance;

· Update household, contact and other relevant information in the PAP beneficiary registry;

· Reassess persons currently on the PAP waiting list;

· Identify beneficiaries whose circumstances have improved and who may be able to transition out of the programme; and

· Provide updated information to support appropriate social interventions and referrals for vulnerable households.

The last PAP recertification exercise was conducted in 2023. The current exercise will utilize the Saint Lucia National Eligibility Tool (SLNET), with Welfare Officers and designated enumerators visiting households to collect updated client information. Eligibility will be determined through an automated assessment based on the information provided.

The exercise will also include persons currently on the PAP waiting list, including applicants who have already been assessed but await placements due to budgetary constraints.

According to Welfare Unit Deputy Director Jahn McFarlane, the reassessment is critical to ensuring that limited social protection resources are appropriately targeted.

“This is a very important exercise because it allows the Department to update the information used to guide policy decisions. People change telephone numbers and addresses, and household composition can also change. Having accurate, current information enables us to better target the assistance and interventions needed to support poverty reduction,” McFarlane said.