This information came from the Office of the Prime Minister, which disclosed that over $450,000.00 in all was disbursed. According to a release from the OPM, some 300 Saint Lucians received the one-time $1500.00.

“More than 300 Saint Lucian households each received a one-time $1500 payment as part of the post-COVID Income Support Programme. Since disbursements began on December 23, 2023, more than $450,000 has been paid out to more than 300 households. Each recipient was paid before Christmas Day…” the OPM release disclosed.

Equity Minister Henry has said the number of applicants is not as large as first anticipated. To close this gap, he says, the Ministry will embark on a public education initiative.

“By now, we’d expect to have some more persons applying. Some way or the other our people may find that the process of filling in the form is intimidating. Therefore, we will embark on a town-crier. We will go around and encourage people to apply. We’re talking about persons in the informal sector,” he explained.

To achieve this, he adds, social transformation officers and other public servants will be used. “We have asked our 10 social transformation officers to head to all constituency offices to speak to empower persons to apply. This will involve all permanent secretaries and Heads of Departments and other civil servants to empower them to engage persons.”

Thousands in the informal sector lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these informal workers slipped through the cracks and did not benefit from previous income support programmes.