The Governor has assented to the Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The amendment seeks to update the 2013 Act by creating a comprehensive range of assistance including basic income grants, hardship allowances and shock response grants.

Governor Daniel Pruce said “This is a big step forward towards supporting the most vulnerable people in the Virgin Islands. It also represents a vast improvement to the previous grants systems and goes toward addressing the COI recommendation to reform legislation to allow a fairer more equitable system”

Governor Pruce continued, ”I welcome Cabinet’s commitment to continue to improve legislation in this area so it meets international best practice as well as introduce a wider Social Protection system based on the UNICEF and Social Policy Research Institute Review of 2022. A modern welfare system should benefit the people of the Virgin Islands for many years to come.”

Hon. Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development said “The recent changes to the Public Assistance Act will revolutionise the way we provide social assistance in our community. These amendments will allow us to better support and serve the most vulnerable members of our population.   As Minister of Health and Social Development, I with the support of my team, remain committed to championing unified social protection services as we strive towards a future that's more inclusive, resilient, responsive and full of hope.”