Minister On Supplemental Unemployment Benefit
[Updated] Minister of Labour Jason Hayward is holding a press conference today [Aug 20], and we will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
The Minister said that as the unemployment benefit comes to an end, the Government is aware that many in our community still need assistance, so they created the Supplemental Unemployment Benefit which is for Bermudians, and spouses of Bermudians who do not qualify for the financial assistance programme, yet still require financial assistance from the Government. The Supplementary Unemployment Benefits program is scheduled to run until March 31, 2021.
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 7-minute replay is below
Update 2.53pm: Minister Hayward said, “Good day to members of the media and the listening public. Thank you for your attendance and for watching this press conference.
“As many of you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unemployment for thousands in our community, due to no fault of their own.
“In March, when the Government began implementing safety measures to protect the people of Bermuda, we also immediately implemented the 16-week unemployment benefit to support families during this unprecedented time.
“Now, as the unemployment benefit comes to an end, the Government is aware that many in our community are still in need of assistance. To address this, the Government has created the Supplemental Unemployment Benefit and allocated funds to financially support individuals who remain in need.
“To be clear, the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit is only for Bermudians, and Spouses of Bermudians who do not qualify for support through the Department of Financial Assistance, yet still require financial assistance from the Government.
“To confirm eligibility for the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit, applicants must undergo a means test administered by the Department of Financial Assistance. But, it must be noted that the eligibility requirements for the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit are different from Financial Assistance, and determinations will be made based on individual merit. It is important to note that ineligibility for Financial Assistance does not mean a person will not be eligible for the Supplementary Unemployment Benefit.
“When applying, individuals need only submit one application to the Department of Financial Assistance. If an individual has already applied for Financial Assistance, no further application is required.
“All Supplementary Unemployment Benefit recipients will receive payments monthly. Those recipients who already have health insurance will receive a flat monthly payment, while persons without Health Insurance will receive their health insurance premium in addition to their flat monthly payment.
“The Supplementary Unemployment Benefits program is scheduled to run until March 31, 2021, and, as per the requirements for persons on any kind of government financial assistance programme, beneficiaries must immediately notify Government when commencing any form of employment.
“Lastly, in speaking with members of the public, I understand there is some confusion regarding the application process. To clarify, I will walk “through the process step by step.
- 1. Individuals wishing to apply must first collect an application from the Department of Financial Assistance, located on the first floor of Global House, 43 Church Street, Hamilton.
- 2. If you are unable to collect an application, you may contact the Department of Financial Assistance Hotline at 297 7867 to make alternative arrangements.
- 3. The application must be taken away and 100% completed to be considered for assistance.
- 4. Once filled out, the application and any necessary documents must be submitted to the Department of Financial Assistance mailbox located on the first floor of Global House.
- 5. All applications received will be vetted and applicants will be notified of their status accordingly.
“If your application is successful, you will begin receiving the approved monthly award payments using a cashless system that deposits the payments directly into your bank account. Thank you.”
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Perhaps we could create work for these people so that they can feel productive even if it is something as simple as helping with our charities or trimming trees. Maybe they have certain skill sets that we can utilize so that our money is well spent and they maintain some dignity.
charity work?! basically give them jobs?? .. its a pandemic dumb &&%$
Another ******* handout?! I know of 3 people who are sitting back and taking a check from Government with no worries in the world! They moved in with their parents and smoke weed that we helped pay for!
Thanks PLP!
Any assistance should require the recipient to at least do work for tax payers!!!
I agree
Here is a suggestion since the road crews can’t keep up with all of the overgrown trees and weeds on the side of the roads get person who are on unemployment assistance to join in and assist in cleaning up the road sides. With this program at least government is getting some value for money being spent out. It’s quite simple no work no assistance.
And there we have it. Bermuda now has the “welfare” reforms that the PLP has always promised.
This is just for the election. You do know that.
I missed the part where Senator Hayward said that this was only temporary
No we don’t. This is not what was promised, this is a stop gap to garner votes for the election, it will then disappear, as we don’t have the money to pay for it. Can’t even page govt workers without robbing the peoples pension fund of money.
The “people’s pension fund” (the Government Employees pension fund) has been bankrupt for decades. That is not news. Sir John Swan told us that we did not have enough money to fund civil service pensions back in the 1990s. We are not “robbing” it, we are simply making a bad position worse by ignoring the issue.
Minister jason Hayward,
How can you say this is not financial assistance when you have to fill out all the paperwork for financial assistance just to get approved the only thing that is missing is the job search papers to fill out….
This is disappointing
Yes it’s a good thing to help the unemployed but why through financial assistance and why is it necessary to fill out all of financial assistance’s paper work if this is has nothing to do with financial assistance…why do we have to fill out financial assistance papers?
This supplementary unemployment assistance should have it’s own papers to fill out. Not 7 papers to fill out of financial assistance’s papers this is ridiculous
Something about this whole supplementary unemployment assistance and going through financial assistance is not making any sense to me.. so basically those who apply are basically applying for financial assistance with no hassle or will it be a hassle since this is financial assistance we are dealing with.
And also for everyone who is applying, there is no guarantee that they will be eligible and or be approved… since like I said before this is financial assistance we are dealing with
Or is it just me who sees or feels like something just ain’t rite about this?
Signed
Suspicious