The Government of Saint Lucia acknowledges that supporting the poor and vulnerable is a prerequisite to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth and development and that Social Protection is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966). The Constitution of Saint Lucia also makes provision for the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and for protection from discrimination while the National Social Protection Policy establishes Human rights-based arguments for Social Protection that are grounded in the articles of various international covenants and conventions, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons and others.

The Government is therefore dedicated to addressing the needs of all vulnerable populations and is committed to creating an enabling environment in which the poor and vulnerable can function and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country. Acknowledging Social Protection as a key policy tool for addressing poverty, inequality and social exclusion and, in-keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals , the Government of Saint Lucia has also fully expressed its commitment to inclusive Social Protection, ensuring that no-one is left behind that that no-one is discrimination against based on age, religion, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, sexual orientation or other status.

Recognizing that an effective Social Protection System capable of generating synergies requires a policy and legislative strategy along with robust but flexible programmes and interventions, the Ministry has strategically designed the Social Protection component of the Human Capital Resilience Project to support and advance continued efforts at tackling poverty and vulnerability, while, at the same time, strengthening inclusive social development and promoting equitable economic growth.

Social Protect Initiatives

The Financing Agreement of the Project mentions that “Cash Transfers” refers to the monthly monetary support provided to PAP Beneficiaries, which may include transport and childcare subsidies, among others, in accordance with the PAP. Transport and childcare subsidies can be considered eligible expenditures only when they have been included in Saint Lucia’s legal framework and the Association determines as acceptable (e.g. the design and implementation arrangements for these subsidies are acceptable). Currently, child care and transport subsidies are not defined in Section I: The Public Assistance Programme of the “Policy and Operational Manual for the Assessment and Payment of Public Assistance, Ageing and Social Protection Services.” The Association will exclusively finance Cash Transfers expenditures that are clearly defined in Saint Lucia’s Legal Framework and that the Association deems acceptable, which must be confirmed in writing.

The Cash Transfers that the Association will finance are for the PAP beneficiaries that are deemed eligible with SL-NET 3.0 or its successor thereto acceptable to the Association.

Persons who request public assistance through cash transfers go through an Assessment Process as detailed below.

1. Clients are interviewed during a process called Intake. A standardized form is used and relevant questions necessary to determine their need for assistance are asked.

2. The client information is then assessed for eligibility for assistance using SL-Net 2.0. It intended that SL-Net 3.0 will be used as of the review period in March 2020.

3. A score is assigned which categorizes the client as:

(1) Indigent;
(2) Poor; or
(3) Non-Poor.
Clients who are categorized as indigent and poor are the population who are considered for approval for cash transfers. Home visits are conducted to ascertain living conditions and form a part of the report for review for approval.

4. If a client is approved for cash transfer, he/she will be further processed for payments to begin. Payments are made via financial institutions or directly on a monthly basis. Payments are made based on the number of persons in the household. The amount paid is within the range of $215 to $465.

5. Clients who receive cash transfers also get assistance with medical and eye care and burial costs. Assistance with education is occasionally granted.