23K Approved for COVID-19 Economic Relief

Up to Tuesday afternoon, more than sixty-thousand applications were lodged for the COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Programme and just a little over seven thousand were approved and forwarded to the Social Security to disburse payment.  That seven thousand plus has almost tripled to twenty-three thousand approved up to today’s date and disbursement of payment was also to start today. As we have been reporting, the Economic Oversight Committee, headed by Doctor Carla Barnett and Attorney Chris Coye, is leading this national relief effort for persons who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in those applications are persons who have been unemployed for a longer period, prior to the implementation of COVID-19 measures. This morning, we spoke with Co-Chair Chris Coye about the status of the programme.

On the Phone: Chris Coye, Co-Chair, Economic Oversight Committee

“Between yesterday and today that number would have increased, at least by the end of today to around twenty-three thousand approved applicants or approved beneficiaries. That means that those approved names and particulars would be provided to the SSB for relief payments. The bank account details, if they have bank accounts, would have been provided and the SSB thereafter would make arrangements to pay. If they don’t have accounts, then the prepaid cards would be what’s in line for them.”

Andrea Polanco

“How soon will those cards be made available, Mr. Coye?”

On the Phone: Chris Coye

“What we are informed by Heritage Bank is that they can produce two hundred and fifty cards per day, roughly. There is also Holy Redeemer Credit Union that has prepaid cards and we have reached out to them for their assistance as well. I don’t have a specific number for their productivity but we will be looking on them as well for pre-paid cards.”