Anguilla Support:Temporary Unemployment/Underemployment Assistance

The Government of Anguilla is providing support for eligible persons who have become unemployed or underemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A. INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND THE SELF EMPLOYED

Who Should Apply/Eligibility Criteria

Employees and self-employed persons, who have not contributed to Social Security or who have contributed to Social Security for less than fifty (cumulative) weekly payments, are eligible to apply provided they meet one of the following criteria:

• Has become unemployed, being either temporarily or permanently laid off, as a result of COVID-19 after February 1st, 2020;
• Is underemployed as a result of COVID-19 after February 1st, 2020, and is earning less than EC$800 a month; or
• Their business has closed or is earning less than $800 XCD as a result of COVID-19 after February 1st, 2020. Requirements:

• All applications to be submitted by 15th June, 2020
• Applicants must have been unemployed or underemployed due to COVID for 15 days or more (excluding Sundays) prior to making a claim.
• Self-employed persons may be required to provide additional information to support their claim.
• Applicants must either be registered with Social Security at the time of application, or subsequently registered with Social Security in order to receive the assistance. Registration forms can be obtained at the Social Security Office or downloaded from the Social Security website at www.ssbai.com.
• Applicants must be in Anguilla unless seeking medical assistance overseas.

27 April 2020

Payments

Payments are to be made directly to bank accounts and first payments are scheduled to reach accounts on or before May 15th, 2020.
Approved unemployed persons will receive payments of EC$800 for the period during which they remain unemployed up to a period of three months, if their previous monthly earnings were EC$ 800 or more. Persons who earned less than EC$ 800 will receive that amount.

Approved underemployed persons will receive the difference between their current earnings and their pre-COVID 19 monthly earnings up to a maximum of EC$800 (i.e. an earnings top-up) for the period during which they remain underemployed up to a period of three months.

How to Apply

In accordance with social distancing protocols, all applicants are required to submit applications online at beatcovid19.ai (website) using any internet accessible device such as smart phone, tablet, laptop or PC. Persons who are unable to apply online must phone 497 2547 or email [email protected] for further assistance.

B. INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

Validation of Information by Employers

As part of the verification process, the Labour Department will be contacting employers to verify the information submitted by their employees. Where a business has more than 15 employees who have claimed for assistance, a spreadsheet will be forwarded to that employer to input the required information.

All employers are required to verify their employees’ information to the satisfaction of the Labour Department. If an employer fails to validate their employees’ information, such persons will be unable to receive support under the programme. Any information that might be requested as part of the employer validation process must be submitted to the Labour Department at [email protected].

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Ministry of Finance by phone at 264-497- 2547, or by email at [email protected]