Registration now open for the COVID-19 Income Support Programme to help vulnerable individuals and families experiencing economic hardship.

Persons can register by visiting the www.bvi.gov.vg and click on the second banner titled: “BVI COVID-19 Income Support Programme”. Clicking on the link takes applicants directly to the registration form.

Persons can also register via phone during registration hours, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Applicants on Tortola can call any of the following numbers: 440-3116; 440-3118; 440-3106; 440-3107; 440-3110; 440-3112; or 440-3127. Spanish-speaking applicants can call 440-3119 or 440-3127.

The contact numbers for sister island applicants are 368-9712 (Anegada), 468-9506, 440-3125 or 468-9373 (Virgin Gorda) and 468-9013 (Jost Van Dyke).

All applicants are encouraged to have identification on hand that reflects their status in the Territory. These include passports, work permits, birth certificates or naturalization certificates. A scan or picture of the relevant documents will need to be uploaded to complete the registration process. Registration ends on July 9, 2021.

Applicants must be BVI Citizens or Belongers, valid Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption holders. In addition, applicants must meet specific criteria such as: be continually employed within the Territory from 1 September 2019 to 11 March 2020;  be currently unemployed or underemployed (less than 35 working hours); be available to work; be between the ages of 17 to 65; NOT have received assistance from the BVI Social Security Board Unemployment/Underemployment benefit; and not have received support through other government-led COVID-19 income support programmes, including support provided by elected representatives.

Applicants should submit the Termination of Service/Lay-off form from their previous employer. If the form is not available, applicants should submit a termination letter or note including the contact information of the employer. 

Self-employed applicants must be the only employee on the business payroll and not employ other persons. Self-employed applicants must submit a valid trade licence, in addition to any two of the following: the last three business receipts which demonstrate purchases related to their business from February to March 2020; any relevant association membership letter (such as BVI Chamber of Commerce); or any other documentation which demonstrates that they’ve worked in the relevant sector as a self-employed person (Certificate of Good Standing, such as SSB Certificate or Inland Revenue Certificate).  

For more information, potential applicants should go to the Government of the Virgin Islands portal - www.bvi.gov.vg, and follow the Government of the Virgin Islands on Facebook.

The COVID-19 Income Support Programme is a temporary cash transfer initiative in support of the most vulnerable individuals and families who have experienced a loss, reduction, or termination of employment due to the pandemic.