Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 9th October 2024 – The Financial Assistance Programme Public Portal Phase 2 goes live on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 12 noon.

Persons meeting the eligibility criteria can apply in this public portal if you did not receive a personal link or were unable to submit your application in the personal link in Phase 1.

To receive the Financial Assistance Programme payment you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be receiving a pension that is below $1,000.00 per month from one or multiple sources or is receiving no pension at all.
• Be a Turks and Caicos Islander or a British Overseas Territory Citizen.
• Have attained the age of seventy (70) years old.
• Be ordinarily resident in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the last 5 (five) years.

Please note that persons who are “wards of the state” (e.g. residing in TCIG wellness centres, aged-care centres, etc.) and “wards of the court.” (e.g. in prison etc.)” will not qualify for the FAP.

An application with an aggregate pension of more than $1,000.00 will be denied.

By now, applicants should have a completed and signed affidavit verifying their residency and sources of pensions ready to upload into the portal. Without this affidavit, the FAP cannot be processed.

Within this 2nd Phase of the FAP, the applicant is being asked to upload into the Portal the following:

• Affidavit of pension income and residency in the Turks and Caicos Islands;
• Copy of Status Card/Passport/BOTC certificate evidencing status in the Turks and Caicos Islands;
• Evidence of source of additional pension, if you receive another pension other than the National Insurance Board (NIB).
• Your NIB number if you have one; this will help to match your pension behind the scenes.
• Your Voter’s ID Number, if you have it.
• Your banking information.

Each field filled helps us to match information across databases and will help accelerate your approval process.

The main aim of the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) is to support elderly Turks and Caicos Island Citizens (TCIC) and British Overseas Territory Citizens (BOTC) residing in the Islands who are receiving a pension of less than $1,000 per month and are aged seventy (70) years or above, ensuring they receive at least $1,000 in pension, in aggregate, in cases where the individual is receiving a pension from multiple sources in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Those persons receiving no pension at all will qualify for the full amount of $1,000 payable under the FAP.

The payment is retroactive to April 1, 2024. Therefore, if you were 70 years old before April 1, 2024, you will receive a payment for April and all subsequent months. If you attained the age of 70 years after April 1, 2024, you will receive financial assistance for the first full month immediately following your birth month and each subsequent month.

For payment purposes, the preference is to make payments directly to a bank account. Otherwise, payments will be made by cheque to the Treasury and Sub-treasuries in the islands.

Please remember to retain the reference number provided after the final submission.

The Public Portal is expected to remain open; however, in the first instance, persons are being asked to complete the form between October 9-23, 2024.  There will be this cut-off period to establish the base of pensioner registrants.

If you have not reached the age of 70 (seventy) years, please DO NOT apply now.

Apply here: https://seniorcitizensfap.gov.tc/

MEDIA RELEASE

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC), recently announced its sponsorship of the 2024 Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association’s (TCIFA) Providenciales Premier League, set to kick off in late September.

The family resort remains dedicated to supporting TCI’s future champions and this year’s partnership is another winning goal for BTC as the brand continues to fuel the passion and potential of TCI’s young footballers.

“We’re thrilled to be back on board for this journey with our young and talented athletes in what promises to be a season filled with standout performances and memorable moments,” said BTC Managing Director James McAnally.

“Local football provides a platform for our young men and women to realise their full potential and even plot a path for their future. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills — not only on the field but in becoming upstanding young men and women — and we see this competition as the perfect opportunity to help prepare them for success and to give back to our community.”

The Provo Premier League (PPL) is a league that is played in the island of Providenciales between club teams that have players from the islands of North Caicos, South Caicos and Grand Turk participating.

This sponsorship will assist the TCIFA and the league to provide prize monies, special awards and cover match official expenses.

President of the PPL Patrick Baptiste, while commending the partnership with Beaches highlighted the long term benefits that this sponsorship will provide. “This league provides an outlet for our youth to participate in top quality competition that will prepare them to vie for professional football contracts going forward. This type of youth development will provide a high quality platform benefitting the future of our young people. This partnership with Beaches Turks and Caicos is a win win for the youth and sporting development at large,” Baptiste shared.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services Rachel Taylor was elated with the sponsorship from the resort. “Beaches Turks and Caicos remains one of our major supporters for youth development throughout the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. Whether it is through the Sandals Foundation or community support, the leadership of this organisation stands ready to help in providing for our youth. This sponsorship will undoubtedly help to offset the financial demands of the government as it relates to the positive impact of our youth. This kind of partnership will provide a stable platform for the sports, entertainment and overall youth development,” Taylor noted.

An elated senior men’s coach, Aaron Lawrence shared “this funding will encourage greater participation from players, coaches, administrators and supporters of the teams within the league. There is currently an urgent need for public and private partnership for sports, which will allow the national coaching staff to identify talents from the different islands to increase the cadre of quality players vying to represent the national teams at the different levels,” Lawrence shared.

Photo Captions:

Header: TCIFA PPL President presents a TCIFA token to BTC’s MD

Insert: BTC MD James McAnally signs

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: Each year on 10^th September we come together to observe World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on the critical issue of suicide and the extensive impact it has on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. Suicide remains a significant global concern, being one of the top 20 leading causes of death and resulting in over 800,000 lives lost annually—one life every 40 seconds.

In the Turks and Caicos Islands, recent clinic-level data from the Department of Behavioural Health Services has brought to light a troubling increase in suicide attempts, with a noticeable impact on females aged 18-35. This growing concern highlights the urgent need for empathy, understanding, and support. While certain risk factors such as gender, ages 35-60, unemployment, living alone, depression, and financial difficulties are commonly associated with suicide, it is essential to recognise that the roots of these struggles are often deeply intertwined with a complex mix of genetic, psychological, social, and cultural influences. These challenges are frequently compounded by personal experiences of trauma and loss.

We want to emphasise that help is available and that reaching out for support can make a profound difference. In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day this year, the Department of Behavioural Health Services, under the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is introducing two crucial initiatives aimed at providing assistance and fostering understanding:

1. Online Mental Health Check-Ups

Depression and intense emotional pain are significant risk factors for suicide and self-harming behaviors. To support those navigating these difficult feelings, we are offering an online mental health screener. By completing this screener, individuals will receive a confidential assessment from a qualified clinician, who will then arrange either an in-person or virtual follow-up session. For further details, please refer to the attached flyer.

2. Mental Health Stigma Survey “Shifting Minds”

Stigma surrounding mental health remains a major obstacle for many seeking help. To address this, we are launching the “Shifting Minds” survey on 10th September as part of our Anti-Stigma Campaign. This nationwide initiative aims to challenge misconceptions, reduce stigma, and enhance the well-being of those experiencing mental health challenges. Your participation will help us better understand public attitudes and will contribute to shaping a compassionate and effective national anti-stigma campaign in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commenting on World Suicide Prevention Day, Honourable Shaun D Malcolm, Minister for Health and Human Services, stated, “suicide prevention efforts remain a priority for the Turks and Caicos Islands. With the implementation of several new initiatives being undertaken by the Department of Behavioural Health Services, we anticipate positive outcomes such as an increase in public education, reduction in stigma and reduction in incidence rates.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with intense feelings or suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help. There is no shame in reaching out; doing so can provide the support and guidance needed to navigate these challenging times. Offering compassion, understanding, and support to those in distress is crucial. Your experiences and actions can help create a more supportive community for everyone.