ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr. says the Government is intensifying efforts to ensure all eligible beneficiaries receive assistance under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme.
Speaking during a ROOFS field visit at Lewisville High School in St. Elizabeth on Friday, Charles Jr. said ministry officials are taking the verification process directly into communities to resolve administrative issues that have delayed payments to some residents affected by Hurricane Melissa.
He explained that officials are meeting with applicants individually to correct issues such as Tax Registration Number (TRN) errors, incorrect personal information, duplicate records and other administrative problems that have prevented payments from being processed.
“Our goal is to meet with you one by one, find out what your problem is… so that we can get you verified,” the minister said.
Charles Jr. noted that while thousands of beneficiaries have already received grants, some applications remain pending because key information must first be verified.
He stressed that the verification process is necessary to ensure public funds are distributed responsibly and reach the correct recipients.
The minister also encouraged applicants with outstanding cases to continue working with ministry officials, assuring them that every legitimate concern will be reviewed.
He further advised that individuals who were unable to complete the ROOFS assessment before it closed would not be eligible for the programme. However, he said the ministry would assess genuine cases to determine whether assistance could be provided through other social support programmes.
Charles Jr. also praised frontline ministry staff for their commitment, noting that many have been balancing their own recovery efforts while helping hurricane-affected families across St. Elizabeth.
The minister and his team also met with residents at the Springfield Health Centre and the Evening Light Apostolic Tabernacle in Ginger Hill as part of the outreach exercise.
