Persons are not required to present identification or Taxpayer Registration Numbers (TRNs) to collect hurricane relief packages being  distributed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The ministry’s clarification comes amidst  messages circulating on social media that documentation is required from persons who intend to benefit.

It said these claims are false and that there appears to be an attempt to conflate two separate activities.

In a release today, the Ministry said no documentation is required to access any food or hygiene packages it distributes, but documentation is normally requested during the household damage assessment process. 

It explained that this is necessary to verify the identity of householders whose homes have been affected and to ensure that post-relief benefits are delivered to legitimate owners or residents during the medium-term recovery process.

Chief Technical Director with Responsibility for Social Security, Audrey Deer-Williams said given the scale of the recent disaster, and recognizing that many persons may have lost important documents, social workers have been instructed to proceed with all assessments and to advise beneficiaries on how to replace lost documents before any payout exercise.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Dione Jennings, noted that “the ministry continues to make adjustments to existing requirements where necessary, in keeping with the realities on the ground, to ensure that no affected individual is left behind.

She further emphasized that the ministry remains steadfast and transparent in its commitment to deliver critical support to every affected household.

Relief efforts are being carried out in partnership with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Parish Disaster Coordinators, and a network of volunteers, with operational support from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and local and international donors.

The household damage assessment process continues at the same time.