BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC -The St. Kitts-Nevis government has reaffirmed its partnership with the local digital service provider, JAD, to deliver the Budget Boost Wallet (BBW) initiative.
The BBW is a short-term financial relief initiative that benefits over 22,000 citizens across the Twin Island Federation. It offers EC$250 (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) monthly for six months to individuals earning EC$5,000 or less in gross income per month. The JAD’s digital wallet platform allows users to spend their allocated funds on essential items at participating vendors, including major supermarkets, local shops, and public utility providers.
Speaking on the state-owned ZIZ Radio, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Marcus Natta and Permanent Secretary of Social Development Azilla Clarke highlighted JAD’s pivotal role in facilitating secure and efficient cashless transactions for beneficiaries.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting local businesses and leveraging homegrown solutions. JAD has a proven track record of successful collaborations with the government, making them the ideal partner for this initiative,” said Dr. Natta.
The JAD app, available for download on mobile devices, enables beneficiaries to conduct
transactions via QR codes, ensuring security and efficiency.
Clarke praised the platform’s user-friendly nature, saying it supports a wide range of vendors, including mom-and-pop shops and market vendors.
“We’ve worked closely with JAD to expand vendor participation, ensuring that all sectors of our economy benefit from this initiative,” she said, underscoring the importance of data collection for policy development as she addressed public concerns.
“The digital wallet is not just about disbursing funds. It’s a tool for gathering data to refine and improve government policies. While we respect individual privacy, this aggregated data helps us understand spending trends and develop more impactful programs,” she told radio listeners.
Clarke said that registration is required on the JAD platform for those not previously enrolled in government assistance programs, with Social Security providing eligibility verification.
“There is no cap on participants, but payments are not retroactive. Register early to avoid missing out on benefits,” she added.
Dr. Natta emphasized the government’s focus on targeted assistance during what has been described as “these challenging economic times,” This program is not just a handout; it’s a strategic initiative to ease the financial burden caused by global inflation while ensuring accountability and impact.”
Clarke said that individuals who have previously been issued a digital wallet for government programs like Aspire or the Back-to-School initiative are automatically enrolled and do not need to re-register.
“There is no need to rush. We already have the data for many eligible participants, and the process is designed to be simple and efficient,” Clarke said, assuring the public of the program’s transparency and security.
“Your data is protected and governed by local laws and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. JAD has been a trusted partner in several government initiatives and provides a secure platform for cashless transactions,” Clarke said.
and then 