Local News
GEBE senior relief moves to Social Services in 2027; criteria not yet published
From 2027, GEBE will keep funding senior relief, but the government's Social Services Department will take applications and decide who qualifies. The 2027 criteria have not been published.
By SXM Daily ยท
Seniors who rely on GEBE's annual relief will have to deal with the government, not the utility company, from 2027. NV GEBE said in a statement carried by local outlets on 12 October that it will keep funding its senior relief programme, but the Social Services Department will take over applications, eligibility checks and the choice of who receives it.
Photo: Richie Diesterheft / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
According to GEBE's statement, the change comes under a new agreement between NV GEBE and the Government of Sint Maarten, signed for the government by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA). GEBE will no longer accept applications itself for the 2027 programme.
Why the change
GEBE describes it as a new way of delivering the same support, not the end of the programme. In the statement, temporary manager Iris Arrindell said working through Social Services lets GEBE keep contributing money "while ensuring the appropriate government agency assesses individual circumstances and determines eligibility."
GEBE's statement does not give the date the agreement was signed or how much the utility will contribute.
What it means for seniors
- Do not apply to GEBE for 2027 senior relief.
- The 2027 criteria have not been published yet. That includes who qualifies, how to apply, the deadline and which documents you need. Wait for the government to announce them.
- The office that will handle it is the Division of Labor Affairs & Social Services (VSA), Soualiga Road #1, Pond Island. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, according to the government's website.
Not the same as the utility relief pilot
The NV GEBE & Social Services Utility Relief Pilot Program is a separate scheme. It gives eligible vulnerable residents vouchers of XCG 50 each, up to XCG 250 a month, and is scheduled to run until 30 November 2026, after which it will be evaluated. Questions about the pilot go to reliefprogram@sintmaartengov.org.
What happens next
SXM Daily will report the 2027 criteria and application process once the Ministry of VSA publishes them.
Sources
- https://smn-news.com/index.php/st-maarten-st-martin-news/52011-nv-gebe-strengthens-commitment-to-seniors-through-new-relief-partnership-with-the-government-of-sint-maarten.html
- https://www.sintmaartengov.org/Ministries/Campaigns/Pages/NV-GEBE-Social-Services-NV-GEBE-Pilot-Program.aspx