In a bold and compassionate step toward inclusive national development, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, will on Wednesday, June 25, formally launch the Solidarity Programme at the Office of the Prime Minister.

This transformative initiative, themed ‘No One Left Behind – A caring Government, reaching those who need it the most’, demonstrates that the Government of Jamaica is listening, caring and responding to the needs of the people. especially Jamaicans who are not currently captured by any social programmes. 

The programme is a $1 billion investment in hope, dignity and empowerment. It will provide a one-time cash grant of JA$20,000 to 50,000 Jamaicans who are not enrolled in any existing government support scheme, including PATH, Poor Relief, NIS, or Social Pension.

Beyond the cash grant, the programme is designed as a gateway to long-term support services that will help vulnerable individuals become more stable, connected, and self-reliant.

Beneficiaries can also get assistance to:

• Skills training through HEART/NSTA Trust, Job placement support via the Labour Market Information System (LMIS)
• NHF Prescription Aid
• TRN and civil registration support via TAJ and RGD
• NIS and Social Pension enrolment.

The programme targets those most in need: Elderly persons (60+) without family support, Persons with disabilities, Youth aged 18–35 not in employment, education or training, Informal workers with low or unstable incomes, Medically indigent individuals, Persons without birth certificates or IDs, Micro-business operators affected by disaster within the last year.

Prime Minister Holness, speaking on the responsibility of the state, said, “There are Jamaicans who, despite their best efforts under very difficult circumstances, cannot help themselves as they’d like, and they do not have access to support systems. The Solidarity Programme is how we say to them: We see you, we hear you, and we care. This programme says to them: Your Government is aware of your needs, and we are reaching out to support you. “

Minister Charles Jr. echoed that sentiment, adding: “This is about justice and compassion. The people who qualify for Solidarity are often those with the least and need the most, but also those who face the most barriers to access. We are removing those barriers. From the cash grant to ongoing services like skills training and job placement, we are helping Jamaicans rebuild, reconnect and reclaim their dignity.”

How to Apply:

Applications can be submitted through:

• Referral by a Member of Parliament or civil society organisation
• Community outreach activities led by the Ministry
• Walk-in visits to MLSS parish offices
• Online via the modified CARE platform

For those without official documentation, verification can be facilitated by a Justice of the Peace (JP), MP, or Minister of Religion.

The programme will be rolled out through a series of parish-level community fairs during July, with cash disbursements beginning July 28, 2025.

The Solidarity Programme is not just a safety net, it is a step forward for Jamaicans who have long waited for a hand to hold and a system that uplifts. The Government remains steadfast in its mission to build a society where everyone matters and no one is left behind.