The Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, Tinee S. Furbert, is pleased to announce the release of the Department of Financial Assistance (DFA) Annual Report for the 2024/25 fiscal year, covering the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
“The report underscores the Government’s firm commitment to strengthening Bermuda’s comprehensive social protection system,” said Minister Furbert.” Driven by a mission to assist vulnerable Bermudians in maintaining a minimum standard of living during challenging economic times, the DFA administered three primary programs during this period: the Financial Assistance Programme, the Child Day Care Allowance Programme, and the newly introduced Short-Term Relief Benefit (STRB) Programme.”
Total payments across all programs reached $51.74 million, representing a 5% increase over the previous fiscal year. Approximately 89% of this expenditure was concentrated in seven critical categories, including Rent, Nursing Home Fees, Food Allowance, and Health Insurance (FutureCare and HIP).
The 2024/25 fiscal year also saw the review and commencement of significant Financial Assistance Reform measures aimed at improving the quality of life for recipients:
- New Relief Benefit: Launched in July 2024, the Short-Term Relief Benefit provides temporary assistance of up to $1,500 per month for individuals experiencing sudden financial hardship.
- Personal Care: A personal care allowance of $100 is provided to financial assistance clients residing in licensed nursing homes or residential care homes to support the purchase of personal care and health care goods and services such as toiletries and grooming services.
The DFA remains dedicated to transparency and operational effectiveness. During the fiscal year, the Department monitored 78,023 transactions for legislative compliance. Furthermore, the Department successfully reduced recoverable debt by 21%, falling to $291,112.
The report also highlights a positive trend in employment, noting a reduction in the number of "able-bodied unemployed" recipients as individuals successfully secured employment opportunities.
Minister Furbert stressed that the report notes, “Through strategic alignment of our objectives and performance measures, we are providing the people of Bermuda with clear evidence of the Department’s success in generating public value.”
The Department continues to leverage technology, collaborating on the introduction of digital forms to improve accessibility and data analytics. Short-Term Relief Benefit applications can be found on https://forms.gov.bm/Departments/Financial-Assistance/Short-Term-Relief-Benefit-Application.
The 2024/25 Annual Report serves as a comprehensive record of the Government’s efforts to strengthen the social fabric of the community and ensure that meaningful support reaches those most in need.
The report can be found on Financial Assistance Annual Report.pdf.