Common-law couples cautioned against duplicate hurricane claims within households
Published:Saturday | February 21, 2026 | 12:07 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security, is cautioning residents against submitting multiple hurricane relief applications from the same household, warning that the practice could delay or disqualify legitimate claims under the Government’s Shelter Recovery Programme.
Addressing a recent Restoration of Owners or Occupants Family Shelter (ROOFS) grant presentation in Westmoreland, Charles Jr said the ministry has detected instances where individuals living under one roof – including common-law couples – have filed separate applications for the same property.
“What we have found is that you have some persons who live together for a long time, have a family, don’t share the same name, and have been coming to us on different days to sign up the same house for the same grant,” the minister said.
Charles Jr explained that the digital system being used to collect and store data in the ongoing assessment programme flags duplicate entries using GPS location data and household information. Once duplication is detected, applications are removed for investigation.
“If the head of the household already applied and you go and apply again, you are only slowing down your own progress,” he warned.
Under the programme, only one benefit is allowed per household to ensure fairness and transparency in the distribution of funds.
The minister urged residents to be honest in their submissions, emphasising that the goal is to assist as many affected families as possible without administrative setbacks.
“We want everybody to get through quickly, but integrity is important,” he said.
The Government has rolled out a comprehensive shelter recovery programme as part of its post-hurricane rebuilding initiative aimed at assisting homeowners whose properties were damaged during the recent disaster.
Under the programme, persons whose homes were classified as severely damaged are eligible to receive grants of up to $500,000 to support rebuilding and restoration efforts. The initiative is backed by an initial funding allocation of $10 billion, enabling large-scale recovery across affected communities.
The programme also caters to other levels of damage under the ROOFS grant categories: major damage – beneficiaries receive $200,000; and minor damage – beneficiaries receive $75,000.
The funding is intended to provide timely financial relief to homeowners, helping families return to safe and secure living conditions as the country advances its recovery efforts.