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THE “SEED” PROJECT

The Support for Education, Empowerment and Development Project (SEED) is a social safety net project that offers conditional cash transfers.

This project came about from the unification of three previous programmes. They were the Necessitous Fund, the School Transportation Allowance and the Public Assistance Programmes, which are no longer in existence. The SEED Project is family focussed and looks at the complete family situation in each household. It is all about empowerment and seeks to take people from a state of dependence to independence.

SEED targets poor and vulnerable people in Grenada. These have been cited as children, people with permanent disabilities, such as loss of eyesight and hearing; people suffering from chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes; the elderly; pregnant and lactating mothers; and the adult poor.

In order to apply for assistance under the SEED Project, applicants must go through an application process. Firstly, an application form must be completed by a SEED Officer along with the applicant. This can be done at the Ministry of Social Development or at the Ministry of Social Development sub-offices in the respective parish. Applicants will need to present a form of valid identification for themselves and the other members in their household. After the completion of the application form, the information will be given to a Social Worker, who will then carry out an assessment.

Later on a Proxy Means Test will be carried out. The Proxy Means Test, which is a scientific assessment tool, will be used to determine eligibility for the project. People deemed ineligible by the Proxy Means Test will have the opportunity to appeal the decision by going before an Appeals Committee. If the Appeals Committee overturns the previous decision but no space is available in the project, these people will be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing by the Ministry of Social Development.

SEED offers conditional cash transfers. This means there are certain conditions attached to receiving payments. These conditions are called co-responsibilities and they are aimed at improving behavioural changes in education and healthy lifestyles. The education co-responsibility states that children should have a 95 percent attendance rate in school each month. The health co-responsibility states that children and adults, especially young adults, should attend scheduled health visits at their health centres to have their health and dental checks. Beneficiaries should also attend scheduled workshops.

Failure to fulfil these co-responsibilities will result in persons running the risk of having their benefits/payments suspended or becoming disqualified.

All SEED payments should be collected by the family representative or agent, who must present valid identification. Payments will be made the last Thursday and Friday of each month and the following Monday, during the hours of 8:30am to 2pm. Persons living in St. George can collect their payments at the Treasury.

Those living in other parishes can collect their payments at their respective District Revenue Offices. In the event that the beneficiary is unable to collect the payment, the person collecting on his/her behalf will need to present both an ID and a written letter with the beneficiary’s signature if possible.