KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) will be implementing its graduation strategy that was approved by Cabinet in June of this year.

According to a release from the Ministry of Labour today, the graduation strategy is aimed at identifying families who are no longer eligible or in need of welfare assistance from PATH.

Under its provisions, families participating in the programme for four years must reapply to be assessed for continued receipt of benefits.

The ministry said reapplication to PATH commences island wide on September 4, and will continue through November 30, 2017 for families who have been in receipt of benefits since 2002 and 2003.

These families have been notified by letter to visit the ministry’s parish offices to complete the process.

The outcome of the reapplication process will place families in one of three groups:

• Group 1: These families have not experienced any significant advancement and will continue to receive PATH for a further four years after which they will again be assessed.

• Group 2: Families that have experienced some improvement in their circumstances and are no longer in need of PATH, but require targeted interventions to assist in improving their socio-economic situations. This assistance will be provided for a period of between six and 24 months, and the families will continue to receive cash grants until April 2018.

• Group 3: Families that have experienced significant improvement and are no longer in need of PATH. These families will also continue to receive cash grants until April 2018.

The ministry said it has established a reapplication schedule for PATH families who have been registered on the programme since 2004 and succeeding years. Families will be notified when they are required to visit the parish offices.