PRIME Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr will on Wednesday formally launch the Government’s much-touted Solidarity Programme.

Through the $1-billion programme, one-time cash grants of $20,000 will be provided to 50,000 vulnerable Jamaicans who are not enrolled in any existing Government support scheme, including the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), poor relief, National Insurance Scheme (NIS), or social pension.

The initiative was announced by Holness during his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives in March.

Beyond the cash grant, the programme is designed as a gateway to long-term support services to 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, prescription aid through the National Health Fund, and national registration support.

The programme is designed to target Jamaicans most in need, including the elderly without family support; people with disabilities; youth aged 18–35 not in employment, education or training; informal workers with low or unstable incomes; medically indigent individuals; people without birth certificates or official identification, and micro-business operators affected by disaster within the last year.

“There are Jamaicans who, despite their best efforts, under very difficult circumstances cannot help themselves as they would 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,’ ” said Holness as he announced the programme.

“This is about inclusion. It’s about dignity, and it’s about making sure that our progress reaches every Jamaican in every corner of the country,” Dr Holness emphasised.

According to Holness, the programme will complement broader reforms being undertaken in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, including an ongoing review of PATH and digitisation of benefits delivery.

“We are building a Jamaica where no one is invisible, and no one is forgotten. This is how we move forward, together,” added Holness.

In the meantime, Charles Jr said the Solidarity Programme 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,” said Charles Jr.

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

Jamaicans can apply through referral from a Member of Parliament or civil society organisation, as well as the community outreach activities, walk-in visits to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security parish office, or online through the modified Community Action for Rewarding Engagement (CARE) platform.

For people without official documentation, verification can be facilitated by a justice of the peace, Member of Parliament, or minister of religion.