Social Security Ministry Completing Assessment of PATH

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through partnership with the World Bank, is completing a comprehensive assessment of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

“This includes an analysis of the processes and targeting methodology and a thorough assessment of the automated system we use for beneficiary selection. This assessment is ongoing, and we expect to improve the effectiveness of the programme, including the accuracy in selecting families in need,” Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said.

He was making his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).

The Minister also informed that the Ministry has established a Technical PATH Review Committee composed of local experts, working in tandem with international partners, to guide the development of a more inclusive and relevant approach to the identification of beneficiaries.

He said that while the Ministry awaits the final report, it is moving with urgency to correct the issues with the Beneficiary Management Information System (BMIS), through which PATH is administered.

“As a result of our ongoing work, families whose benefits were interrupted pending recertification, will resume receiving their benefits within the next three payment cycles. We are currently advancing this process and determining the most feasible route to removing the existing digital barriers. Importantly, technology must enable and not impede service delivery,” Mr. Charles Jr. said.

Additionally, the Ministry has implemented an accelerated strategy to transition PATH applications from provisionally approved status within the last 12 months to registered status.

“This means that over 3,000 additional families will start receiving support in this financial year. Of this number, 600 families were already processed and will start receiving PATH benefits in June 2025,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, this financial year will see a significant increase in the value of tertiary bursaries and post-secondary grants to students in PATH households.

“We have increased the funding for PATH social assistance, for tertiary bursaries, post-secondary grants and Steps to Work by 54.19 per cent. This is a budgetary increase from last year’s $479 million to $740 million for the financial year 2025/2026,” he said.

The PATH review has also reiterated the increasing demand for social services and the need for additional social workers to effectively deliver welfare programmes.

To this end, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has approved an additional 200 positions for social workers.

The Government also increased the allocation for PATH beneficiary assistance (cash grants) from $9.3 billion in financial year 2024/2025 to $9.779 billion, to accommodate the projected increase in the beneficiary population in this financial year 2025/2026.

Mr. Charles Jr. said the intent is to target more than 22,000 additional persons.