The Social Security Board and the Government of Anguilla have collaborated to provide a temporary Unemployment/Underemployment Assistance Benefit (UAB), for persons whose employment has been affected as a result of the global Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). Both entities recognize that these are extremely difficult times for all Anguillians and have teamed up to offer support in this time of great need. The labour force has been adversely impacted during this COVID-19 crisis and the need for financial relief has been anticipated. The assistance will be available to persons who have been contributing to the Social Security system for some time, but who now find themselves unemployed or underemployed (i.e. earning less than EC$1,000 a month).
In order to qualify for assistance, persons must meet the following criteria. They must:
- be an insured person in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act;
- be unemployed or underemployed (i.e. earning less than EC$1,000 a month) as a result of COVID-19, and would have otherwise been employed;
- be Social Security contributors who have made at least 50 weeks of contributions to the social security system on or before 1st February 2020;
- be unemployed or underemployed for at least 20 days (including public holidays, but excluding Sundays), before making a claim for assistance;
- make a claim on the official application form UAB-1 provided; and
- make a claim on or before 15th June 2020.
The assistance will take the form of three payments (for a maximum of 3 months) as follow:
- For unemployed persons there will be an initial payment of EC$1,000 and monthly thereafter, if the persons are still unemployed, a further payment of EC$1,000.
- For underemployed persons (i.e. persons who now earn less than EC$1,000 a month as a result of COVID-19), there will be an initial payment equal to the difference between EC$1,000 and one month’s salary (i.e. EC$1,000 minus salary for 1 month); and monthly thereafter, if the persons are still underemployed, a further payment calculated in the same way.
- For those who normally earn less than EC$1,000, and are unemployed or underemployed as a result of COVID-19, they will receive the amount of their normal earnings if unemployed or the difference between their normal earnings and current earnings if underemployed.
In accordance with the safety guidelines and social distancing protocol, the UAB will be an online process. An electronic platform is being created to facilitate the submission and processing of applications. Through this web application, persons are required to complete and submit their application claim forms using any electronic device such as a smart phone, tablet, laptop or PC. This process will be efficient and allow processing and payment before month-end. The application form is now available on the Social Security Board’s website at ssbai.com for viewing only. This allows persons to see what information is required to complete the application. Persons who are eligible for the assistance are encouraged to complete and submit their applications electronically via the online web application portal at uassistance.ai, when that platform becomes available on or before 20th April 2020. Payments will commence on 30th April 2020; the public will be duly notified when the platform is ready for application submissions and when payments are made. Where necessary, guidance will be provided for completion and submission of the application via the web application. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Social Security Office at telephone numbers 264-497-2201/2 or 3201/2, or email at info@ssbai.com
