How We Can Help

How we help

The Department of Financial Assistance (DFA) is here to provide financial support to individuals and families who are unable to cover their essential needs like food, shelter, and clothing. Our goal is to offer short-term assistance as a temporary bridge to help families regain stability. We also recognise that some individuals, like older persons or those living with permanent disabilities, may require long-term help.

DFA offers financial assistance to those who demonstrate financial need according to our Eligibility Criteria. At the core of our mission is a commitment to delivering a customer-focused experience. We aim to efficiently provide support while considering each individual or household's unique circumstances.

DFA operates in accordance with legislation, primarily the Financial Assistance Act, 2022, along with related Regulations and our own departmental policies.

The assistance we provide is determined by each household's financial shortfall, which is the difference between their income and expenses. Based on this gap, we offer various categories of services.

NOTE: Housing Repairs Assistance and Health Insurance may be applied for by submitting an application to the DFA. The DFA facilitates the assessment for Housing Repairs Assistance and Health Insurance, but is not the approving body. Requests for Housing Repairs Assistance in Cayman Brac are to be submitted directly to the Office of the District Commissioner.

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Cayman Home

Financial Assistance Service Categories

Financial Assistance Service Categories

Below are the categories of services for which a household may be approved to receive financial assistance based on the deficit of the household with required documentation which will be necessary for the payment to be processed. Click on the relevant service to see more details.

Maximum Amount

  • Up to $3,000 for rent 
  • Up to $3,000 for rental deposit one-time 

Frequency 

  • Monthly for Rent 
  • One-time for lifetime for Rental Deposit

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • Valid lease agreement
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to  $200 per child up to a maximum of $600 per household

Frequency - Monthly

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Quote/Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to  $3,500 for a funeral package and/or up to  $1,200 for a vault 

Frequency - One-time per member of the household

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • Invoice from Funeral Home
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to $600 per child up to a maximum of $1,500 per household

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Quote/Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to $250 per person up to a maximum of $750 per household

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method - Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount 

  • Up to $500 for Dentures
  • Up to $1,500 for Medically Required Braces not covered by insurance

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • Schedule of benefits and invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount - Up to $300 per month for a household of one person and up to $600 per month for a household of more than one person

Frequency - Monthly or One-time

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • When approved for services a household is required to provide their account number at the relevant utility companies
  • On a monthly basis, if the amount for utilities is not a fixed amount, the household is required to submit their utility bills for processing
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount - Up to  $1,250

Frequency - Monthly

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • When approved for services a household is required to provide their bank account details
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the recipient.

Maximum Amount 

  • Up to $400 for a household of one person and up to $850 for a household of more than one person

Frequency 

  • Monthly
  • May be provided as incremental payments weekly, or bi-weekly

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Identification Card will be linked to the food card
  • Households will be issued a food card
  • Payments may be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount - Up to  $100 per household

Frequency - Monthly

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • When approved for services a household is required to provide their bank account details
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the recipient.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to $1,000 for equipment and supplies not provided through insurance 

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • Submit Schedule of Benefits and Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to  $800

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the household member
  • Referral and Medical Itinerary.

Maximum Amount

  • Up to $360
  • Exceptions where an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist has recommended a special prescription

Frequency - Bi-Annually (every two years)

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • Schedule of benefits and invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor. 

Maximum Amount 

  • Up to $600 per child

Frequency - Monthly

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Quote/Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount - Up to $110

Frequency - 3 Times Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method - Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount - Up to  $150 per child

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Quote/Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount -  Up to $150 for two pairs of school shoes per child

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Quote/Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.

Maximum Amount - The sum of three school uniforms and one physical education uniform per child

Frequency - Annually

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • Quote/Invoice
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the vendor.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to $50 per adult in the household up to a maximum of $150 per household

Frequency - Monthly

Documentation Required and Payment Method

  • When approved for services a household is required to provide their bank account details
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the recipient.
     

Maximum Amount - Up to  $100 per household

Frequency - Monthly

Documentation Required and Payment Method 

  • When approved for services a household is required to provide their bank account details
  • Payments will be made via direct deposit or cheque to the recipient.

Amounts listed above are maximum amounts per household.  The approved amounts will be based on the number of people per household, the actual household expenses and the shortfall.

In the following circumstances, DFA will issue a Confirmation Notice to the vendor to inform them that payment will be issued:

  • Pre-School Assistance
  • After-School Care
  • Children's Camp
  • School uniforms, School Supplies, and School Shoes
  • Burial Assistance
  • Vault
  • Utilities – Electricity
  • Utilities – Water
  • Propane (Gas)
  • Optical and Dental
  • Medical Supplies 
  • Clothing

Payments are made via direct deposit in most instances and cheques are sent via registered mail.

If you have further questions, please contact us, visit us at our offices, or come and see us at one of our District Days. 

Related information: