Senator Peters Slams Public Assistance Review: “People Are Being Turned Away”

By Val Matthias. Updated 5:37 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Opposition Senator Hon. Keisel Peters has sounded the alarm over the government’s ongoing 2026 review of the national public assistance program, claiming that vulnerable citizens are being denied essential aid during the process.  

Speaking on Tuesday’s “On the Record” programme on Star Radio, Peters criticized the administration’s approach, arguing that while reviews of recipient lists are routine, they should not interrupt immediate support for those in need. “You can conduct a review but it doesn’t stop you from giving assistance in the meantime. I am reliably advised that under this 2026 review, people are being turned away. We have to do better,” she said.  

Peters highlighted the crucial role of the Public Assistance Board, which meets monthly to deliberate on cases based on documentary evidence. She stressed that the program was designed to extend beyond the elderly and persons with disabilities, citing past frameworks that offered “holistic assistance.” These included support for single fathers struggling with preschool fees, temporary relief for the unemployed or those recovering from illness, and emergency grants to prevent homelessness.  

The Senator also pointed to the modernization of the payment system, which moved from crowded cash distribution sites to a digitized model using bank cards in partnership with the Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and UNICEF. That system, she noted, was so effective it was studied and adopted by other Caribbean nations.  

Government officials, however, have defended the review process. Minister of Social Welfare Shevern John has previously stated that list checks are a standard safeguard to ensure fairness and accountability, preventing misuse of funds and redirecting limited resources to households in genuine need. She emphasized that the reviews are not intended to deny support but to strengthen transparency and efficiency in welfare delivery.  

This clash of perspectives underscores the tension at the heart of the debate: whether the 2026 review is reinforcing accountability or undermining compassion. Peters insists that the “heart and soul” of the social safety net food and medication for the vulnerable must remain accessible, while the government maintains that periodic checks are essential to protect the integrity of the system.  

END