Anyone found attempting to access COVID-19 relief funds under false premises, will be made to bear the “full brunt of the law”. The warning, given by Social Development and Family Services Minister Camille Robinson Regis, comes amid several reports of citizens submitting falsified data in their relief applications.

“We have been having several instances where people are saying various things in order to ensure that they get relief” Minister Robinson Regis lamented during Saturday’s virtual press conference. “When we do check,” she added,  “we are finding that a number of people are trying to defraud the system. There are also a number of people trying to ‘double-dip’ where they’re applying through the NIB system and they are also applying to the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services”.

Minister Robinson Regis said several of the fraudulent claims were made in the applications for rental assistance, referencing one situation where an applicant claimed to be living at a residence for 10 years. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the person had only been at the home for six months.

As such, rental assistance payments will be made directly to landlords. “In keeping with the need for accountability and to ensure the most judicious use of the state’s resources, at this time a mechanism will now be implemented from Monday (May 4th) to ensure only valid claims are entertained and payments to such persons will therefore commence during next week” the Minister said.

Reports have also been made about persons visiting up to four locations to access hampers and other food relief. Minister Robinson Regis emphasized that these “smart man and smart woman tactics” will not be condoned, as it clogs the relief system, depriving the most vulnerable in our society of the assistance they need.