Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin announced on Wednesday that the time for Family Islands to experience an easier way of obtaining food assistance is fast approaching.

While presenting an update in the House of Assembly on the recently launched reloadable prepaid card for beneficiaries of the food services programme, the minister announced that islands such as Grand Bahama, Abaco and a few others are in the process of receiving the card.

“We have begun the process for the implementation of the card in Grand Bahama and we will begin with beneficiaries in the Eight Mile Rock and West End areas,” said the minister.

“The verification and assessment process for beneficiaries who reside in these areas are almost complete. The preliminary ground work for the introduction of the card has commenced in North Andros and Abaco. A team from New Providence travelled to North Andros last week to assist the staff there in getting started. A similar team will be travelling to Abaco for the same purpose. We will continue introducing the card on a gradual basis in the Family Islands as we are committed to modernizing delivery of assistance throughout The Bahamas.”

The social services minister also mentioned other ways that the new card has proven to be beneficial to those receiving assistance, social workers and merchants.

“Immediately, the long lines have been cut,” she said.

“Persons don’t have to go to the center every month, it is just amazing. Immediately, merchants get their money within 48 hours. So, all the paperwork and excess labour isn’t necessary. It’s a win-win on all sides and immediately social workers are able to do more assessments and more social work.”

Although the minister did not give a date, she has confirmed that in upcoming weeks, the reloadable prepaid cards will be fully available for those on the Family Islands.