About 15,000 households to receive disaster relief benefits under ROOFS Programme within next two weeks

September 21, 2026

More than 15,000 households are expected to receive disaster relief benefits under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters  (ROOFS) Programme within the next two weeks.

Minister of Labour and Social security Pearnel Charles Jr. explained that the latest round of payments is aimed at clearing a backlog of applicants who did not receive assistance during the first two phases of the programme.

Charles Jr. emphasized that the ministry is now at the point where it is looking to complete the process of providing assistance to eligible applicants.

He acknowledged that some households were not paid during phases one and two because of several issues encountered during the verification process.

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He underscored the scale of the assistance already provided, saying the ministry has so far spent over $14 billion to provide benefits to over 56,000 households.

The minister noted that 529 homes have already been repaired by the Jamaica Defence Force with another 500 homes expected to be repaired.

In addition, 2,742 families are expected to benefit from container homes as part of the wider response.