LIFT (Livelihood Improvement for Family Transformation) Programme
LIFT (Livelihood Improvement for Family Transformation) is the national conditional cash transfer programme of Saint Kitts and Nevis, administered by the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs with technical support from UNICEF. It replaced the earlier Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) starting in 2024, adding case management, self-development training, and shock-responsive emergency support to a direct monthly cash transfer. LIFT prioritizes unemployed and low-income households, single parents, persons with disabilities, and seniors earning below a set monthly income threshold. As of March 2025 the programme had reached more than 4,390 households across the federation. It is funded through the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis' national budget.
Caribbean, Small Island Developing State, National Cash Transfer, Case Management, UNICEF Technical Support, Shock-Responsive Social Protection, Poverty Alleviation
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- City
- Basseterre
- State / Province
- Saint Kitts
- Country
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
Contact
- Phone
- +1 869 467 1275
- mosdga@gov.kn
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Rolling
- Number of recipients
- 4,390
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- Ongoing / unconditional
- Yes
- Distribution Type
- Direct Deposit, Cheque
- Benefit details
Beneficiaries receive a direct monthly cash transfer, reported as up to EC$600 per approved family depending on assessed need and vulnerability, an increase from the flat EC$500 paid under the predecessor Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP). LIFT also includes 'shock-responsive' elements providing emergency cash support during natural disasters or other crises. Payments have historically been disbursed by direct bank deposit or by cheque. Recipients also receive case-management support, including training in money management, parenting, and other self-development activities meant to reduce long-term dependency.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
LIFT prioritizes unemployed individuals (with or without children), single-parent households with children, persons with disabilities, and seniors, generally requiring gross household income below roughly EC$2,500 per month. Unlike PAP, which capped assistance at one EC$500 grant per household address, LIFT relaxed this rule so multiple family units sharing the same address can each qualify for support. Applicants undergo an individualized case-management assessment rather than a one-time eligibility check, and some existing PAP beneficiaries (e.g., seniors) were automatically transitioned into LIFT.
Family
- Family Status
- Single Parent
Health
- Disability status
- Yes
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $30,000
- Employment status
- Unemployed, Employed, Underemployed
Citizenship
- Citizenship / immigration status
- Citizen, Permanent Resident
Geography
- Countries covered
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Case management bundled with LIFT includes self-development activities such as money management, parenting, and counselling support, officials also cross-reference LIFT beneficiary data with other Ministry programmes (Back-to-School Independence Initiative, Budget Boost Wallet, School-Based Assistance Programmes) but these are not stated as mandatory co-enrollments.
Application Process
- How to apply
Prospective beneficiaries apply through the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs. Applications have historically been accepted through a dedicated online submission window (opened April 1, 2024) and, more recently, through the Ministry's Expression of Interest portal at socialdevelopment.gov.kn, which uses Microsoft Forms to collect and cross-reference applicant information. Applicants can also visit social assistance officers at community centres around Saint Kitts and Nevis to submit or confirm the required information.
- Selection process
Ministry case workers cross-reference submitted applicant information against household income and existing social-protection databases, using a case-management approach adapted from the MEND programme to assess need and vulnerability rather than a simple means test. Some existing Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) beneficiaries, such as seniors, were automatically transitioned into LIFT. Approved applicants are notified of acceptance; at least one beneficiary reported receiving notification by email.
