The Agency for Social Protection (ASP), in collaboration with the Seychelles Trading Company (STC), has reintroduced the welfare card under the STC programme. ASP says the initiative supports people who qualify for welfare assistance.
The card can be used at the STC Hypermarket on Mahé and at the STC mini market on Praslin. Cardholders can purchase essential goods sold by STC.
The Director for Operations at ASP, Julianna Augustin, said the card forms part of existing welfare assistance. She said ASP will now channel a portion of welfare payments through the STC card. She added that the card is not a standalone benefit and depends on individual eligibility.
Ms Augustin said ASP has put measures in place to manage applications. Firstly Applicants must complete a registration form. She says ASP will then vet and approve applications. After approval, she adds that ASP will forward details to STC to produce the card.
Ms Augustin confirmed that ASP will issue the card to successful applicants. She said ASP will credit funds to the card and cardholders will access the funds using a personal identification number. She added that fingerprint identification will provide an additional security layer.
The Chief Executive Officer of ASP, Roma Edmond, urged eligible beneficiaries to use the funds credited to the card. She said STC will reimburse unredeemed funds to the government. She added that STC will submit a usage report to ASP every six months.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of STC, David Jean Baptiste, said the card could be accepted at more outlets in the future. He said STC plans to form strategic partnerships with other businesses.
The STC card programme began in 2019. It was phased out in 2021 under the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa government.