Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

COVID-19 Social Assistance Guidelines and Applications

To mitigate the financial challenges experienced by persons who were retrenched, terminated or experienced reduced income as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS)  in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development (MOLSED), have put various measures in place to support affected persons who are citizens or permanent residents of Trinidad and Tobago.


For Employers/Employees

Guidelines for Persons Who Were Retrenched, Terminated or Experienced Lost or Reduced Income

In keeping with Government’s initiative to mitigate the financial challenges experienced by persons who were Retrenched, Terminated or experienced Reduced Income as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development (MOLSED), have put in place varied measures to support affected persons who are citizens or permanent residents of Trinidad and Tobago.

In this regard, the Government is committed to provide the following financial assistance to the Retrenched/Terminated/or those experiencing reduced income for a period not exceeding three (3) months:

  • Income support
  • Food support
  • Rental fee support

Application Form for Persons Who Were Retrenched, Terminated or Experienced Lost or Reduced Income

The Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development (MOLSED) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS), in response to Government’s initiatives to mitigate the social and economic effects related to the spread of ‘COVID 19’ in Trinidad and Tobago, especially as they impact upon the most vulnerable among us, is requesting from employers the under-mentioned information on behalf of employees, so affected, in your organisation/business.

Employees must be Citizens or Permanent Residents of Trinidad and Tobago. To complete this form with the agreement of your employees, they must have been either Retrenched, Terminated or had their Income Reduced on or after March 1st, 2020.

Please click the “Download Application” button to view and download the application and guidelines for successful completion and submission.
(Click “download” in the upper-right corner of the application to save/download the application.)


For Self-Employed Individuals

Guidelines for Persons Who Experienced Lost or Reduced Income

In keeping with Government’s initiative to mitigate the financial challenges experienced by persons who experienced Reduced Income as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development (MOLSED), have put in place varied measures to support affected persons.

In this regard, the Government is committed to providing the following financial assistance to those experiencing reduced income for a period not exceeding three (3) months:

  • Income support
  • Food support
  • Rental fee support

Application Form for Persons Who Experienced Lost or Reduced Income

The Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development (MOLSED) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, in response to Government’s initiatives to mitigate the social and economic effects related to the spread of ‘COVID 19’ in Trinidad and Tobago, especially as they impact upon the most vulnerable among us, is requesting the undermentioned information.

To qualify for this assistance, you must have experienced a Loss/Reduction in Income on or after March 1st, 2020.

Please click the “Download Application” button to view and download the application and guidelines for successful completion and submission.
(Click “download” in the upper-right corner of the application to save/download the application.)


For additional information and enquiries, please call the following hotline number: 800 -1MSD (800 –1673).

Courtesy of the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development.