This service is intended for persons who have insufficient or no income to purchase boat-fare or airfare to the island of domicile after medical consultation or financial hardship.
- Persons earning minimum wage or below.
- Bahamian citizen or permanent resident.
- Over the age of 18.
- The applicant makes a request at the Outreach Centre within their residential boundaries, or online via the DOSS webpage.
- The Social Service Representative (SSR) conducts an interview and a home visit to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
- The SSR completes a report and a recommendation is made about applicant’s eligibility.
- The SSR contacts and informs the applicant of eligibility.
Community Support Services Division Outreach Centres – four (4) locations in New Providence:-
Fox Hill Centre
Davis Building, Bernard Road
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 364-2200
Pitt Road Centre
V.B. Munnings Building, Pitt Road
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 326-1850
Robinson Road Centre
Alexander House, Robinson Road
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 397-2524
Wulff Road Centre
Sunshine Plaza, Baillou Hill Road (temporary location)
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 604-4200
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Family Island applicants may apply for services at the local DOSS’ sub-office on the island where they are domiciled or they may apply online. The SSR will contact them in order to implement steps to assess eligibility.
Note: This service requires inputs from the following agencies:
-
Princess Margaret Hospital for medical assessment.
- Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre for psychological evaluation.
- Bahamasair Ticket Agents.
- Charter Airplane Ticket Agents.
- Mailboat Captains for Boat Fares.
- Bahamas Fast Ferries Ticket Agent.
The application is the General Assistance Form (GAF), which may be completed online by the applicant or in-office by the SSR at the Outreach Centre within their residential boundaries.
For Citizens
- Valid Passport.
- Valid N.I.B. Card.
- Current Pay Slip or Job Letter or Termination Letter.
- Birth Certificate/Affidavit or Valid Passport of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and Proof of Guardianship.
- Marriage certificate and similar documents of identification for spouse, as indicated above.
- Divorce decree or legal separation documents to verify status.
- Doctor’s letter, if unable to work due to ill health.
- Quote from the Mail-boats or Ferries that are vendor-ready.
- Quote from Bahamasair or other vendor-ready Airlines or Private Charters.
For Permanent Residents (Non-Citizens)
- Valid Passport.
- Proof of Citizenship/Permanent Residency.
- Valid Work Permit.
- Birth Certificate of child or children under the age of eighteen (18) years, and proof of Guardianship.
- Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal separation documents, where applicable.
- Doctor’s letter, if unable to work due to ill health.
- Quote from the Mail-boats or Ferries that are vendor-ready.
- Quote from Bahamasair or other vendor-ready Airlines or Private Charters.
There are NO FEES associated with this service.
Department of Social Services
Sunshine Plaza
Baillou Hill Road
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
P.O. Box N-1545
Tel: (242) 604-4200
Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.