Submission of hard-copy FA4JR documents to continue
April 09, 2020
The Financial Assistance for Job Retention (FA4JR) Committee has confirmed that the submission of physical, or ‘hard-copy’, application forms and supporting documents will still continue throughout the next three weeks.
Public health authorities announced on Tuesday 7 April that as of midnight the following day all non-essential services would be shut down until 29 April to further limit the movement of people in Seychelles and prevent the spread of COVID-19; hence the original decision to limit new FA4JR applications to electronic submissions was made the same day.
“After we assessed the feedback from applicants over the past 24 hours, we have decided to continue accepting physical documents in sealed envelopes,” said the Chairperson of the FA4JR Committee, Secretary of State for Finance Patrick Payet. “This was due to the very high volume of hard-copy applications received on Wednesday and feedback that many of the applicants have limited access to technology. Despite the very challenging circumstances, we will continue to do our best to make the application process as easy as possible.”
Application forms and supporting documents can be dropped off in sealed envelopes outside Liberty House, Victoria and at all District Administration offices during working hours. However, the committee is still encouraging applicants to submit applications electronically wherever possible.
The total number of applications received through the FA4JR scheme, which was set up to assist businesses, non-governmental organisations and the self-employed affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is 1262 as of the end of Wednesday 8 April 2020.
“For anyone still coming to drop off their application in the collection boxes, I appeal to you to respect the new measures put in place by the public health authorities and adhere to social distancing rules at the application submission points,” added SS Payet.
For more information on how to apply for the financial assistance scheme, please visit http://www.finance.gov.sc/financial-schemes or call the FA4JR Hotline on 2 82 82 62.