Subsidised Phones for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs Project)
This project aims to provide mobile devices with assistive features, at a subsidised cost, for all persons with disabilities (PwDs) inclusive of the visually impaired and hearing-impaired, who receive specified government grants from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services or National Insurance Board.The Authority proposes to subsidise up to TTD $600 of the cost of the device.
Guidelines for Participation
Participants wishing to benefit from this initiative must:
- Meet the eligibility criteria established above to benefit from the subsidy.
- Cover any differences in excess of TTD600.
- Enter into an agreement with the Authority and the respective service provider.
Click for Subsidised Phones for Persons with Disabilities – Implementation Plan
Criteria for PwDs
The following criteria must be met for an individual to qualify for a subsidised mobile device:
- The applicant must be a resident of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
- The applicant must qualify under one of the 2 options specified below:
Option 1: The applicant has any disability and is receiving a grant from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS).
Option 2: The Applicant is visually-impaired or hearing-impaired and in receipt of an invalidity grant, public assistance grant, food support cards or senior citizens’ pension Note: Evidence of the disability must be provided, such as a medical report or doctor’s certificate identifying and confirming the disability.
Procedure for PwDs to Receive an Assistive Device
- PWDs@tatt.org.tt
- Phone, Text or WhatsApp: Trinidad 688-8363 or 688-8136
- Tobago 722-1274 or 722-1502
Participants must call the Authority’s offices to schedule an appointment.
There is also the option to apply online, without the need for appointment.
- On the date of the appointment, the PwD will be required to submit a completed application form.
- For online applications, the application can be filled out an sent electronically (eg. via Email or WhatsApp).
- The PwD will also be required to submit the following documents to the Authority:
- Copy of national photo identification.
- Copy of most recent disability grant, public assistance grant or senior citizens’ pension (if paid via cheque).
- Copy of evidence of visual or hearing disability (medical report or doctor’s certificate). This is not required for disability grant recipients.
- The Authority will validate the eligibility of the applicant by verifying their information with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.
- The Authority, upon its satisfaction that all the criteria have been met, will approve the application and issue an authorisation letter to the applicant
- The applicant will submit the original authorisation letter to his preferred service provider at an authorised location and proceed to choose an assistive device.
- The applicant will be required to pay the retailer any outstanding amounts (10% of the first TTD $600 or any amounts in excess of the approved threshold).