The Utilities Assistance Programme (UAP) is a social intervention strategy, introduced by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, which provides financial assistance to eligible citizens to ensure their continued access to basic utilities such as water and electricity. The Programme is aimed at enhancing the real income of beneficiaries by cushioning the effects of the rising costs of public utilities.

The UAP was derived from the Hardship Relief Programme (HRP), which operated from 1997 to 2009, and provided financial support to Old Age Pensioners and recipients of Public Assistance who had a genuine inability to pay their Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) bills.

The Programme is managed and facilitated by the Ministry of Public Utilities in collaboration with the Ministry of the People and Social Development, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC). 

Benefits to Citizens

Relief under the UAP comes in the form of a subsidy, which WASA and T&TEC apply to the beneficiary’s utility bill. 

In the case of WASA Customers, the subsidy will be applied as follows:

• A2 customers, that is, persons with an external water supply, will receive a credit of $70.00 per year

• A3 or A4 customers, that is, persons with an internal water supply, non-metered and metered, will receive a credit of $100.00 per year.

In the case of T&TEC Customers, the subsidy will be applied as follows:

• 50% of electricity bill, up to $57 per bill or a maximum of $342 per year

Who Can Apply

To access the UAP, applicants must complete the prescribed application form, providing all of the requested information.  A Trinidad and Tobago citizen who wishes to apply to become a beneficiary of the Programme must be a recipient of the Senior Citizens’ Pension, (formally known as the Old Age Pension), a Disability Grant or any other public assistance from the Ministry of the People and Social Development.

In the case of WASA Customers, the following is relevant:

• Applicant must be a residential customer who owns one property in Class A2, A3 or A4

In the case of T&TEC Customers, the following is relevant:

• Applicant must have an average consumption of over three (3) billing periods (6 months) of 400kW or less.

How to Apply

Persons interested in applying to receive assistance from the UAP can do so by completing an application form which can be obtained from any of WASA’s or T&TEC’s Customer Service Centres, from the Ministry of Public Utilities or from the Ministry of the People and Social Development.

Applicants must submit the following documents to the Customer Service Unit of the Ministry of Public Utilities:

• Valid ID

• Land Tax Receipt

• Certificate of Assessment

• Proof of Receipt of Welfare assistance or grants from the Ministry of the People and Social Development

• WASA or T&TEC Utility Bill

And provide the following information:

• Name

• Home Address

• Telephone Contacts

• Social Assistance File Number

For additional information please contact the Customer Service Unit at the Ministry of Public Utilities at:

Ministry of Public Utilities
#2 Elizabeth Street
St. Clair
Phone: 628-9500 (exts. 1116, 1120);
Fax: 628-6067