PHILIPSBURG--The one-year GEBE-Social Services Utility Relief Programme will officially start today, Monday December 1, 2025, offering monthly utility-bill assistance to vulnerable residents across St. Maarten.
The pilot, which runs through November 30, 2026, is a partnership between NV GEBE and the Government of St Maarten through the Division of Labor Affairs and Social Services, and will provide eligible individuals with monthly utility vouchers to help reduce their GEBE bills.
The program will supply vouchers valued at XCG 50 each, with households receiving up to XCG 250 per month depending on income level and household size. Vouchers will be issued by Social Services and redeemed at GEBE offices when making bill payments. Each voucher is valid for three months and is non-transferable.
To qualify, applicants must be private individuals with a GEBE account in their name, be legally registered residents of St. Maarten, and be verified by Social Services as financially vulnerable. Persons already receiving financial aid may be eligible, but must still apply. New applicants who can demonstrate vulnerability may also apply.
Applications are submitted directly to Social Services, either in person or by email. Required documents include valid identification, proof of residency, recent GEBE bills, income documents, household income details, and medical documentation if claiming medical hardship. Incomplete applications will not be processed, and processing time varies based on volume and completeness.
Voucher distribution will occur monthly, and participants must pay any remaining balance after the voucher deduction or arrange a payment plan with GEBE. Social Services will conduct bimonthly reviews to ensure participants remain eligible, with updated documentation required when requested.
The programme will include strict protections for personal information under the Data Protection Ordinance, with access limited to authorized staff. Individuals may request corrections, access their data, or object to certain uses.
Residents with questions or complaints may contact Social Services at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with written complaints investigated within 15 business days. GEBE will handle voucher redemption and verification at all office locations during business hours.
The initiative aims to ease financial pressure on vulnerable households while the government evaluates the programme’s effectiveness over its first year.
