$73.6B approved for Cash Grant distribution

February 10, 2026

The Government of Guyana has secured approval for more than $73.6 billion to distribute cash grants to approximately 716,261 Guyanese, as part of disaster response and social support initiatives outlined in Budget 2026.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips confirmed the allocation during the consideration of estimates in the Parliamentary Committee of Supply, where funding for Disaster Preparedness, Response and Management was approved.

Addressing questions on the timeline for payments, Prime Minister Phillips stated that disbursement will begin after the passage of Budget 2026.

He explained that once the budget is approved, the Ministry of Finance will begin preparations for the release of funds and will notify the public of specific payout dates.

He stated that the President, has already communicated to the Guyanese people that this money will be paid after Budget 2026 is passed, noting that efforts are being made to ensure payments are issued as early as possible.

On the matter of registration, Phillips clarified that many beneficiaries will not need to re-register for the second tranche of the cash grant.

He noted that over 600,000 individuals were already registered during the previous distribution, and an existing database of eligible recipients remains in place.

The database will be reviewed and updated, and a new registration exercise will target an estimated 14,000 additional Guyanese who may now qualify.

“Obviously, it will be updated, and then we will have to do an additional registration exercise,” he said, adding that the process will also address outstanding eligibility matters.

Further details on registration updates and distribution mechanisms will be provided by the Ministry of Finance in the coming weeks.

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