Rebuild

Government relief programmes after Melissa

Every post-Melissa programme we could trace to an official page as of August 2026, with amounts, eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, from the ROOFS grant and NHT relief loan to the DBJ business programme and the income tax changes.

By Simone Reid, Property & Rebuild Editor · Reviewed 21 Aug 2026

official newsSource: Jamaica Information Servicechecked 21 Aug 2026

On this page

Melissa made landfall in late October 2025. In the ten months since, the Government has announced a long list of relief measures, some of which have already closed. This guide lists only programmes with an official page we read on the review date, and gives the deadline where one was published. If a programme is not here, we could not find it on a Government site; ask the agency directly rather than trusting a forwarded message.

Housing: the Shelter Recovery Programme and ROOFS

The Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) was launched on 15 January 2026 with six initiatives: the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) grant, government-led repair, partnership-led repair, National Housing Trust support, modular housing, and relocation or regularisation. JIS reported that ROOFS was allocated an initial J$10 billion; by 7 March 2026 J$5.22 billion had been disbursed.

Who qualifies. The Office of the Prime Minister stated on 16 December 2025 that only structures formally assessed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) are eligible for a Government grant for roof repairs or other reconstruction support. Around 40,144 homes had been assessed by 9 December 2025. If yours has not, self-report on the MLSS Hurricane Melissa household damage reporting form.

How much. Grant sums are determined by the verified assessment: J$75,000 for minor damage, J$200,000 for major damage and J$500,000 for severe damage. JIS's Get the Facts page breaks down the larger grants: for major damage J$75,000 is flexible and J$125,000 is for materials only; for severe damage J$75,000 is flexible and J$425,000 is for rebuilding or repair only. The materials portion is redeemed by QR code at selected hardware stores.

How it is paid. Digital vouchers, prepaid or payment cards, direct deposits and approved remittance-based mechanisms, with cheques only in exceptional cases. MLSS contacts are on the Get the Facts page, including a dedicated email address and WhatsApp lines.

National Housing Trust

The NHT opened three measures for its contributors on 10 November 2025.

Hurricane Relief Loan. Up to J$3.5 million per collateral, subject to affordability, at a fixed 2 percent interest rate with a 2 percent service charge, over a maximum of 20 years or to age 70. Applicants must be homeowners who are current NHT contributors, with the property title as collateral. JIS reported on 20 March 2026 that the loan is being extended to March 2027.
Hurricane Relief Grant. A maximum of J$500,000 per collateral for current contributors affected by the hurricane, assessed on need and level of impact. JIS reported on 20 March 2026 that the grant, which the Prime Minister called the Special Disaster Relief Grant, prioritises those unable to take on additional borrowing, including pensioners, and that it had received more than 5,500 applications, with nearly 1,800 processed and close to J$1 billion disbursed.
Moratorium. Six months, November 2025 to April 2026; JIS reports that about 30,000 mortgagors across the seven hardest-hit parishes received it automatically. The moratorium ended 30 April 2026 and extension applications closed 30 June 2026; Brompton (St. Elizabeth) and Union Acres (St. James) got an automatic three-month extension. If an NHT-mortgaged home was damaged, the NHT's moratorium page also points to a peril insurance claim.

Businesses and farmers

The Development Bank of Jamaica's M5 Business Recovery Programme is a J$10 billion intervention announced on 4 December 2025, offering concessional loans, grants and credit enhancement to micro, small and medium enterprises, with up to J$50 million per enterprise, tenors of up to 10 years and 80 to 90 percent collateral support, delivered through approved financial institutions and microfinance institutions. JIS reported in February 2026 that it launches in the 2026-27 fiscal year, so check with your bank.

Farmers should contact RADA. The Ministry of Agriculture said RADA provides technical support and comprehensive damage assessments, reachable on 888-ASK-RADA or by WhatsApp on the number on its page.

Tax measures

Import relief ended. The customs duty and GCT exemption for relief supplies, which the Prime Minister told the House on 4 November 2025 would cover inverters and solar equipment including panels and batteries (JIS, 5 November 2025), had a hard stop of 15 January 2026 according to the Ministry of Finance.
Income tax. Parliament moved the final return and payment date from 15 March to 15 April starting with the 2025 year of assessment, and exempted disaster-related honoraria paid by employers between 1 November 2025 and 3 March 2026 from income tax.

Who is in charge

The National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) was established to lead and fast-track national rebuilding. When the Senate passed the Act on 12 May 2026, JIS reported that it contains winding-up provisions (Part Four) rather than a fixed end date. The OPM reported on 27 May 2026 that the NaRRA Bill had been assented into law, overseen by the independent Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC). Expect parish recovery plans and a national recovery framework to follow.

What we could not find

We found no official page for a Melissa-specific PATH top-up, for a property tax waiver, or for the constituency-level building support mentioned in Parliament in November 2025. If you are offered assistance under a programme not listed here, ask which agency runs it and look for it on that agency's site.

What JaRanks cannot do

JaRanks cannot apply for a grant or loan on your behalf, confirm your eligibility, or speed up an assessment. Programmes change quickly after a disaster; the amounts and deadlines above are as published on the review date, and the agency's page is the authority.

Steps

Get assessed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Every housing grant runs off the MLSS damage assessment. If no assessor has visited, self-report on the MLSS Hurricane Melissa household damage reporting form. Keep photographs and your own list of losses.
Agency
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
ROOFS grant for homeowners and occupants
The Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters grant pays J$75,000 for minor, J$200,000 for major and J$500,000 for severe damage, determined by the verified assessment. For major and severe damage only J$75,000 is flexible; the rest is for materials or repair, redeemable by QR code at selected hardware stores. Paid by digital voucher, prepaid card, direct deposit or remittance channel.
Agency
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Cost
Grant of J$75,000, J$200,000 or J$500,000 by assessed damage level
NHT contributors, apply for the relief loan or grant
The NHT Hurricane Relief Loan offers up to J$3.5 million per collateral at a fixed 2 percent interest rate over up to 20 years or to age 70, for homeowners who are current contributors and on the title. The Hurricane Relief Grant is up to J$500,000 per collateral, assessed on need; JIS reports it prioritises those unable to take on more borrowing, including pensioners. The loan has been extended to March 2027.
Agency
National Housing Trust
Cost
Loan up to J$3.5 million at 2 percent; grant up to J$500,000
Time
Loan applications open to March 2027
NHT mortgagors, check the moratorium
The six-month payment moratorium ran November 2025 to April 2026; JIS reports that about 30,000 mortgagors across the seven hardest-hit parishes received it automatically. Extension applications closed on 30 June 2026; Brompton in St. Elizabeth and Union Acres in St. James received an automatic three-month extension.
Agency
National Housing Trust
Businesses and farmers
The Development Bank of Jamaica's J$10 billion M5 Business Recovery Programme offers concessional loans, grants and collateral support of up to J$50 million per enterprise through approved financial institutions, launching in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Farmers call RADA on 888-ASK-RADA for damage assessment and technical support.
Agency
Development Bank of Jamaica, RADA
Know which tax measures still apply
The customs duty and GCT exemption on relief supplies, including solar panels, batteries and inverters, ended with a hard stop on 15 January 2026. Income tax final returns moved from 15 March to 15 April from the 2025 year of assessment, and disaster honoraria paid by employers between 1 November 2025 and 3 March 2026 are not taxable.
Agency
Ministry of Finance and Tax Administration Jamaica

Questions people ask

How do I get a ROOFS grant?

You do not apply for ROOFS directly; the grant follows the MLSS damage assessment. The Office of the Prime Minister says only homes formally assessed by the MLSS are eligible. If no assessor has come, self-report on the MLSS Hurricane Melissa household damage reporting form and keep evidence of the damage. Grant levels are J$75,000, J$200,000 and J$500,000 by assessed severity.

Can I spend the whole ROOFS grant however I want?

No. JIS's Get the Facts page explains that for major damage J$75,000 is flexible and J$125,000 is for materials only, and for severe damage J$75,000 is flexible and J$425,000 is for rebuilding or repair only, redeemed through QR codes at selected hardware stores.

Is the NHT hurricane loan still open?

Yes as of this review. JIS reported in March 2026 that the NHT Hurricane Relief Loan is being extended to March 2027. It offers up to J$3.5 million per collateral at a fixed 2 percent interest rate to homeowners who are current contributors and listed on the property title, over up to 20 years or to age 70.

Is solar equipment still duty free because of Melissa?

No. The Ministry of Finance set 15 January 2026 as a hard stop for the Melissa import duty and GCT relief. Solar cells, inverters and photovoltaic batteries are on TAJ's standing list of GCT-exempt items, and JIS reported Senate approval in July 2024 of an income tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of a residential solar system, capped at J$1.2 million; see our solar guide.

Who is running the reconstruction overall?

The National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). The Office of the Prime Minister reported in May 2026 that the NaRRA Bill was assented into law, with an independent oversight committee, JAMRROC.