The COLCC is a Government of Barbados policy initiative introduced in the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals 2026. It provides $100 per month — $1,200 per year — to eligible seniors and welfare recipients in Barbados to help manage the rising cost of living. The COLCC is paid from the Consolidated Fund and administered by the National Insurance and Social Security Service (NISSS) on behalf of the Ministry of Finance.
No. The COLCC is a separate payment, in addition to any pension or welfare benefit you already receive. It will arrive as a separate deposit or cheque.
The COLCC is not taxable.
No. If you are already receiving your pension through NISSS and your income is below $50,000 per year, you are automatically included. Your COLCC will be paid by the same method as your pension — direct deposit or cheque — on the 20th of each month.
No. Special Needs Grant recipients already registered with NISSS are automatically included. Your COLCC payment will be dispatched via direct bank deposit or mailed cheque for delivery by the 20th.
It depends. If you are already registered in the NISSS system, no action is needed. If you are not yet registered with NISSS, you may register online, in person at the NISSS office or a temporary COLCC Registration Hub/Desk. Current Registration Hub/Desk locations and operating hours will be shared via radio and social media.
Yes, provided you are a Barbadian citizen or permanent resident living in Barbados not currently receiving any pension — locally or from abroad, and who may have received a one-time grant from NISSS. If you are not yet registered with NISSS, you may register online, in person at the NISSS office or at a temporary COLCC Registration Hub/Desk. Current Registration Hub/Desk locations and operating hours will be shared via radio and social media. NISSS will verify your eligibility before processing your first payment.
Barbadians residing abroad are not be eligible for the COLCC.
The target date for the first COLCC payment is April 20, 2026 for all eligible persons already registered with NISSS.
By the same method already used for your existing pension or grant — direct bank deposit or cheque. There is no need to visit NISSS to arrange this. If you wish to update your bank account details, contact the NISSS COLCC Contact Desk at (246) 431-7400
Payment will be made on the last business day prior to the 20th.
No.
No. There will only be one monthly COLCC payment per eligible person.
No. Persons residing abroad are not eligible to receive the COLCC.
Eligible persons who wish to change their payment frequency to quarterly or annually may do so by April 30, 2026. They should contact the COLCC Contact Desk at 431-7400 for guidance.
Quarterly payments will be issued on September 20, 2026; December 20, 2026; and March 20, 2027. Annual payments will be made on March 20, 2027. All eligible persons will receive monthly payments in April, May and June 2026.
You may register online, in person at the NISSS office, or at a temporary COLCC Registration Hub/Desk where the NISSS Registration team will be available to assist you to register.
Current Registration Hub/Desk locations and operating hours will be shared via broadcast radio and social media.
By the dedicated COLCC Contact Desk at (246) 431-7400, online via this site, or via the general NISSS Customer Contact Centre at (246) 467-4647.
Contact the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA) at (246) 435-1000 or (246) 435-1023 for queries about welfare eligibility and existing welfare payments. For all questions about your COLCC payment specifically, contact the NISSS COLCC Contact Desk.