WILLEMSTAD - Kas di Kuido 'Nos Welita' has submitted its subsidy application late, according to the Ministry of Social Development in a press release. The ministry is reported to have repeatedly reminded the elderly care home to submit its subsidy application on time.
The ministry states that it has emphasized several times how important it is for 'Nos Welita' to submit the required documents as soon as possible, despite exceeding the legal deadline. Additionally, the foundation has been invited to various mandatory conferences organized by the ministry, but 'Nos Welita' remained absent.
According to the applicable subsidy regulation for 2024, outlined in the National Decree subsidy 2016, a subsidy application for an activity lasting up to 12 months must be submitted annually. An application must be submitted at least 14 weeks before the start of the activity, meaning that for subsidies starting on January 1, 2024, the deadline was September 25, 2023. Until that date, the ministry had not received an application from 'Nos Welita.'
On January 29, 2024, the ministry still had not received an application, leading to a renewed call to the foundation. It is not the responsibility of the ministry to send such reminders, but despite that, 'Nos Welita' was encouraged to submit an application to consider how the foundation could be supported, given previous negligence.
On February 18, 2024, SOAW (Social, Welfare and Labor) received an email from 'Nos Welita,' indicating that they had not received any subsidy for 2024. This prompted a detailed explanation from the ministry about why the subsidy could not be granted, namely due to the lack of a timely application.
Finally, on February 27, the ministry received a subsidy application from 'Nos Welita' for 2024. Although this application, retroactive to January 2024, violates the subsidy regulation, the ministry has pledged to process the application as soon as possible.
The well-being of the elderly residing in 'Nos Welita' is a priority for the Ministry of SOAW. Therefore, preparations have already been made to ensure guaranteed care if needed.