MSME Restoration Grant Programme

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Full details for both grants are below — who qualifies, what’s covered, and how to apply. Not sure which one fits you? Jump to the comparison, or read through FASST and Tools of Trade first.

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Was Your Business Damaged By Hurricane Melissa?

The FASST Biz Grant helps eligible micro and small businesses repair premises and replace tools and equipment damaged during the hurricane.

Who Qualifies

Micro and small businesses with up to 20 employees and annual turnover up to J$75 million, in these priority sectors:

• Personal services — salons, barbershops, dry cleaners, gyms
• Wholesale and retail trade
• Food and beverage services — restaurants, cafés, coffee shops

There are two ways to qualify for either grant:

• Registered businesses:
  • valid business registration
  • turnover under J$75 million/year
  • a valid TRN, FY2024/25 taxes filed
  • payroll returns (S01) if you have employees.
• Mom-and-Pop shops:
  • a trade licence from your Municipal Authority, or registration with COJ or TPDCo
  • plus a valid TRN.
  • Full formal registration is not required.

Eligibility

Support is based on need — The grant goes toward repairing your premises and replacing the specific tools and equipment your business lost. Grant allocations vary based on the size of the business and the industry in which it operates. Confirmation of grant amount will be communicated after applications have been assessed and approved.

What it can be used for

This isn’t a cash payment made directly to you. Instead, we pay approved suppliers on your behalf for the repairs, tools or equipment covered by your grant. Once you’re approved, you’ll be told exactly how and when this happens.

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Did you lose your tools?

If you are Self Employed, your business is not registered formally — and the hurricane damaged or destroyed the tools you used to earn a living, this grant is for you.

Who qualifies

Self-employed individuals working in an eligible trade or service, including:

• Craft and market vendors
• Mechanics
• Carpenters
• Masons
• Tailors
• Hairdressers and barbers
• Gardeners
• Beauty therapists and cosmetologists
• Cook shop operators

Disclaimer: Not eligible: licensed professionals and independent contractors such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers and IT specialists.

Eligibility

The Tools of Trade Grant provides a fixed amount, the same for every eligible individual, to replace the tools and equipment you lost — no formal business registration required. Your grant is confirmed once your application is verified.

What you’ll need

• A valid TRN
• A signed verification letter confirming you’re self-employed in your trade —
  • from a Justice of the Peace (JP), Member of Parliament (MP),
  • or the president of a recognized industry association
  • or chamber (PSOJ, JMEA, JCC, SBAJ, MSME Alliance,
  • or your Parish Chamber of Commerce)

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Compare FASST Biz Grant vs. Tools of Trade (ToT) Grant

Not sure which applies to you? Here’s a quick side-by-side:

	FASST Biz Grant	Tools of Trade (ToT) Grant
Who is it for?	Registered or semi-formal micro/small businesses	Self-employed tradespeople who don’t qualify for FASST
What it covers	Business recovery: premises, tools, equipment	Replacing lost or damaged tools of trade
Support amount	Varies by sector and business size	A fixed amount, the same for every eligible individual
Registration needed?	Business registration, trade licence, or COJ/TPDCo record	Not required
TRN required?	Yes	Yes
Verification	TRN + document checks + site inspection	TRN + signed verifier letter (JP/MP/chamber) + inspection

How to apply — the same 5 steps for both programmes

Applications are submitted online at restoration.miic.gov.jm. The deadline to apply is November 16, 2026 — apply early to allow time for verification.

1. Apply – Submit your application online through the official application platform (restoration.miic.gov.jm). This creates a permanent, time-stamped record of your application.
2. Eligibility screening – We check your application against the criteria for the programme you applied to — location, level of damage, sector, and registration status.
3. Verification & inspection – The MIIC team will do onsite inspection & verification
4. Approval – Once verification is complete, your application is approved for the applicable grant.
5. Disbursement – MIIC will contact you re disbursement of funds

What you’ll need before you start

• Your TRN
• Business information and registration/licensing details, where applicable
• Details of how the hurricane affected you — what was damaged, lost, or disrupted
• An estimate of the value of your losses
• For the Tools of Trade Grant: your signed verifier letter (JP, MP, or chamber president)

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Get Help

Have a question, or need help with your application? Please see our help desk information below or check the FAQs below first.

Contact Us | See FAQs