Legislators sparred in the House of Assembly yesterday over the introduction of penalties for assaulting financial assistance officers or using abusive language towards staff.

The debate came as MPs agreed to raise the cut-off for financial assistance from $500 in the bank to $5,000, in keeping with the island’s rising cost of living.

The Financial Assistance Amendment (No 2) Act 2023 also allows recipients to retain earnings not exceeding $5,000, and up to 50 per cent of child support payments, also not exceeding $5,000.

The amendments brought by Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, empower the financial assistance director to retrieve funds where there was non-disclosure of an erroneous payment, as well as misrepresentation and fraud.

Aggrieved parties could appeal decisions before the Financial Assistance Review Board.

It further makes it a summary offence to “assault or obstruct an officer of financial assistance” or to use “indecent, abusive or insulting language” towards staff — carrying up to six months’ imprisonment or a $1,500 fine.

Lovitta Foggo, a government backbencher, commended the extension of benefits, recalling her past as a single mother and calling the reforms “common sense”.

However, Susan Jackson, of the One Bermuda Alliance, questioned whether the penalty for abusive behaviour took into account the mental health of recipients — asking if it was “creating a criminal element”.

Zane DeSilva, a government MP, responded that staff at the Department Financial Assistance “probably put up with more abuse than any other department in the country”.

Mr Hayward said it was “unfortunate” that a debate on amendments broadening benefits had been sidetracked on the deterrence of bad behaviour.

“We are not trying to criminalise individuals,” he told the House. “We do need to set a standard of behaviour.”

He added: “The fact we had to put a security guard in the department speaks volumes. This is not a department that collects funds.

“What is the security guard securing? Protecting the staff from various behaviours.”

The legislation was approved.