Government of Jamaica to Pilot Digital ‘Proof of Life’ Service for Pensioners
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), ICT Authority (JAMICTA) and the National Identity and Registration Authority (NIRA) are preparing to pilot a new digital solution, AMALIVE. AMALIVE is a web, and mobile application that makes it easier for pensioners to prove their existence. This is the latest initiative in the GoJ’s thrust to improve citizens’ services through the use of technology. Currently 90% complete, the AMALIVE solution will shortly undergo pilot testing among a select group of pensioners to assess usability and effectiveness. AMALIVE will significantly improve the current proof of life method where pensioners are required to complete a manual process to verify their existence, which includes physically visiting National Insurance Scheme (NIS) offices or submitting notarized documentation by mail. This approach is often inconvenient and can be particularly challenging for persons with disabilities, or those residing abroad. It also imposes significant administrative overhead on the government entities responsible for managing pension verifications.
Developed jointly by JAMICTA and NIRA, AMALIVE will offer a user-friendly platform through which pensioners can complete their proof-of-life verification remotely using biometric and ID document validation. Once fully deployed, the service will result in improved convenience, enhanced security including less pension fraud or missed payments and more efficient pension administration. However, it is important to note that the existing paper-based process will remain available for those who are unable to use the digital system, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all pensioners. A comprehensive communications and outreach campaign will be implemented to raise awareness among pensioners about the features, requirements, and support available for using the application during the three month/three-week pilot phase.
In addition to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Accountant General’s Department – both of which will benefit from streamlined administration of the NIS and other Government pension programmes, the pilot is being supported by other critical stakeholders. These include the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), and the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), all of which are instrumental in ensuring that the needs of pensioners are accommodated during the implementation process. Further details regarding the national rollout of AMALIVE will be shared following the successful completion and evaluation of the pilot phase.
Kingston, Jamaica – The ICT Authority has upgraded and replaced the certificate renewal and generation systems at TAJ and the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) providing users with a more efficient, reliable and convenient web-based service. Motorists no longer receive paper-based motor vehicle registration and fitness certificates at the island’s tax offices and motor vehicle examination depots.
As at Monday, July 21, 2025, TAJ and ITA customers are directed to an online certificate service to view or retrieve a digital copy of their fitness and motor vehicle registration certificates after successfully completing their motor vehicle transactions. The convenient citizens portal, the certificate generation and delivery service (CGDS) can be accessed via the national portal GOV.JM as well as the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport and TAJ’s websites.
CIO of the ICT Authority, Anika Shuttleworth explains that to deliver the landmark digital service TAJ customers are now enjoying, her technical team had to make important upgrades to the TAJ’s cashier system to facilitate the new two-year registration period as well as to allow for customers to receive their certificates digitally.
The automated Fitness Management System, which supports the delivery of digital fitness certificates, represents a major overhaul of the previous system which had been hampered by frequent downtimes, severely impacting the Island Traffic Authority’s ability to serve clients efficiently. The new system is built to implement the government’s policy directive of increasing the fitness validity period for new vehicles to five years and that for vehicles ten years old or less to three years.
Mrs. Shuttleworth points out that in addition to reducing the cost of pre-printed stationery with embedded security features and improving overall on customer service, the continued automation of key government services by the ICT Authority is in keeping with the government’s thrust to improve efficiency and customer service across the public sector.
Motorists will receive email instructions on how to safely access, view and print the digital copies of their new motor vehicle and fitness certificates from the citizens portal at www.gov.jm. Users must visit the website directly since no clickable links are not shared via email to prevent phishing and scamming attempts. No passwords are required to access the portal.
