Beneficiaries of Social Pension Scheme will now receive $100

Beneficiaries of the Social Pension Scheme will now receive $100 as announced in the 2017-2018 National Budget.

The age requirement for those receiving the assistance has now decreased from 70 years to 65 years.

This assistance is for those who do not have any form of income or have never been beneficiaries of a superannuation fund.

$1.15 million has been allocated for the Child Protection Allowance that will target single mothers, deserted spouses, widows, prisoner dependents and children under the care of the State to ensure that underprivileged children are provided proper care and protection.

The Food Voucher Program for rural pregnant mothers will receive an increase of $50 from $30 dollars to reduce incidences of malnutrition and other pregnancy complication.

The Children Protection allowance will increase to $119 with the inclusion of a $50 food voucher for parents and guardians of Foster parents.

The Poverty Benefit Scheme has been allocated $8.2 million to cater for an additional 2,294 recipients.

Minister for Economy has also announced $7.9 million for new initiatives for the people with disabilities.

Also $200,000 is allocated as grants to umbrella women’s bodies namely the Makoi Vocational Training Centre, the Ba Women’s Forum to assist in providing skills training to women.

The overall budget for the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in the 2017-2018 Budget is $113.4 millions.