Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya says they have received reports of people who are allegedly receiving social welfare assistance to which they are not rightfully entitled to.
She says the most recent report is that of families who are still receiving assistance after older persons in these respective families have deceased.
The Ministry has also received reports from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit and the general public alleging possible abuse of social welfare allowance particularly our social pension scheme which is meant for the senior citizens above the age of 65 years.
Tabuya says the Ministry is very vigilant and is conducting investigations on complaints received and Fijians caught cheating the system will be dealt with by the law.
She says as the Minister, she is humbly requesting all Fijians to restrain from abusing Government’s social protection assistance.
She further adds if anyone is cheating the system, they are not cheating the Government but they are cheating a deserving older person or destitute from receiving what is rightfully theirs.
The minister says in all instances where recipients are now deceased, the family members are encouraged to report this so they can be assisted through the Fiji Government’s Life Insurance scheme for funeral services.
Tabuya says the Ministry will continue to strengthen the systems to ensure that the social protection allowance are given to individuals or families that meet the eligibility criteria and are in real need.
She has also requested the public to contact 3312199 if they know of someone who may be possibly abusing the social welfare scheme.
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