Number of people on Social Pension Scheme continues to increase – Vuniwaqa

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa says 45,000 people are currently benefitting from the Social Pension Scheme and the number continues to increase exceeding projections.

While speaking in parliament, Vuniwaqa says the scheme has been allocated $55 million.

Vuniwaqa says 25,000 families are under the Poverty Benefit Scheme which was allocated $38.3 million.

The Minister says 52,000 elderly persons and persons with disabilities benefit from the Bus fare Concession which was allocated $6.5 million.

She also highlighted that under the Care and Protection Allowance, 8000 households are being assisted adding $12 million has been allocated for this.

Vuniwaqa says this Scheme is for a duration of 5 years however some families continue to be assisted through the scheme until the children turn 18 years old.

She highlighted that 3279 rural pregnant mothers have been assisted since the inception of the Rural Pregnant Mothers Program in 2014.

8,000 recipients are assisted under the Disability Allowance Scheme.