More than 70,000 underprivileged people are currently benefitting under a number of initiatives through the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
The number of people assisted under the Poverty Benefit Scheme has increased to 26,023.
The Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation says the Poverty Benefit Scheme targets financial support to low‑income households.
These households receive monthly allowance from $35 to $127 and they also receive the monthly food voucher of $50.
There have been 2,860 new approvals for Poverty Benefit Scheme between August 2017 and February 2018.
There have been 2,561 terminations facilitated between August 2017 and February 2018 and the Northern division recorded the highest with 853 terminations over the last 7 months.
Meanwhile, 37,494 people are benefitting from the Social Pension Scheme.
This programme provides a social safety‑net for elderly citizens that are not receiving any form of Government assistance or pension support.
The monthly allowance was increased from $50 to $100 while the eligibility age was reduced from 66 years to 65 years. Currently, there are 5,531 recipients under Care Protection Allowance.
The numbers have increased by 14%.
This program ensures that underprivileged children are provided with proper care and protection and is specifically targeted at single mothers, deserted spouses, widows, prisoner dependents, foster parents/guardians and children under the care of the State.
2,597 people are benefitting under the Allowance for Persons with Disability.
This is programme was introduced last year which provides a monthly allowance of $90 to assist people living with permanent physical disability.
There are 1,143 recipients under the Voucher for Rural Pregnant Mothers Programme.
These pregnant women in rural areas receive an allowance of $50 per month.
The total budget for the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in the 2018/2019 National Budget is $133 million.
