Social Pension recipients may receive reduced allowance if their circumstances have changed - Poole

Some recipients under the Social Pension Scheme may receive a reduced payment if their circumstances have changed however the allowance is still $100 per month.

Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Jennifer Poole says they do this assessment on an annual basis and people can come to the Ministry for clarification if there has been a reduction in their allowance.

SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula had posted on his Facebook page that the Social Pension Scheme for senior citizens has been reduced from $100 a month to $80 and $52.

Nawaikula says he received a call from a distraught pensioner complaining that his old age pension that is usually $100 per month was reduced to $80 when he checked at the ATM to collect last month.

When questioned by fijivillage, Poole says this is because the circumstances of these people may have changed.

Poole adds this will be done on a case by case basis.

43,909 people are currently being assisted through the Social Pension Scheme.