There will be changes in the Social Protection Programmes

There will be changes in the Social Protection Programmes

The Ministry for Women, Children And Poverty Alleviation is advising members of the public and beneficiaries of Social Welfare that there will be changes in the Social Protection Programmes and the Ministry will now be called the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection.

The Ministry is advising their beneficiaries that the Poverty Benefit Scheme will now be referred to as the Family Assistance Scheme and the Expanded Food Voucher Program for Rural Pregnant Mothers will be known as the Food Allowance Program for the Rural Pregnant Mothers.

They say it's important that all existing Care and Protection and Family Assistance recipients to note that the supplying of food vouchers through the initial vendors will cease, however, the Government will top up the $50 food voucher value to the allowances deposited through their bank accounts and mobile wallets.

They further say that the recipients of the Care & Protection, Disability Allowance Scheme and Family Assistance will have a 15 percent increase in allowance from this month's payout where children not in school will now receive $33 rather than the old rate of $29 per month.

They say children in Primary School will now receive $40 rather than the old rate of $35 per month, children in Secondary School will now receive $52 rather than the old rate of $46 per month, children with disabilities will receive $79 rather than the old rate of $69 per month and children in residential homes will now receive $138 rather than the old rate of $120 per month.

The $50 food voucher value will be added to the above amounts respectively.

The Ministry adds that the new Social Protection allowances which will be paid out this month will be inclusive of the 15 percent increase.

The Ministry says for 1 household person in the Family Assistance Scheme, the new rate has changed from $35 to $40 per month; for 2 household persons; the new rate is from $58 to $66 per month; for 3 household persons; the new rates have changed from $92 to $105 per month and for 4 household person: new rates have changed from $127 to $146 per month. $50 food voucher value will be added to the above amounts respectively.

They say the recipients for the social pension scheme who are above 70 years will receive a 25% increase to their allowance, whilst those between ages 65-69 years will receive a 15% increase in their allowance. This means if you are 65 to 69 years, the new SPS allowance will be $115 per month while for those who are 70 years and over, the SPS allowance will be $125 per month.

They further say that allowance for Persons with Disability, beneficiaries will be receiving $104 per month (currently it is $90 per month) and Bus Fare Assistance will now be administered every month with a monthly value of $25 as opposed to $75 per quarter.

The general welfare recipients’ family is requested to bear with the Ministry as they try to process the August monthly payment which is on the 5th of every month and since the 5th of August is on a Saturday, they are requesting the patience from all their recipients as there may be delays whereby allowances will be in the respective accounts by next Monday.