Social Welfare recipients will no longer be able get financial assistance for funeral support, fire compensation and accident-related claims under the Government's Insurance Scheme from tomorrow after no funding was allocated for it in the 2026–2027 National Budget.
The scheme provided one-off financial assistance to eligible social welfare recipients.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection says the scheme, administered by the Ministry of Finance, will cease from tomorrow following the approval of the 2026–2027 National Budget, under which no funding was allocated for its continuation.
The Ministry says that while the scheme will end, Government assistance in these areas will continue through existing programmes and relevant Government agencies.
They say the Government has allocated $75,000 in the 2026-2027 financial year for immediate fire relief assistance under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, while the Ministry of Housing has been allocated $200,000 for fire reconstruction assistance.
They add that assistance for unclaimed bodies and healthcare-related support will also continue through relevant Government agencies, including the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
The Ministry says the Government has allocated about $184 million in the 2026-2027 financial year to support its key social protection programmes, including the Family Assistance Scheme, Child Protection Allowance, Disability Allowance Scheme, Social Pension Scheme, Transport Assistance Programme and the Allowance for Rural Pregnant Mothers.
They say they will continue to monitor the effectiveness and sustainability of the Government's social protection programmes and may revisit the Insurance Scheme for Social Welfare Recipients in future policy and budget discussions, with the public to be informed of any changes.
