24,807 recipients currently being assisted under Poverty Benefit Scheme

The Department of Social Welfare is currently assisting 24,807 recipients under its Poverty Benefit Scheme.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa says in the last nine months 3,531 new approvals have been given under the Scheme.

Vuniwaqa says some cases have been terminated as a result of findings that proved the improved living conditions or death of recipients.

She also stresses that there are 25,492 recipients under the Social Pension Scheme.

Vuniwaqa says 6,973 new cases have been approved within the last nine months and 970 cases have bene terminated due to the passing away of the recipients.

She highlights that there are 3,918 recipients under the Bus fare Concession program.