Senior citizens above 68 years who do not receive any form of pensions will qualify for the Social Pension Scheme from mid next year.
Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Sofia Akbar said currently citizens above 70 years receive the Social Pension if they are not beneficiaries of the FNPF or lump sum, Ex-serviceman or Aftercare funds, Government pension or Poverty benefit scheme.
She added the current Social Pension Scheme of $30 per month will increase to $50 per month from January next year.
Akbar highlights they have made a request to the government for an increment in their 2015 budget.
The total budget allocated to the Ministry for 2014 was $39.5 million.
She stresses that the Ministry will continue with all its programs next year and will try to expand its assistance to more individuals and families in Fiji.
According to Akbar, they will expand their outreach program through initiatives such as public consultations, regular visits to the communities and Non-Government Organizations to ensure that the lives of the people improve and their concerns are addressed.
She said the Ministry will also review its Income Generating and Livelihood projects to monitor the progress and to address any setbacks.
Akbar also highlighted that the Ministry will look at new partnership with the private public stakeholders to explore new areas of economic empowerment of families.
She added the Ministry is currently working on a program whereby the people in most remote areas of Fiji will have the privilege to access the benefits at their doorstep. The social welfare officers will deliver the benefits and food packs to these people.
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