Social Welfare Minister Dr. Jiko Luveni has refuted claims that the ministry is not getting enough funds to accommodate recipients under the Family Assistance Program.
This follows claims by Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry that the Ministry is cutting off most of the 19,000 recipients under the Ministry's Family Assistance.
Chaudhry claimed the ministry does not have enough funds to accommodate these recipients.
However, Dr. Luveni stressed the ministry has sufficient funds.
She added that following the review, some recipients who are 70 years and over may fall under the Social Pension Benefit Scheme while some may fall under the Family Benefit Scheme.
The Social Pension Scheme is expected to benefit more than 9000 people who are 70 years and over and those who are eligible will receive $30 monthly however that person must not have access to any superannuation or other means of income.
This scheme will assist those who were previously receiving no form of financial support.
During the review process those whose economic conditions have improved over the years and are now capable of financially supporting their families will be graduated from the program and will be re-programmed for those who need it the most.
The Poverty Benefit Scheme with a total budget of $22.6 million is expected to assist approximately 13,000 households with a maximum payment of $150 per month and part of this amount consists of $30 food voucher.
Major reforms are being carried out in the Social Welfare Program which is expected to increase coverage of Fiji's poor population from 3% under the previous system to 10 percent under the new system.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash
