Senior citizens above 70 years who do not have any form of income or pension or have never been part of a superannuation scheme will receive an increased monthly payment from next year.
This has been confirmed by the Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Jiko Luveni who said that this has been approved by the Cabinet.
Dr. Luveni said the pensioners had requested for the monthly $30 pension to be increased to $50.
She added that from next year, those who qualify for the social pension will receive $50 a month and currently there are more than 9,000 beneficiaries.
The Social Pension Scheme was first introduced earlier this year for which $3.2 million has been allocated by the government.
Meanwhile, 39,789 recipients are currently assisted under the bus fare concession including elderly and disabled people.
