Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has today announced a number of new measures in the 2022/2023 National Budget to try to cushion the blow for the most vulnerable in the country, saying we now have a Bula Boom, and the government had borrowed prudently to ensure the country did not go into further crisis.
The Government has allocated $60 million in the 2022-2023 Budget to help mitigate the effects of rising inflationary pressures on household disposable incomes.
To help cope with rising prices, parents with a combined annual income of less than $50,000 will receive a payment of $180 per child (only for children below 18 years) over a 6 month period.
This equates to $30 per month per child, and will be paid out in two phases. For example, if an applicant has 5 children below the age of 18 years, the total payout for the 6 month period will be $900.
An online platform will be developed similar to the vaccination registration portal, through which parents can apply.
Sayed-Khaiyum says alternatively, Government may set-up registration centres for Fijians to apply in person, if the need arises.
Applications will be verified through the Birth Registration Number if the applicant and child details are correct.
All applicants currently receiving Energy Fiji Limited subsidy, Water Authority of Fiji subsidy, and students on transportation assistance will automatically qualify as they are already assessed to be earning less than $50,000 annual income. Those who do not qualify will have to go through an additional process of income verification via FRCS and FNPF, or via statutory declaration for those in the informal sector.
Successful applicants will be paid through their MPAiSA/MyCash accounts. Approximately 200,000 students will benefit from this initiative.
All existing social welfare, Government pension and AfterCare Fund recipients will receive a payment of $180 over a six month period. This will be paid out in two phases. It is expected that around 100,000 Fijians will benefit from this initiative.
Sayed-Khaiyum also says all tertiary students (regardless of whether or not they are TELS/ Toppers recipients) will receive a payout of $180 over a six month period, to be paid out in two phases. About 30,000 students are expected to benefit from this scheme.
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