$20 Million Payout For Unemployed And Social Welfare Recipients
A combined $20 million will be paid out by the Fijian Government to support unemployed Fijians in Vanua Levu and social welfare recipients nationwide.
An allocation of $13 million for the $100 one-off payment was announced in the 2021-2022 Revised National Budget for unemployment assistance of those affected by COVID-19.
While $7m was allocated for a $50 one-off payment to social welfare recipients.
The $100 payment will be made on June 6, 2022, provided that all requirements are met.
People in Vanua Levu can apply for the unemployment support from today at 9am, and it closes at 5pm on May 31, 2022, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced last night in Suva.
“Eligible individuals, 18 years and over in Vanua Levu, can apply by dialling *161#,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“Individuals whose employment income have not been affected, as well as those who receive other forms of Government assistance, are not eligible for this income support. This includes all civil servants, all other employees in the private sector and statutory bodies whose employment income have not been affected and therefore FNPF contributions have been normal in the last one month, all those on FNPF pension scheme, all students on Tertiary Education Loan Scheme and Toppers scholarship receiving normal allowances all social welfare recipients and all those below the age of 18 years.”
The Ministry of Economy will work in partnership with Vodafone, Digicel, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Fiji National Provident Fund, and the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board to verify and process the applications.
“Payment for qualifying applicants will start from June 6, 2022, subject to correct and complete information provided by individuals at the time of application,” he said.
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants need to provide all of the following mandatory information, which includes:
- Full name;
- Birth registration number or
citizenship number;
- Date of birth;
- Tax Identification Number (TIN);
- FNPF number;
- Voter identification number;
- Home Address;
- Declaration to confirm if the applicant has received both jabs of COVID-19 vaccine;
- If YES, provide the place of vaccination;
- Consent for Fijian Government to access applicants’ vaccination and SIM card registration details; and
- Statutory declaration to confirm that all information provided is correct.
Funds will be deposited directly into M-PAiSA or MyCash accounts for successful recipients.
$50 PAYMENT
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said: “As announced in the budget, all existing social welfare recipients will receive a one-off payment of $50 in the first week of June 2022.
“This additional $50 will be added to the normal monthly welfare payments.
“The payment will be directly made to the recipients’ bank account or digital wallet.
“There is no application required for this $50 top-up,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj
