$104.2M Unemployment Cash Paid Out: A-G

The Fijian Government had paid out a total of $104.2 million in unemployment cash assistance to 289,489 Fijians.

Giving an update on the $360 cash assistance yesterday, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the pay-out accounted for 84 per cent of the total applications received, which was 345,289.

Since Thursday, the Government paid out an additional $3.4m to 9794 people.

Of that number, 7938 people had given incorrect TINs and 2412 had double dipped during previous cash assistance and applied from more than one sim card.

After the verification process these people were assisted either partially or in full.

Those who have not received the $360 are either full time or part time employees, welfare recipients, civil servants or have not provided their TIN and birth registration numbers for verification purposes.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said some people assume that they are automatically eligible to get the assistance since they are vaccinated.

He also clarified that some people who are employed had applied for the $360 assistance on behalf of their unemployed family members and some did not provide their TIN numbers at all.

In the second round of assistance, he said it’s critically important that people provide the correct TIN and BRN numbers when applying.

Only those who are fully vaccinated will be eligible to apply.

People who have queries about the $360 cash assistance can call 158 or 2499999 for clarifications or send a Viber, Whatsapp or text message.

Students who are on TELS but do not receive a living allowance are eligible for the $360 assistance.

Statistics

Breakdown of where the recipients of the $360 cash assistance live;

• Nasinu - 16.8%, 48,688 people
• Nadi - 15.7%, 45,506 people
• Lautoka - 14.5%, 42,000 people
• Suva – 11.3%, 32,830 people
• Nausori – 11.3%, 32,805 people
• Ba – 8.4%, 24,444 people
• Sigatoka – 5.8%, 16,749 people
• Rakiraki – 4.1%, 11,743 people
• Navua – 3.1%, 8985 people
• Tavua – 3.1%, 8958 people
• Other parts of Viti Levu – 5.8%, 16,749 people.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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