Government clarifies $70 welfare reduction

The $70 reduction reported by some elderly welfare recipients is the result of a temporary 50 per cent top-up ending, not a permanent cut to their normal welfare payments, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection says.

Permanent secretary for Women Selina Kuruleca said the additional 50 per cent payment was introduced for May, June and July to help vulnerable recipients cope with rising fuel costs.

She said welfare payments had now returned to their normal levels following the end of the temporary relief.

The clarification follows concerns from recipients who reported receiving $70 less than they had received in previous months.

Ms Kuruleca said the reduction should not be regarded as a new deduction from their welfare payments.

The temporary top-up was introduced as part of Government measures to cushion vulnerable households from the impact of the fuel crisis.

However, Raiwaqa resident Isikeli Toroca said the return to the normal payment level would place further pressure on elderly people struggling to meet their daily needs.

Mr Toroca said while he understood the Government had ended the 50 per cent top-up, he believed the reduction should be smaller.

He urged the Government to consider reducing the reduction from $70 to between $30 and $35.

“We’re old; we can’t afford to live with that amount in a month,” he said.

Mr Toroca also claimed an elderly man lost his life after receiving news that money would be deducted from his welfare payment. The claim could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, Ms Kuruleca said recipients who remained unclear about their payments or believed there had been an error should contact the ministry.

The Government has maintained that the additional 50 per cent was temporary and was not intended to continue beyond July.