Social welfare recipients welcome temporary boost

Social welfare recipients in Labasa are overwhelmed with the increase of 50 per cent top-up to their bank accounts, which they will receive on April 28.

Government announced a $24 million temporary welfare amount boost for three-months, which was designated to give immediate relief to vulnerable households.

Recipient Divulagi Loma said the assistance would ease their financial struggles to cater for increased food prices.

The 63-year-old said the price of medication and food items were of essential need to senior citizens during their old age, and any increase impacted to miss out on important items.

Ms Loma said she could now afford more groceries for monthly needs.

She said every dollar mattered during this high cost of living period and prayed the fuel crisis issue would normalise after a few months.

“We are praying the fuel crisis will end soon so prices can be lowered to allow average citizens to afford their expenses,” she said.

Pre-cooked fish vendor Makelesi Ditua said senior citizens deserved this increase.

“The welfare amount will return to its original amount after a few months, so saving up of this extra cash will go a long way to helping with emergencies,” she said