No forms needed for social welfare top-up

Fijians on social welfare do not need to apply or fill in any forms because their allowances have already gone up, starting from yesterday.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran announced in Parliament yesterday that the Coalition Government has approved a 50 per cent emergency top-up for all social protection recipients.

This will run from May to July 2026, in response to the global fuel price crisis.

“The first enhanced payment will be available from yesterday, delivered directly through established payment accounts to ensure there is no delay in relief,” Ms Kiran said.

The boost covers all six social protection programmes: Family Assistance, Care and Protection, Social Pension, Disability Allowance, Rural Pregnant Mothers and Transport Assistance.

Under the new rates, a single-person Family Assistance household will receive $113 a month, up from $42, while a four-member household jumps from $153 to $280.

Children in secondary school under the Care and Protection Allowance will receive $134, up from $56, and recipients under the Disability Allowance Scheme will receive $203, up from $135.

Recipients are urged to use the funds wisely.

“We trust our citizens to prioritise the most urgent basic needs with these additional funds,” she said.

The ministry will communicate updated payment rates through official social media platforms.

She also warned against scammers targeting recipients during fund withdrawals, advising elderly recipients and those unfamiliar with digital banking to seek help only from bank tellers or trusted family members.

Dedicated hotlines have been set up — Central: 9981053, Northern: 9906187, Western: 9904182.

The top-up ends in July 2026.