In partnership with Fiji Care Insurance Limited, the Fijian Government has developed a pioneering insurance package designed for social welfare recipients.
The partnership between the Fijian Government and Fiji Care Insurance Limited started in the 2018/2019 fiscal year and is being renewed annually.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar stated that this is an insurance cover that covers recipients of the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Social Pension Scheme, Disability Allowance Scheme and Care and Protection Program, which equates to over 86,000 persons being insured. Previous governments did not do this.
Social Welfare recipients under the social protection schemes are entitled to:
• Funeral ($1,000);
• Accident/injury (maximum of $3,000);
• Fire Assistance (complete loss of house $3,000/ partial loss $1,500)
• Life cover which is applicable to recipients below the age of 70 years (range from $200 -$2,000).
Minister Akbar highlighted that the insurance package started from the partnership between Government and Fiji Care, and so far 16,689 claims have been paid out which amounts to $20.9 million as of 31 March 2022.
Minister Akbar highlighted that 16,689 claims have so far been paid out totalling $20.9 million as of 31 March 2022, as a result of the partnership between the Government and Fiji Care.
This includes payouts to:
• 12,205 beneficiaries under the funeral assistance, which amounts to $12.2 million;
• 4355 beneficiaries under term life assistance, which amounts to $8.3 million;
• 129 beneficiaries under the fire insurance assistance which amounts to $380,000;
• 1 beneficiary under the Accident/Injury assistance whereby the individual was paid $1500.
The payouts are based on the assessments of the insurer and their terms and conditions.
Minister Akbar emphasised that any Fijian under the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Social Pension Scheme, Disability Allowance Scheme and Care and Protection Program, is directly eligible to access the microinsurance product under Fiji Care Insurance Limited. In the absence of a nominee, the next of kin of the beneficiaries will receive the insurance upon the recipient’s demise.
If clients have any questions or wish to fill out a form to register for this insurance cover, they can visit the nearest social welfare office during business hours.