The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation wishes to advise that it is not in a position to make comments on each of the social welfare cases raised before the Constitution Commission. Recipients are advised to seek redress through their district and divisional offices.
The Ministry has advised that it currently working on a reform agenda to streamline social welfare programs in Fiji.
Ministry permanent secretary Mr Govind Sami confirmed that the reform agenda is emanating from the review of social welfare programs by the World Bank Social Protection team in 2010.
He said the reform agenda will eliminate the vulnerability “categories” (such as elderly, disabled and chronically ill) as a filter of eligibility and allow poverty benefits directed at the poor.
“We are looking at making the Family Assistance Program benefits open to all extreme poor individuals, subject to assessment of the welfare status. This will enable a better coverage and increase coverage of the poor population and it is hoped that coverage of the poor will increase.
“It’s also allowing for every individual in the identified poor household up to a certain maximum number per household to be eligible for the benefit,” he said.
He reiterated that a new Assessment Form has been devised and pretested to make the applications more transparent.
“The new form is based on revised targeting categories, including a better definition of household living conditions and incorporate the collection of consistent information and “trace record” which can be monitored, verified and re-certified,” Mr Sami said.
“Final changes are being factored in and the new form is more transparent with clear definition and assessment processes,” Mr Sami said.
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