More than 45,134 senior citizens are benefitting from the Government’s Social Pension Scheme.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar said that the Social Pension Scheme provides allowances for those over 65 years of age who do not have any form of income or pension or have never been beneficiaries of a superannuation scheme.
Minister Akbar highlighted that the Fijian Government introduced the Social Pension Scheme in 2013, gradually reduced the eligibility age from 70 to 65 years of age, and increased the allowance from $30 to $50 over the last few years, and to $100 ever since committing to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).
“Government also implemented Fiji’s National Minimum Standards on the Care of Older Persons, which focusses on ensuring adequate care provision for our older people. The document guides and informs Government policy. The Social Pension Scheme program is targeted to reach the most vulnerable senior citizens,” Minister Akbar said.
“This intervention will allow the eligible beneficiaries to better manage the new risks associated with the pandemic as well as ensuring their basic needs are supported. As a country, it is important that we all acknowledge that we need to do more to ensure that our senior citizens in Fiji are treated with respect, care and dignity.”
She added that grandparents and parents, who have sacrificed so much for their families and communities, deserve dignity and quality care.
Waidravia villager, 75 year old Taniela Ilisevaseva, said that his social pension scheme allowance has assisted his family in buying basic needs. He thanked the government for this allowance and also the ministry’s staff for their hardworking and dedication during this pandemic.
Similar sentiments were shared by 84 year old Litiana Tamani of Volavola Road in Suva. “ The monthly allowance I receive has assisted me in paying my transport cost to the hospital and immediate needs. This allowance have assisted me a lot during this pandemic”.
The social pension scheme forms are currently available in all the district officers. These forms need to be certified by a Justice of the Peace or a community leader or a senior civil servant, for verification purposes. Applicants should provide a certified birth certificate with two passport sized photos, TIN or combined FNPF number, vaccination card, and bank account details. For further information please call Social Welfare on 3314469 or 3315585.
The Fijian Government has allocated $55.3million for the Social Pension Scheme.