The Department of Social Welfare (DoSW) has announced it will extend its network of partners for the distribution of social welfare payments. Previously held with BSP under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), this DoSW alliance will now also include Vodafone M-PAiSA.
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Jennifer Poole confirmed that this widening of stakeholders will benefit those social welfare recipients based in rurally remote locations with no access to any readily available banking services.
Social Welfare Beneficiaries who may wish to receive their monthly allowance in their M-PAiSA mobile wallet can now contact the Depart of Social Welfare to register their interest.
To be able to receive a social welfare allowance via M-PAiSA, clients must have:
-A mobile phone and SIM card registered in their own name
-An active M-PAiSA Account
-Registered their interest to receive their allowance via M-PAiSA at their nearest Social Welfare Office and fill in the consent form.
-Details of their M-PAISA account (mobile number) together with a copy of their social welfare ID.
-Must reside in an area where there is an active and accessible M-PAiSA agent. A list of M-PAiSA agent ca be found at
https://www.vodafone.com.fj/personal/products-services/m-paisa/authorised-agents
The Government of Fiji, through the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, is making more options available to the public, with a view to greater accessibility for all. The PSWCPA advises clients, that “There is no need for Social Welfare recipients to change from their bank accounts to M-PAiSA right now, as it is simply another OPTION to choose from! Allowing Social Welfare clients to be able to select a mode of payment that best suits their needs”.
Meanwhile, BSP is currently in its second partnership term with the DoSW. The Permanent Secretary commended the Bank for its support. “They have been doing an excellent job with managing the timely distribution of funds even at the peak of the Pandemic and their continuous financial literacy awareness programs are a huge benefit to our social welfare recipients”.
BSP Country Head Haroon Ali said, “We are proud to continue supporting the Government with achieving its social welfare objectives and welcome Vodafone as a strategic partner in this important program. This partnership will further allow us to achieve our shared goals of financial inclusivity and moving Fijians towards digital channels”.
The DoSW remains committed to developing more efficient service delivery platforms by exploring new opportunities that will benefit social welfare recipients.