A social welfare assistance recipient from Tawakelevu Settlement in Koronivia, Nausori, is hoping the 2022-2023 National Budget will result in an increment in her monthly pension.

Temalesi Vakatalai Bulivorovoro, 37, said she and her three children received $127 cash and a $50 food voucher from the government every month.

She said with the cost of living going up almost on a weekly basis, she was struggling to meet her family’s needs.

“I am looking forward to the budget announcement on Friday,” Ms Bulivorovoro said.

“I hope there will be some good announcements that will give us some relief because $127 cash and a $50 food voucher is not just enough.”

Ms Bulivorovoro said she would also like to see a drop in food prices.

“With my food voucher, I am only able to buy a few things because the price of sugar, flour, and milk has increased a lot. “I hope there is a decrease in the prices of food items in the budget because families like mine are really struggling.”

Ms Bulivorovoro said her husband collects coconuts from a farm and sells them to earn some money. “He goes out to catch fish and kai so that we have food on the table.”