The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation says more than 45,134 senior citizens are benefitting from the Government’s Social Pension Scheme.

Minister Rosy Akbar saidthis scheme provided 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.

She said the Government introduced the scheme in 2013 and since then, have 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 after 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 focuses on ensuring adequate care provision for our older people,” Ms Akbar said.

“The document guides and informs Government policy. The Social Pension Scheme program is targeted to reach the most vulnerable senior citizens.

“This intervention will allow the eligible beneficiaries to better manage new risks associated with the pandemic as well as ensuring their basic needs are supported.”

The social pension scheme forms are available in all the District Offices.

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.