MVR 59.1 million disbursed as income support allowance

The Maldivian government has disbursed MVR 59.1 million as income support allowance, introduced to provide financial support to the people whose livelihoods have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic so they are able to meet their essential needs.

Finance Ministry’s statistics show that income support allowance was disbursed to 6,388 people by the end of September 3.

The MVR 5,000 income support allowance is disbursed through National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).

Those who have been laid off or put on no-pay leave or lost their source of income will receive the full MVR 5,000, while those who have been subjected to pay or income reductions, resulting in them earning lower than MVR 5,000, will receive the difference.

Applications for the second round of the program, which will see the disbursement of income support allowance for July, August and September, was opened in August.

Applications for income support allowance for July will close on September 15, while applications for income support allowance for August will close on September 30, and applications for September will close on October 30.

Applications must be submitted virtually to the JobCenter.

Finance Ministry stated that the government disbursed MVR 35.1 million in income support allowance to 8,488 applicants during the first round of the program.

Meanwhile, the criteria for eligibility for the allowance has been expanded to allow people whose income have been affected due to the coronavirus pandemic as far back as December 2019, instead of March 2020, to seek income support.