The Sunday Mail
Senior Reporter
Vulnerable households that get social support pay-outs from Government will receive between US$20 and US$65 depending on family size, up from the previous $1000 to $2 500, to cushion them from the rising cost of living.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Simon Masanga said the new rates are effective Wednesday (June 1).
“We had written in January and made a follow-up in April. Treasury positively responded to our request. In coming up with the rates, they had taken into consideration the basic food basket and adjustments for inflation,” Mr Masanga said.
“On harmonised social cash transfers, the current rates for a one-member household were $1 000 and this has been reviewed to US$20.
We were paying $1 500 for two-member households and the reviewed one is now US$35.
Three-member households were getting $2 000 and they would now get US$35. For a household of four members and above, they were getting $2 500 and they now qualify to receive US$65.”
Monthly maintenance allowances, which are once-a-month pay-outs given to families under financial distress, have been increased from $1500 to US$20.
Children under foster care are being given the same amount.
Government has also revised figures for people with disabilities whose payments are made once-off.
“For disability loans, the existing one was US$400 and the reviewed figure is now US$1 000,” added Mr Masanga.
Special grants, which are given to consortiums of people with disabilities, have also been increased from US$1 500 to US$3 000.
The pay-outs will specifically target women, children and people with disabilities.
