Gov't to hike allowance for persons with disabilities, from June 2023

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced the decision to increase the government’s allowance for persons with disabilities, from June.

He made this announcement during his fifth presidential address, delivered during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis on Monday morning.

In his annual address to the parliament, President Solih highlighted that the registry of persons with disabilities, required to be completed under Act No. 2010/8, has now been completed.

Although a registry for persons with disabilities living in the country is mandated to be compiled within six months of the enactment of the act to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and provide financial assistance for them, it was not completed in the past.

President Solih added that the allowances provided to disabled persons by the state, will be increased from June onwards.

He also announced that a special center would be opened in Hulhumalé this week to provide services required for people with disabilities who are above 18 years of age.

The president highlighted that the government has trained individuals who can serve through community-based rehabilitation programmes in four atolls to provide adequate services to those with disabilities.

Stating that people with disabilities will be able to acquire therapeutic treatment without any hindrances or disruptions, he noted that necessary financial assistance will be provided to them.

The president went on to highlight that state utilities company FENAKA Corporation had provided additional employment to 25 persons with disabilities, during the Covid-19 crisis.

Despite the steps taken to cut down on state expenditure in the face of the Covid-19 crisis, the president asserted that there were no changes made to the financial assistance provided for persons with disabilities.

As such, the government had extended month-on-month assistance without any reduction to the amount provided to them, even in the face of the pandemic.

President Solih back in December 2021 held discussions regarding the allowances for persons with disabilities, with a group of visually impaired persons and parents of such children.

The decision to increase the allowance comes at a time differently-abled persons have stressed that the allowances currently being provided for the disabled, are inadequate in comparison to current living conditions. They had also urged the president to find a way to address this issue.

The president was also urged to increase the financial assistance provided to persons with disabilities, which would in turn ease their difficulties especially in receiving treatment and therapeutic services.