Disability allowance hiked up to MVR 6,000

The allowance provided for persons with disabilities, has been increased up to MVR 6,000.

Currently, persons with disabilities are entitled to a monthly allowance of MVR 2,000.

The government announced the decision to introduce additional allowances for persons with disabilities, on June 13.

As such, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the decision to revise the disability allowance and introduce additional allowances, following a meeting with his Cabinet of Ministers. This is the first time the allowance framework is revised since its introduction 12 years ago,

The decision was reached upon a recommendation from the cabinet, following deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.

Further details of the improvised disability allowances were enlightened by the Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi during a press conference held on Thursday.

Managing Director of ‘Aasandha’, Azzam Wajeeh revealed that the disability allowance will be hiked from MVR 2,000 to MVR 3,000.

Further, three additional allowances are to be provided. This includes an MVR 2,000-allowance for those who are unable to care for themselves due to a disability.

An additional MVR 1,000 is to be given to help them acquire additional items that are commonly used for basic needs due to a disability.

These two additional allowances will be available for persons with disabilities below the age of 65 years.

Further, if the number of persons with disabilities in the family increases, an additional allowance of MVR 1,000 will be provided. The allowance will be provided to those below 65 years of age if there are three or more persons with disabilities, in the same household.

With these changes, there is a 50 percent increase, in the existing MVR 2,000 allowance for all those who have been registered as persons with disabilities.

By May 2023, a total of 11,371 persons with disabilities had been registered.