Self-employed individuals and freelancers will be eligible for the government’s income support allowance if they had been actively earning for six months prior to March.

In a publication on the government gazette on Wednesday, the regulation on income support allowance, drafted by the President’s Office was published and it states that freelancers are also eligible for the allowance.

This comes at a time freelancers livelihoods and income have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as well.

Rolled out by the Ministry of Economic Development, the income support allowance will be distributed by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) or National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) through the Ministry of Finance.

The allowance, to be disbursed for three months from April to June, aims to provide financial support to the people who have had their lives affected by the pandemic and have failed to meet their essential needs.

As such, freelancers who have had their income and earnings halted after March 1 are eligible for the allowance of MVR 5,000.

Those who have had their income reduced adversely are eligible if their income is lower than MVR 5,000 and freelancers have additional means of income and still earn less than MVR 5,000, they will be given an allowance in difference.

Those who earn MVR 5,000 per month are not eligible for the income support allowance.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 years and employed in the Maldives by March 1 and must submit documents confirming their status as self-employed individuals through copies of their permit, contracts for projects and invoices for the past six months. Individuals are to apply for the allowance through the Job Center.

Eligible individuals are to receive the income support allowance monthly, before the 15th day and are required to notify the Job Center if they find employment within the period. After this, they will not be eligible for the allowance.

Under the income support allowance, the regulations state that criminal action will be taken against individuals who provide false information to the government when applying and it has been put into effect since publication in the government gazette.

Freelancers are also eligible for loans under the economic stimulus packages initiated by the government due to the Covid-19 pandemic.