A total of MVR 59.1 million had been disbursed as income support allowances by September 3, revealed the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry’s latest statistics reveal that MVR 59.1 million had been disbursed as income support allowances by September 3.

The allowances were issued to 6,388 individuals out of the 14,105 applicants.

Further, the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) remains the top contributor in providing discount on water bills, having provided 33,198 households discounts amounting MVR 9.8 million.

A total of MVR 10.2 million has been provided as discount for water bills for 46,392 households by September 3.

State Electric Company (STELCO) has provided 45,640 households up to MVR 27.3 million in discount in electricity bills. The total issued for discount by three companies, STELCO, FENAKA and MWSC amount to MVR 48.2 million for a total of 98,722 households.

Introduced under the government’s economic relief package following the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the income support allowance is being issued since May 20 and a monthly income of MVR 5,000 is provided under specific conditions.

The goal of the economic relief package was to ensure job continuity for Maldivians, at a time large-scale terminations and wage cuts have taken place. Following this, the Job Center established by the Economic Ministry has been receiving several complaints.

The criteria notes that individuals who have been terminated, put on no-pay leave or suspended from their jobs are eligible for the allowance as well as anyone who was employed before March 1, whether they had an employment agreement or not.

This includes individuals in probation and temporary positions, these individuals will receive an allowance of MVR 5,000 for the six-month period.

A total of MVR 30,000 is awarded under the six-month allowance, between April to September. It aims to provide financial assistance to those who have had their lives and income affected by the pandemic and are unable to meet essential needs such as settling rent payments and others.

Eligible individuals are to receive the income support allowance monthly, before the 15th day and applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 years and employed in the Maldives by December 1, 2019.

The regulations under the income support allowance state that criminal action will be taken against individuals who provide false information when applying.