MVR 182 million has been disbursed as income support allowance.

The Ministry of Finance has received a total of 42,516 applications for income support, out of which allowances were issued to 14,501 individuals and households affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic by December 17.

The income support allowance was introduced under the government’s economic relief package following the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and is being issued since May 20. 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. Those who have been terminated, put on no-pay leave or suspended from their jobs are eligible for the allowance. This includes individuals in probation and temporary positions.

Authorities decided to continue issuing income support allowances until the end of the ongoing year, although it was initially to be issued for a three-month period.

A total of MVR 45,000 is provided under the nine-month allowance, between April to December. 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. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 years and employed in the Maldives by December 1, 2019.

To apply, individuals have been urged to report their employment situation, if affected by Covid-19, on the online form found on the Job Center website. Users are required to sign up for an eFaas account.