The government has issued over MVR 280 million as income support allowance for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Ministry of Finance, a total of MVR 284.1 million was disbursed to 18,199 individuals by 11th February 2021.

The income support allowance scheme was introduced by the government in May 2020, as a relief for individuals experiencing financial difficulties as a result of employment issues due to the Covid-19 crisis. Although income support was initially to be issued for a three-month period, authorities continued on extending it after review the country’s Covid-19 situation.

The goal of the financial relief package is “to ensure job continuity for Maldivians, large-scale lay-offs and wage reductions have taken place.”

A monthly income of MVR 5,000 is provided under specific conditions. 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.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 years and employed in the Maldives by the 1st of December 2019.

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