Beneficiaries of increased social grants, which were set to take effect by 1 April, will receive backdated payments next month.
Executive director in the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Martha Mbombo in a media statement issued Friday said all recipients will receive a one-time grant, including any arrears, as a refund.
She added that following this initial payment, the new grant amounts will be adjusted accordingly to reflect the revised values.
According to the budget statement for the financial year 2023/2024, provision has been made to increase the monthly old age grant, disability grant and vulnerable children’s grant, effective 1 July 2023.
As a result, the following adjustments have been made to the social grants: old age grant and disability grant increased from N$1 300 to N$1 400; the disability grant for children increased from N$250 to N$1 400 and vulnerable children’s grant increased from N$250 to N$350.
Therefore, recipients of the old age social grants will receive the adjusted amount d of N$1 700, with the refund being N$300; children with disabilities will receive N$4 850 (refund of N$3 450), while vulnerable children will receive N$650 (refund of N$300).
“The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare remains committed to the welfare of the public and continues to work tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for those in need by responding to the changing economic landscape and recognising the financial realities faced by individuals,” said Mbombo.
In April this year, the ministry said the grant increase could not take effect as of 1 April 2023, as the appropriation bill was still under consideration in parliament at the time.
– ljason@nepc.com.na