Financial Assistance: $1,825 Per Person Monthly
During the budget debate in March it was revealed that almost $2 million a month is paid out in financial assistance, with an average monthly payment of $1,825 per person.
This equates to an average of $421 a week per recipient, or around $21,900 a year.
An average of 1,100 – 1,400 persons per month receive the payment, an increase of 200 to 300 more persons over the same time last year.
The majority of recipients are seniors [405] and the disabled [415], with some able bodied unemployed persons [67] and individuals with low income [94] also receiving stipends. All numbers listed are approximate as payments and amount of recipients vary from month to month.
$28.6 million was allocated to the Department in fiscal year 2010/2011, for an increase of about $288,000.
Below follows the relevant statement by Minister of Social Rehabilitation Neletha Butterfield from March 19:
The Social Assistance Programme and Housing Allowance Programme merged to create the Financial Assistance Programme in 2005.
There has been an increase demand for financial assistance within this past year, to the total of approximately $4.3 million.
The total number of clients serviced has also increased, vacillating monthly, between 1,100 – 1,400, this is an increase of 200 to 300 more persons over this time last year.
The largest category of clients that are serviced by financial assistance remain seniors, approximately 405 per month, with no increase of over the last year. The next largest group would be disabled with approximately 415, an increase of 40 individuals. The remainder of clients are able-bodied unemployed (67) and individuals with low income (94). Though they may still require assistance, they now require less of a financial award from the Department.
Mr. Chairman, The Department has increased in staff size from seven (7) Financial Assistance Case Workers to twelve (12), and from three (3) Managers to four (4) as a result of increased caseloads and the advent of the Child Day Care Allowance Programme. Each worker currently has approximately 150-165 clients, an increase of between 30-35 clients over last year.
Expenditure of over $1,998,000 monthly from the Financial Assistance Programme, with an average monthly award of approximately $1,825 monthly, verifies that this Government is sensitive to and is addressing the needs of many of our citizens.
