Disability allowance hiked under new category system; minimum at MVR 3k
Azam said the government has expanded its support to people with disabilities and started providing incentives for those in need of various therapies from 2019.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Government on Thursday increased the basic disability allowance to MVR 3,000 from MVR 2,000, and introduced a category system to allow the most vulnerable and needy to get additional allowances.
The decision to increase the allowance for people with disabilities was first announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in his presidential statement this year.
Previously, people with disabilities were given an allowance of MVR 2,000 per month. However, with this change, the disability allowance has been categorised, with the basic pay increased to MVR 3,000.
The changes to the disability structure were announced at a press conference held at the President's Office on Thursday.
In addition, three other changes have been made to the allowance:
-
Those who cannot live on their own or have to fully rely on someone else will be given an additional allowance of MVR 2,000
-
Those who need help with basic needs will get an additional 'self-care allowance' of MVR 1,000
-
If there are more than three people with disabilities in the same household, an additional MVR 1,000 will be paid depending on level of disability
Asanda Managing Director Ismail Azzam Wajeeh told the reporters that some people will get an allowance of MVR 6,000.
According to the figures shared by Azzam:
-
MVR 111 million has been spent on disability benefits so far this year; for 11,371 people
-
58% of them are men; 42% are women
With the new structure:
-
42% of the beneficiaries will receive up to MVR 3,000
-
MVR 4,000 for 15% of the beneficiaries
-
MVR 5,000 for 25% of the beneficiaries
-
MVR 6,000 for 15% of the beneficiaries
Azam said the government has expanded its support to people with disabilities and started providing incentives for those in need of various therapies from 2019.
-
As of last year, MVR 31 million has been spent on 254 people receiving therapy
-
As of last month, MVR 16.2 million has been spent on therapy for 504 people this year
According to statistics from the disability register:
-
Most are registered as people with physical disabilities; 3,045 people have been registered as such
-
2,461 people are registered as having mental disabilities
