Africa-Press – Mauritius. As from the 01 of July 2022, Government is increasing all basic pensions by Rs 1,000 for the benefit of some 300,000 pensioners announced, this evening in Port Louis, the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy. The budget also enunciates a series of social aids to the most vulnerable, the disabled, and the pensioners. Social Aid
The Finance Minister emphasised that the new budgetary measures seek to help those Mauritian households who have insufficient means to support the essential needs of their families and to this end, the benefits under Social Aid are being increased by at least 20 percent as from 01 July 2022.
For the head of a family, the monthly allowance is being increased: For the Claimant and the Spouse from Rs 1,527 to Rs 1, 832; For a child under the age 3 years old from Rs 594 to Rs 713;
For a child between 3 and 10 years from Rs 570 to Rs 713; For a child between 10 and 15 years from Rs 699 to Rs 839; For a child between 15 and 20 years and with a disability, from Rs 1,527 to Rs 1,832;
For a child between 15 and 23 years and in full time education, from Rs 872 to Rs 1,046; For those suffering from a serious illness from a maximum of Rs 906 to Rs 1,087; and For the payment of rent up to a maximum of Rs 1,345 instead of Rs 1,121. In addition, for a single mother, the monthly allowance is being increased: For herself from Rs 1,597 to Rs 1, 916; For a child under the age 3 years old from Rs 622 to Rs 746; For a child between 3 and 10 years from Rs 599 to Rs 746; For a child between 10 and 15 years from Rs 728 to Rs 874; For a child between 15 and 20 years and with a disability, from Rs 1,597 to Rs 1,916; For a child between 15 and 23 years and in full time education, from Rs 914 to Rs 1,097;
For those suffering from a serious illness from a maximum of Rs 953 to Rs 1,144; and For the payment of rent up to a maximum of Rs 1,414 instead of Rs 1,178.
The Funeral Grant in the event of the death of the head of the family or any of his dependents is also being increased from Rs 10,300 to Rs 12,360. Under social aid, the Budget 2022-2023 is also increasing the daily allowance:
For residents of charitable institutions by 20 percent up to Rs 864; For cyclone and flood victims from Rs 188 to Rs 250; and For fishermen in case of bad weather from Rs 475 to Rs 575.
For households with a monthly income of less than Rs 30,000, the financial assistance for the purchase of spectacles is being increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000; for wheelchairs from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000; and for hearing aids from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) The Finance Minister also dwelt on Governmental measures geared towards promoting better inclusiveness for all citizens by supporting NGOs.
These are: For charitable and religious institutions, an increase by five percent of the grant under the Per Capita Subsidy Scheme and the Fixed Grant Scheme;
A one-off assistance of Rs 10 million to religious bodies given the sanitary restrictions at places of worship; and Exemption for religious bodies from payment of wastewater charges.
The National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF) will increase its budget to support programmes and projects of NGOs from Rs 900 million to Rs 1.1 billion.
This includes Rs 200 million to support children in Residential Care Institutions; Rs 35 million on a programme for vulnerable families under the National Database for vulnerable groups; Rs 15 million on a reintegration programme of patients from Brown Sequard Hospital; and Rs 10 million for a programme on homelessness.
Moreover, a one-off recognition scheme will be introduced for staff members of NGOs at the time of retirement in recognition of their long and dedicated work in favour of the vulnerable. Improving the lives of people with a disability
As regards improving the lives of people with a disability, Dr Padayachy announced that bedridden and severely disabled inmates of charitable institutions will also benefit from the monthly Incontinence allowance of Rs 1,500.
He pointed out that to facilitate the lives of persons with hearing impairments, the frequency of the news bulletin in Mauritian Sign Language will be increased to twice weekly and 60 public officers will be trained in Mauritian sign language to enable easier access to public services.
Moreover, to facilitate access of the disabled to the beach, 40 Floating Beach Wheelchairs and Beach Access Mats will be acquired, he underscored. As for those who suffer from a disability between 40 and 59 percent, the Minister stated that the New Budget is introducing a monthly CSG Disability Allowance of Rs 2,500, that will benefit some 10,000 individuals will be over and above existing benefits under social aid.
Increase in pensions The Basic Retirement Pension, the Basic Widow’s Pension, and the Basic Invalid Pension, will increase from Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000, that is 11 percent more.
The Basic Orphan’s Pension will also be increased by Rs 1,000. Moreover, beneficiaries of basic pensions will henceforth benefit from the monthly child allowance of Rs 1,700 for dependent children up to 23 years attending university.
The Budget 2022-2023 is extending the basic widow pension to Muslim widows through tardy registration of religious marriage before the Muslim Family Council.
An additional Rs 1,000 will be provided to all Mauritians aged 65 and above under the Contribution Sociale Géneralisée Retirement Benefit. Thus, an individual having reached 65 years will earn a total monthly benefit of Rs 11,000. Providing more support to Social Register of Mauritius (SRM) beneficiaries
Budget 2022-2023 also provides for increase in the minimum monthly subsistence allowance for beneficiaries under the Social Register of Mauritius from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 while the monthly child allowance will be increased from Rs 957 to Rs 1,046.
Other benefits catered for are: The administration fee for full time courses at the MITD and other recognized public tertiary institutions is being waived;
Free diapers will be provided for infants aged up to one year; and The Basic Invalidity Pension will not be accounted in the income eligibility threshold.
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