The government has decided to increase the financial assistance provided to single parents to USD 195 per child, in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s presidential pledge.
Addressing the financial difficulties faced by single parents in raising their children was a key pledge in President Dr Muizzu's election manifesto. In October this year, the President announced that the allowance would be increased to USD 195 from next year.
In line with this pledge, the regulations on the Single Parent Allowance Programme have now been amended accordingly and gazetted.
Under the previous regulations, single parents received an allowance of USD 65 per child, with a maximum monthly payment of USD 649. However, with the new amendment, single parents with up to four children will now receive USD 195 per child, amounting to USD 778 per month for families with four children.
In addition, those who have more than four children will receive an additional allowance of USD 65 per month for each additional child. Under the new rules, the maximum monthly allowance will be USD 973, amounting to USD 11,676 per year.
According to figures released by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics on World Children's Day, 5,443 individuals are currently registered for single parent allowance through the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).