Ministry of Finance has revealed income support allowance has been disbursed to 9,989 individuals whose sources of income were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics publicised by the finance ministry revealed USD 6.8 million has been disbursed as income support allowance for 9,989 individuals by October 15. The statistics show that over 25,000 individuals applied for the income support allowance.
The government introduced a monthly income support allowance of USD 323 as compensation to cover the essential expenses of individuals whose employment has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The income support allowance is provided for individuals who have been either dismissed or suspended from their jobs without pay, as well as employees who have been sent on no-pay leaves and employees whose monthly wages have been reduced below USD 323. The allowance given for individuals whose wages have been cut will be the difference between USD 323 and their current monthly wages.
The income support allowance application must be submitted to the Job Center established under Minister of Economic Development.