A Comprehensive Overview of the Enhanced Social Protection Benefits in January 2024

A large group of Members of the National Assembly, District Administrators and staff of the Agency for Social Protection (ASP) at district level have apprised themselves of changes to eight statutory benefits and the addition of a new one effective from January 2024.

During a half day workshop, the Agency for Social Protection provided attendees with adequate information to guide and educate their constituents on revisions undertaken, following a comprehensive exercise which ASP undertook along with the Department of Economic Planning within the Ministry of Finance.

There have been significant increases in benefits for semi-orphans, foster children, a survivor of a person who was receiving a benefit at ASP, expectant mothers from inner islands who travel to Mahe to give birth as well as maternity and paternity benefits to self-employed parents or those working on a casual basis.

The newly-introduced Multiple Births Benefit targets women who give birth to more than one child.

The half day workshop provided clarity on why the rates have been revised, who can benefit from them as well as how and where to make the application.

The workshop, a joint collaboration between ASP and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, saw active participation of Members of the National Assembly who turned up and District Administrators who sought clarifications on certain points and offered valuable suggestions on the way forward.