President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to raise the ceiling for monthly Single Parent Allowance from USD 195 to USD 650. The decision was made as part of the efforts to review and amend the Single Parent Allowance Programme in regard to the recommendations made by the cabinet.
During the cabinet meeting held at the President’s Office, the ministers deliberated on the Single Parent Allowance Programme paper, citing concerns over the eligibility of the programme, submitted by Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, on behalf of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA). The amendment brought to the programme in 2016 left many single parents barred from receiving the allowance. The new amendment will pave the way to breakdown any barriers keeping them from receiving the benefits.
Further important decisions agreed upon at the cabinet session include the revision of the minimum unit, the terminology used to classify those below the poverty line. The cabinet also recommended Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services have the authority to declare the Income Threshold of single-parent households based on the individual situations.
The decision also included an additional clause allowing single parents of children with special needs to receive both the allowance for housing a child with special needs as well as the Single Parent Allowance.