MVR 318m disbursed as income support

The Maldivian government has disbursed MVR 318.8 million as income support for individuals affected negatively due to the pandemic. 

According to Finance Ministry statistics, 19,741 individuals were provided income support up until March 12. MVR 5,000 is provided for individuals negatively affected. 

The criteria is that these individuals earn an amount lower than MVR 5,000 as an income due to the pandemic. 

This also includes those undergoing suspensions, faced dismissals, and had their wages reduced. 

While only those whose income were affected from March onwards were initially eligible for the allowance, the criteria for eligibility for the allowance was later expanded to allow people whose income have been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic as far back as December 2019, instead of March 2020, to seek income support.

Information on applicants granted income support, as well as information on rejected applications and the reasons, are available on the JobCenter portal.