Changes are in the pipeline to determine who will be able to access social welfare grants.
That’s the word from the Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit.
As she responded to questions from the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives regarding the over $6 billion allocation to her Ministry, she noted there will be changes in the next 12 months.
“In the coming fiscal year we will continue to strengthen the social protection ecosystem through, Mr. Chairman, a comprehensive review of the Standard Means Test to promote fairness and inclusion, modernisation of delivery systems for greater efficiency, and reach and closer collaboration with agencies like the Children’s Authority to enhance protection and service delivery for at-risk citizens.”
Member of Parliament for Lopinot/Bon Air, Marvin Gonzales, pressed the Minister for further details on the line item.
She responded: “The Ministry is currently reviewing the Standard Means Test, and a Cabinet-approved committee was established to facilitate that. The Inter-Ministerial Committee to review and make recommendations to strengthen the Standard Means Test of the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services.”
Minister Mohit noted that there will be ten members on the Committee, with the money to be paid for those services still to be determined by the Ministry of Finance.