GREAT BAY:--- Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius de Weever has increased the financial assistance in an effort to enhance the purchasing power of the social aid recipients. The last increase was in 1996 when the ordinance was drafted; in 17 years there has never been an indexation.
"By categorizing the various groups of individuals that can qualify for financial assistance and streamlining the decision making process and ensuring that those who qualified receive it, my Ministry started reviewing the legislation to find a solution to increase the payments," said Minister De Weever.
The increase in financial assistance has been categorized in various groups, one such group being those between the ages of 58-60 years old who due to their specific circumstances can no longer be considered part of the labor market. Minister De Weever stated that this category has been created, because it is very difficult for these individuals to enter the job market at that age which is a global trend as well.
Minister de Weever managed to create a transparent system which reduces human error and is therefore conducive to the integrity of the system. Other groups, which have been recognized by the minister, are the AOV recipients and the disabled. The AOV recipients, have been sub-categorized into the single AOV entitled individuals 60 years and above and a family member 60 years and older AOV entitled.
Minister de Weever further stated that his aim is to empower these groups and create a sense of independence for them.
"We tried our best to ensure that the physically and mentally challenged will also have financial independence and be able to help themselves," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever. "So it was important to develop this category."
Whereas De Weever is in favor of empowering the physically challenged by creating a viable working environment for them, he recognizes that there where the disabled person cannot participate in the labor market they must be able to function as independent individuals within our society. Therefore a special category has been created for them as well.
The increase in the financial assistance is scheduled to go into effect the early part of 2014.