A man living with a disability is currently facing considerable challenges after his monthly social welfare payments were halted due to his family’s modest income from selling fruit. This situation was highlighted during a recent workshop organized by Aruka Fiji, where government officials and various stakeholders came together to address the difficulties encountered by vulnerable populations and the support available to them.
Mereseni Rawaqa, a participant in the workshop, shared that the decision to cease the man’s welfare payments has placed immense pressure on him and his family. “This person is disabled. He used to receive monthly financial assistance, but it was suddenly stopped,” she stated. According to Rawaqa, Social Welfare Department officials informed the family that the payments were discontinued because of the income generated from their small-scale produce sales.
She emphasized that the income from selling fruits, including pawpaw and bananas, is minimal. “On some days they earn about $20, and on others, maybe $40. That is not enough to meet the family’s needs,” Rawaqa explained. In light of this, she is actively working to assist the man in pursuing his education or acquiring new skills by helping him enroll in a local center.
In response to the concerns raised, Josefa Banivalu, a welfare officer from the Ministry of Social Protection, clarified that the financial assistance is designated for the individual with a disability, not the household as a whole. “This assistance is for the individual. If there is an issue, the family can come to our office, and we will look into why the payments were stopped,” he said. Banivalu stressed that direct communication with the ministry is the best approach for resolving such matters.
It is essential that vulnerable individuals receive adequate support, especially those living with disabilities. The ongoing conversation surrounding welfare assistance highlights the need for clear communication and understanding between social support systems and families in need. By addressing these issues, there is hope for improved solutions that can better assist those most affected.