The Cabinet has approved changes to the termite subsidy amounts under the Termite Subsidy Programme to extend support to a wider array of applicants. The new structure will provide $2,000 to households with earnings below $30,000, down from the previous allowance of $5,000. For households with a combined income of $30,000 and above, the subsidy will now be $1,000, reduced from $2,000.
This modification is designed to assist more applicants, offering relief to homeowners affected by damages resulting from ant infestations. The government has allocated $2.9 million in the 2025-2026 budget for this initiative, in addition to the $5 million already expended since the programme’s launch.
Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sakiusa Tubuna, emphasized during a recent address to Parliament that across the last two financial years, 807 households have benefited from the Termite Control Assistance Programme (TCAP), receiving a cumulative total of $3,990,000 in aid. Parliamentary records indicate that during the 2023–2024 financial year, 448 households were aided at a cost of $2,213,000, with 439 of those households earning below $30,000 together receiving $2,195,000. Additionally, 9 households with incomes ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 were granted $18,000.
In the following financial year, 2024–2025, a total of 357 households received support amounting to $1,777,000. Of these, 353 were in the lower income bracket, receiving $1,765,000, while 4 households in the $30,000–$50,000 range gained $12,000.
This strategic funding shift aims to enhance accessibility for assistance among vulnerable households, helping to alleviate the repercussions of ant-related damage. By broadening the criteria and adjusting the subsidy amounts, the government seeks to ensure that more families can receive essential support during challenging times.