Bigger public assistance cheques this month

SENATOR Christine Kangaloo, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Social Services Delivery), yesterday gave the assurance that recipients of public assistance will begin receiving their increased cheques this month. She said administrative problems related to the increases had been ironed out.

In addition, cheques covering arrears will be distributed from April, Kangaloo said at a press conference yesterday. She said the budgetary allocation for public assistance was $125,400,000, and approximately 25,000 persons will be receiving cheques. A single member household will now receive $320 a month, instead of $222, while a two member household will get $560 a month, an increase from $428. A household of three persons will now receive $770 a month instead of $625, and there is now a maximum grant of $940 instead of $720. Public assistance is granted to needy persons who are unable to earn a living because of some physical or mental disability. It is also granted on behalf of needy children, and to heads of households where the parent is dead, living in an institution, or where the child has been deserted or abandoned by a parent, or not being maintained by the parent even though ordered to do so by a court. Kangaloo said there were recommendations to increase the disability grant in 2004.