4000 more senior citizens are expected to be assisted under the Government’s monthly Social Pension Scheme.

This comes after the eligibility age for scheme will be lowered from 68 years to 66 years from today.

According to the Social Welfare Ministry, the scheme is currently benefiting 18, 293 senior citizens in Fiji through an increased budgetary allocation from $8 million to $13 million.

The Social Pension Scheme provides monthly payments of $50 to persons aged 68 and over; who do not have any form of income or pension, or who have never been beneficiaries of a superannuation scheme like the FNPF, Aftercare Fund or Ex-servicemen.

The Ministry is also assisting 51,978 people through the Bus Fare Subsidy.