The Government will be accepting applications for the second round of the Unemployment Benefit from Monday.

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says applications will close on 15th October, and only fully vaccinated Fijians can apply for the $360 assistance.

He says payments will be made from early next month.

“It will cover a three month period from November to January, all affected individuals 18-years and over in Viti Levu can apply by dialing *161# and they need to provide the following information, their full name, birth registration number, or citizenship number, date of birth, TAX identification number and FNPF number if any.”

The Minister stresses that only those individuals who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by October 31st can qualify for the assistance.

“We understand as stated earlier people who may not have received the second dose at the time of the application which is from next week Monday to Friday but they can still apply, as long as they get vaccinated by 31st October and provide evidence of it. So if for example, maybe your second dose is due week after next and the application closes end of next week – you can still apply as long as you get your second dose by 31st October.”

Sayed-Khaiyum says all applicants must fill in a declaration stating they are fully vaccinated.

He says they must give consent for government to access the database to see if this is accurate.

He adds that no consent will mean the application will not be processed.

Sayed-Khaiyum says individuals who are employed and those who are receiving other forms of government assistance are not eligible.

He says civil servants, those employed in the private sector and statutory bodies (including those on reduced hours), those who are on the FNPF pension scheme, and social welfare recipients are also not eligible for the assistance.

Sayed-Khaiyum says all students on Tertiary Education Loan Scheme and Toppers scholarship receiving living allowances are also not be eligible.

Fijians are also reminded that applications with incorrect details, for example, incorrect TIN, Birth Registration Number, and FNPF number will be disqualified and the Ministry will not accept changes afterward.