Official Government Statement

The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services reminds the public that the review of its Food Support Programme is ongoing, in keeping with the requirements of the Programme and its eligibility criteria.   

In administering the Food Support Programme, the Ministry is required to review the Programme regularly, to ensure that it targets those who are in need of food support, on a temporary or an extended period, taking into consideration the unreported changes in the composition of the household of the recipient, over time.   This process takes time because the client’s household situation must be considered in its entirety, which may require a visit by an officer from the Ministry.

It should be noted that all of the Ministry’s main grants namely, Public Assistance, Disability Assistance and the Senior Citizens’ Pension, are designed to meet the nutritional requirements of the recipients.  The Ministry continues to make its food support payments at an average of $21 million each month, to those eligible clients, while undertaking its review process.