Ministry of Social Development: What is being circulated about the study of basic life is misleading, far from the truth, and inaccurate

04-03-2023

Commenting on what was circulated regarding the response of the Ministry of Social Development to one of the questions received from the House of Representatives regarding the definition of the minimum basic life requirements for individuals and families in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Ministry of Social Development clarified that what is being circulated about one of the studies mentioned in the response is out of context, misleading, far from the truth, and inaccurate. The ministry indicated that the response to the circulating parliamentary question only touched on a specific type of support provided to eligible citizens, as the parliamentary question subject to an answer inquired about a specific type of support, which is related to social assistance and not the program package related to social support for eligible citizens. The Ministry affirmed that the Social Security Law guaranteed entitlement to social assistance through an integrated package of social support programs for eligible citizens, which is represented in cash benefits that are decided to be granted to any family or individual in accordance with the provisions of the law for all groups that do not have an adequate source of income on which they depend for their livelihood in order to help them secure the minimum requirements of basic life, and it includes 11 categories as follows: the family, the widow, the divorced, the abandoned, the elderly, the family of the inmate in reform and rehabilitation centers, the incapable of working, and individuals with special needs. the private, the unmarried girl, the boy and the orphan). The number of beneficiaries of social support programs reached 130 thousand 653 Bahraini families, according to statistics for the month of February during the current year. The Ministry noted that the Social Security Law guarantees entitlement to social assistance, which is represented in the cash benefits that are decided to be granted to any family or individual in accordance with the provisions of the law for all groups that do not have an adequate source of income on which they depend for their livelihood, in order to help them secure the minimum basic life requirements. Three eligibility categories fall under the financial support program for low-income people, which are those whose incomes range between zero and 300, those whose incomes range between 301 and 700, and those whose incomes range between 701 and 1000 BD. She added that the groups eligible for social assistance benefit from a package of allowances and direct support programs, which are: - Social assistance: a monthly amount of 77 dinars per person, 132 dinars for two individuals, 28 dinars for each family member whose number exceeds that. Financial support for low-income people (expensive allowance): An additional amount that is automatically disbursed to each individual and family beneficiary of social security, with the aim of helping them cope with any increase in living requirements. The support is paid in three categories (110, 77, and 55) dinars per month, according to the total income of the head of the family. Electricity Reduction: Social Security beneficiaries are supported by a monthly reduction in the electricity and water bill. - Monetary compensation in exchange for lifting subsidies on meat: represented by monetary compensation in exchange for lifting subsidies on meat. - Disability allowance: beneficiaries of social security with disabilities are supported with an amount of 100 dinars per month as an allowance for people with disabilities, whether for the applicant or members of his family, without the disbursement of assistance affecting the amount of the allowance or vice versa. Housing: Providing adequate housing through the programs and projects of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. The Ministry stressed the need to take into consideration the integrated package of social support programmes. Stressing its continuous keenness to strengthen the social protection system in the Kingdom, in line with the principles and priorities contained in the government program 2023-2026, in order to achieve the desired goals and raise the standard of living for citizens.