More Bahrainis Seek Financial Aid Amid Rising Cost of Living

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

An uptick in the number of individuals turning to the Ministry of Social Development for support has been observed.

According to the data, 226 new families have signed up for the High Cost allowance, raising the total number of recipients in August to 133,173, up from 132,947 in July.

In addition, 53 new individuals have been added to the disability allowance scheme, bringing the August total to 14,466, compared to 14,413 in July.

From July 1 to September 30, 933 new families have joined the Compensation Subsidies on Meat scheme, increasing the total to 185,807, up from 184,814 in the previous quarter.

This financial assistance, a government grant, is meant to aid those with low incomes in covering their living expenses, following certain eligibility criteria. The Ministry of Social Development, working alongside the Information and eGovernment Authority and other key agencies, looks after the distribution.

Since January 2022, financial aid levels for low-income families have increased. Support is set at 110 dinars for the first category, which includes incomes from 0 to 300 dinars; 77 dinars for the second category, for incomes between 301 and 700 dinars; and 55 dinars for the third category, for incomes between 701 and 1000 dinars.

Registration is handled by registration and social assistance departments at social centres across Bahrain.

Disability allowances are handed out in accordance with a ministerial order outlining eligibility criteria. Disabilities include physical, intellectual, visual, hearing impairments, autism, cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities.