The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved to provide Rs. 13.36 billion special three-month cash allowance to 3.34 million families affected by the current economic crisis.

The financial assistance will be provided to low-income families entitled to categories identified under Samurdhi, Elderly, Kidney and Disabilities from May to July.

The support scheme is funded by the World Bank.

“The monthly allocation of this initiative is Rs. 4.45 billion, whilst on a monthly basis it will be Rs. 12.36 billion,” Trade and Samurdhi Development Minister Shehan Semasinghe said joining the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

As per the Minister for senior citizens that already receive Rs. 2,000 will get an additional Rs. 3,000, whilst senior citizens older than 100 years of age who receive Rs. 5,000 currently will get another Rs. 2,500. For senior citizens who have applied and had been identified for it will receive Rs. 5,000.

In addition, for disabled persons who already receive Rs. 5,000 will get an additional Rs. 2,500 and kidney patients who applied for the scheme Rs. 5,000.

Minister Semasinghe also said that this financial assistance will be provided among low-income families identified under three categories of Samurdhi beneficiaries.

“Beneficiaries who already receive Rs. 1,900 and Rs. 3,200 will be provided with additional Rs. 3,100 and those who receive Rs. 4,500 at present will be handed over another Rs. 3,500,” he added.

The Cabinet also decided to provide Rs. 5,000 to about 732,000 more similar individuals under this scheme.

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