Applications for Government-funded unemployment assistance begins August 9

The applications for the Government-funded unemployment assistance that was announced in the 2021-2022 National Budget will be open on August 9.

This is the Government’s assistance for employees in the formal and informal sector on Viti Levu affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They will be assisted through a monthly payment of $120 for a period of six months – from August 2021 to January 2022.

According to a Government statement issued this evening, the first payment of $360 will be made on August 23 – this will cater for the months of August, September and October.

The second payment of $360 will be paid out in November to cater for November and December 2021, and January 2022.

One of the criteria an individual has to meet to be eligible for the first round of the $360 payment is to have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by August 7.

“As part of the criteria to be eligible for the second round of the $360 payment, you must receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before applying for it,” the Government said.

The application period for the first round of assistance opens at 9am on August 9 and closes at 5pm on August 11.

Affected individuals aged 18 years and over on Viti Levu can apply by dialling *161# and provide all of the following mandatory information:

• Full name;
• Birth registration number or citizenship number;
• Date of birth;
• Tax Identification Number (TIN);
• FNPF number, if any;
• Voter identification number;
• Home Address;
• Declaration to confirm if the applicant has received his/her first jab of COVID-19 vaccine (YES or NO);
• If YES, provide the place of vaccination;
• Consent for Fijian Government to access applicants vaccination details (YES or NO); and
• Statutory declaration to confirm that all information provided is correct.

Individuals whose employment income has not been affected by the pandemic, as well as who receive other forms of government assistance, are not eligible for this income support.

According to the Government statement, the Ministry of Economy will work in partnership with Vodafone, Digicel, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, FNPF and Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board to verify and process the applications.

For ease of access, funds will be deposited directly into the MPAiSA or MyCASH wallet eligible recipients. Recipients will be able to withdraw cash or purchase items from registered MPAiSA and MyCash outlets.