WILLEMSTAD - In a recent announcement, Minister of Social Development, Labor, and Welfare (SOAW), Rutmilda Larmonie-Cecilia, revealed that starting this Friday, July 14th, welfare recipients in Curaçao will experience a significant boost in their benefits. The increase, which officially goes into effect on July 17th, applies to both welfare standards and the Old Age Pension (AOV) compensation, with a substantial rise of 30%.
The additional funds related to these increases will be made available to recipients this Friday, July 14th, providing them with the much-needed support they require.
The updated benefit amounts corresponding to the 30% increase are as follows:
For single individuals receiving welfare, the fortnightly amount will rise from NAf 162.40 to NAf 211.12, resulting in a monthly total of NAf 422.24.
Couples who are beneficiaries of welfare will witness their fortnightly amount grow from NAf 281.10 to NAf 365.43, equivalent to NAf 730.86 per month.
Pensioners, who rely on a single pension or income until reaching the pension age, will see their monthly benefit increase from NAf 130 to NAf 169, starting from August 2023.
This increase is applicable to all welfare recipients, ensuring that the additional support is extended to everyone in need.
To avoid any potential repayment issues, welfare recipients who have not yet updated their information are strongly encouraged to contact the SOAW ministry by calling 724-5333 and scheduling an appointment. This is in accordance with the welfare law (Article 30, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Island Ordinance on granting assistance to Curaçao 2008), aiming to prevent any retroactive effects or repayment requirements outlined in Article 29 of the same ordinance.
Minister Larmonie-Cecilia emphasized the importance of responsible use of the increased benefits and urged all welfare recipients to utilize the additional support in a thoughtful manner, ensuring it serves as a catalyst for their well-being and stability.