Welfare insurance scheme ends as Government funding ceases

Thousands of social welfare recipients will no longer be covered under Fiji's Insurance Scheme for Social Welfare Recipients from today after Government funding for the programme ended with the commencement of the 2026-2027 financial year.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection said the scheme has ceased because no funding was allocated for it in the 2026-2027 National Budget.

Introduced in August 2018, the Government-funded scheme provided free insurance cover for eligible recipients under the Family Assistance, Child Protection, Disability Allowance and Social Pension schemes. It offered one-off financial assistance of up to $3,000 for fire and personal accident claims, a $1,000 funeral benefit and a $3,000 life insurance payment for eligible beneficiaries. The Government paid the insurance premiums on behalf of recipients.

At its peak, around 86,000 social welfare recipients were covered, with more than $21 million paid out in claims since the scheme began.

Despite the closure of the insurance scheme, the Ministry says Government support for vulnerable families will continue through existing programmes, including the Family Assistance Scheme, Child Protection Allowance, Disability Allowance Scheme, Social Pension Scheme, Transport Assistance Programme and the Allowance for Rural Pregnant Mothers.

The Ministry added that it will continue to review Fiji's social protection programmes and said the insurance scheme could be reconsidered in future policy and budget discussions.

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