2021-01-08
New year will start with a new phase or a new wave of targeted social assistance to cover systemic measures for the social security of our citizens. It was announced by Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia at a working meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordination Council today.
The Head of Government of Georgia elaborated in detail on the targeted social assistance, which will be implemented by the Government of Georgia and thereby noted that it is vital that citizens get the due social allowances quickly and timely.
"From the very first days of the epidemic in the country our main task was to initially care for the health of humans with a minimum harm to the economy of Georgia. These prime goals were guiding our individual steps and measures. You may well be aware that during the first stage back in Spring 2020 we presented a number of measures for social assistance of our citizens, along with specific measures in support of businesses. After November 28, 2020 when we announced the new phase of COVID restrictions, we also elaborated specific steps of social assistance that were aimed at counterbalancing the imposed regulations. These included one-off social allowances in the value of 300 GEL, which have benefited over 120 000 citizens of Georgia according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF). Nevertheless, we need to say that a new year will start with a new phase or a new wave of targeted social assistance to cover systemic measures for the social security of our citizens. First of such measures is the social allowances to our citizens in the value of 1200 GEL for 6 months, which turned out to be effective in the first round. These payments will be made to individuals who lost jobs and monthly income since December 2020. Their records keeping has started already. This is the first part of the initiative. Second one envisages a subsistence allowance for vulnerable groups with a scoring in the range of 65 000 to 100 000. They will be paid 100 GEL for 6 months. Also, every household with a subsistence score of up to 100 000 with three or more children aged under 16 will get 100 GEL for 6 months. Children with disabilities aged under 18 and individuals with acute disabilities will also get 100 GEL for 6 months. These social packages are budgeted at about 610 million GEL. Besides, specific targeted support will be provided to companies to make sure that they keep their employees. It is crucial that applications are filed by citizens of the country to benefit from the referred = social assistance that I have listed here. Ministries of Finance (MOF) and Health (MOH) are ready for this. No delays will be experienced in the process. Main goal is to make sure that citizens who lost jobs and who are eligible for these targeted social assistance, get the State support quickly and timely" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Press Service of the Government Administration