Finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi has launched the N$562m Emergency Income Grant (EIG), a once-off payment of N$750 in cash grant per qualifying person, on the basis of a set of eligibility criteria.
This is estimated to benefit up to 739,000 Namibians.
over the next days and hours, information on the details of the grant and the processes to be followed will continue to be rolled out. Applications start on 10 April 2020 until the 30th April 2020. The payments start on 14 April 2020.
said the grant targets those aged 18 to 59 years of age who have lost jobs or income, as a result of the COVID-19 and those unemploy considering the effects of COVID-19 and related public health protective measures have weakened them.
Persons who lost jobs or had reduced wages in the formal sector will be supported through grants by the SSC through government-backed preferential loans. This will be done in collaboration with the Social Security Commission.
said those below 18, employed and have not experienced a reduction in wages, (iii) those receiving any social grants and NSFAF and had jobs or reduced wages in the formal sector.
Persons who lost jobs or reduced wages in the formal sector will be supported through grants by the SSC through government-backed preferential loans. This will be done in collaboration with the Social Security Commission.
How to apply for the emergency grant (i) applicants will nominate themselves and make an application SMS to MTC number 141222, free of charge, (ii) MTC will send out a trigger SMS to all MTC Sim cardholders to prompt the application process.
(iii) applicants will answer a set of predetermined questions with details such as the person name and surname, national identity number, preferred cell phone number (through which the benefits will be paid) and the region of residence.
(iv) noting that not all people own cell phones, up to ten persons can use one cell phone number and make their own cash withdrawal.
(v) the payments will only be made via digital wallets of participating commercial banks(FNB Namibia, Bank Windhoek and Standard Bank).
Applicants will be requested to indicate a commercial bank of their choice where their digital wallets will be distributed.
The database of applicants so generated by MTC will be subjected to rigorous validation checks against the eligibility criteria. This activity will be conducted by MobiPay Namibia, free of charge.
12. Payments will be done by the participating commercial banks within 72 hours of approval.
13. Deloitte Namibia will audit both the MobiPay information systems for data integrity as well as the payments to be made by commercial banks.
14. An information outreach will be extended to Regional Councillors through Regional Governors to facilitate the identification of persons who may not have access to cell phones or those of their trusted acquaintances.