NaCSA, MELSS and Partners Commence Payment of the Aged...

*30th September 2024, Bombali District Office* – It could be recalled that earlier this year, the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security (MELSS) and partner completed a digitized nationwide registration, targeting and enrolment of the aged (age 70 years and above). The overall aim of the exercise was to have an accurate database of the aged, referred to as the target population and members of their households.

A total of 11,606 aged population were verified, targeted and enrolled in the 10 districts of Bo, Bombali, Kambia, Koinadugu, Port-Loko, Tonkolili, Kailahun, Kono, Moyamba and Bonthe. Beneficiaries were verified and targeted using Light Proxy-Means Testing (LPMT) criteria to ensure all initially registered aged are interviewed to assess their level of vulnerability and enrolled if qualified. Determination of those targeted and enrolled was done in the field using the score-checking tool embedded in the Enrolment ODK tool.

Having critically scrutinised the targeting enrolment data and following the established processes and procedures, NaCSA and MELSS piloted payment in Bo, Kambia, and Bonthe districts. Considering that the pilot payment was effective and efficient, NaCSA and MELSS have on Friday 27th September 2024 commenced payment in all 10 districts.

The 11,606 (Thirteen Thousand and Ninety-One) targeted and enrolled beneficiaries will receive the first tranche payment of NLe 1047 (One Thousand Four Hundred and forty seven Leones) inclusive of cash-out fees. This means, the take home benefit is NLe 1016 (One Thousand One Hundred and Sixteen Leones).

Beneficiaries are at liberty to cash out from any Orange Money kiosk/agents, however, as part of the crowd control plan, Orange Money has positioned the cash-out points. As much as beneficiaries may want to cash out, they are advised not to do it in haste, they can cash out their benefits at any time; even after one month. They are not permitted to cash out through person-to-person (P2P), only through Orange Money Agents.

Beneficiaries are strongly encouraged to save some portion of their benefits for the ‘’rainy day.’’ At the cash-out points, beneficiaries are to properly check and recheck their benefit to ensure that the payment received is correct. To this end, beneficiaries should kindly bring along a trusted person to ensure that the benefit delivered to them is correct.

*For further information on this and other matters, don't hesitate to get in touch with The Information, Education and Communication Unit:* *+23277022709/+23230518539* www.nacsa.gov.sl