Sharjah Ruler increases monthly social grant by 45%
Order will reflect in payments with effect from January 1
Sharjah: Beneficiaries of social assistance in Sharjah stand to get 45 per cent more on their monthly grants as of January 1, 2012.
The increase in payments was announced by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in a phone conversation during the Direct Line show broadcast by Sharjah TV and Radio.
The increase in grants is valued at Dh50.4 million. The gesture takes the assistance provided annually by the Social Services Department to Dh162.4 million, benefiting 8,092 families.
Shaikh Sultan said the social assistance would cover retirees who were previously unable to receive aid.
Shaikh Sultan said that he closely followed up on complaints made by the retired category and others before deciding to raise the social assistance.
Cash assistance
Afaf Al Merri, director of the Social Services Department, said that 4,102 families benefit from cash assistance in the emirate and its suburbs, while 3,099 families receive their monthly social assistance through Sanad banking cards issued by Sharjah Islamic Bank.
The assistance ranges from Dh1,000 to Dh5,440.
Meanwhile, the Sharjah Executive Council has ordered the immediate implementation of the increase in grants ordered by Shaikh Sultan. The order was issued during the Council's meeting yesterday chaired by Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.
