APPLICATIONS to get welfare assistance from the social welfare department is expected to increase nationwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun said this is because the impact of Covid-19 on access to financial services has given rise to various problems.

“Last year, there were about 496,000 recipients. Now, it has increased to 500,000 recipients as recorded since early January,” she told reporters after distributing food baskets at Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency in Alor Gajah today.

Also present was Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

In the meantime, Rina said the social welfare department sends out volunteers who make house-to-house visits to assist the people, especially senior citizens who need help.

“So, the children need not worry if they cannot travel inter-state or district to take their parents for their vaccination,” she said.

“We have the Home Help Service team, for example, that provides assistance, and those who need its help can contact the social welfare department for further information.”

Rina said more than 10,000 senior citizens have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine under the second phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which began on April 17.

Meanwhile, Mas Ermieyati said the recently established SMART volunteer teams in Masjid Tanah are expected to be the eyes and ears of the social welfare department, ministry and government in ensuring that the welfare of the local community is protected.

“At present, we have 50 volunteers from various backgrounds and experience,” she added. – Bernama, May 1, 2021.