During its meeting of 22nd June 2011, the Cabinet approved proposals for the merger of the current Social Security Fund and the Social Welfare Agency into a single Agency, in order to provide a more streamlined, cost effective, faster and more flexible service for both social welfare applicants and those entitled to existing statutory benefits.

The proposed measures are in line with the President's call in his National Day Address, for urgent reforms in the management of social welfare benefits, to ensure that assistance was made available in a timely manner to all those who were genuinely in need of it.

"I speak often of the need to review procedures and help those who need assistance.  I will continue to speak out on behalf of those who are disappointed with this Agency.  I shall always say that it is wrong when a person in need has to wait over one month, or even longer, to get a reply to their application.  We shall put an end to such frustrations.....  Let us never allow a child to go to bed on an empty stomach because of weaknesses in a system set up specifically to assist the more vulnerable," said the President during his address on 18th June.

The new Agency will use a new and upgraded Management Information System for determining welfare benefits, and for monitoring and evaluation of the system.  New methods of payment delivery will also be considered.

The Cabinet emphasised that the social welfare system was a safety net intended primarily to provide prompt financial assistance to persons who were genuinely unable to find employment, as well as employed individuals and who needed a supplementation to meet basic living expenses. 

In the case of unemployed persons receiving welfare benefits, the new Agency would work closely with the Employment Department to enable them to find suitable employment as soon as possible.

Legislation for the establishment of the new Agency will be finalized by July 2011.  Training will be provided for all of the Agency's staff, and the Agency is expected to be fully operational by 1st January 2012.