Eligible Palauan senior citizens and Palauans receiving disability insurance benefits can get their $480 social assistance checks on June 24, 2025, said Director Elway Ikeda of the Bureau of Revenue & Taxation.

Recently passed supplemental budget bill, RPPL 12-1, appropriated $1.4 million of social assistance for Palauan citizens who are 60 years and over and not currently employed, and Palauans who are receiving disability insurance benefits from the Palau Social Security Administration. 

Many senior citizens have been waiting for this assistance, especially after tax refunds distribution early this year. 

“Our social security and pension benefits barely cover our expenses, especially with increased cost of everything now,” said a retired former government employee living in Airai.  “We thought that after last increases we will be ok, but the cost of everything just keeps going up,” he added.

The fund was first appropriated in 2024 as a social assistance after the law was changed to allow tax refunds for employed persons earning up to $15K per year, which does not include retired persons  This is not a recurring benefit, rather, it is dependent on each year’s budget appropriations as special funded program.

In 2024, around 2,000 persons received this assistance, said Director Ikeda and they expect around the same number this year.