KOROR, Palau – Senior citizens who expected to receive their $480 social assistance payment alongside tax refunds last week were left disappointed, as the funds were not distributed due to a lack of appropriation in the national budget.
The social assistance program, introduced in 2024, was not included in this year’s funding, leaving many seniors questioning the government’s commitment.
“This bill was one of the first submitted,” President Surangel Whipps Jr. said, referring to the appropriation measure for the social assistance program, which was already authorized under the fiscal year 2025 national budget. “If they (Olbiil Era Kelulau) had passed it, I would have signed it right away.”
Despite previous discussions at press conferences, many seniors were unaware that the payments would not be available this year.
“They told us last year not to worry, that it would be coming every year, and we believed them,” one senior citizen said. “I guess it was election season, so they just said that to get our votes.”
President Whipps reiterated that the social assistance payments are separate from tax refunds and should not be confused with them.
“You have to work and pay taxes to receive a tax refund,” he said. “This is social assistance, and OEK should not be afraid to pass the bill because government collections show there are enough funds to cover it.”
The delay in funding has left many seniors frustrated and feeling cheated for not receiving the assistance.