PARAMARIBO – People who need the purchasing power boost and who were registered in April and May 2023 still have not received it. Joan Smith reportedly went to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo) two weeks ago to ask questions about the current status regarding her request but she still has not received a response.

 She claimed that people who do not need this welfare receive it. Smith pointed out that an acquaintance of hers filled in the form online and that the acquaintance in question then received the money in her bank account. She is puzzled by the way Sozavo operates. Another citizen who handed in all of the required documents along with his application also complained that he had not received any response for a long time. He therefore decided to send his application via the internet and received the money shortly afterwards. “I had to wait for an entire year and I finally got the money after having sent my request online. I am happy that I also get the money but I wonder how many people were selected to receive the purchasing power boost even though they do not meet the criteria. Others need the money urgently but can’t get it.” Melissa who earns SRD 450 for a day’s work explained that she does not always have work which is why she also applied for the purchasing power boost. “I counted on the SRD 1,800 to help me make ends meet. I have been to Sozavo thrice to ask if I will get the purchasing power boost. I have lost hope because I do not think that I will ever receive it.”…[+]