NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than $68 million will be injected into social services in the upcoming fiscal year as the government seeks to continue to support vulnerable sectors, including unemployed Bahamians and others who have been hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Social Services will receive $81.4 million in the upcoming budget, compared to the $60.3 million in the current fiscal period.

The increase can be attributed to a more than $20 million increase in “social assistance”.

The line item will see an increase from $5 million in 2020/2021 to $25 million in 2021/2022, according to the budget.

The government forecasts to spend half the amount in the following two fiscal periods, coming in at $12.5 million in 2022/2023 and $12.5 million in 2023/2024.

The government invested more than $32 million in the 2020/2021 budget in social assistance.

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