Destitute Persons’ Allowance
Basic Information
Country
Geographic area
Programme type
Population group
Persons with disabilities
Programme Details
Programme objectives
To ensure the provision of minimum assistance to destitute citizens.
Government of Botswana. 2011. “Destitution Programme.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Local-Authorities/ChobeDistrict-Council/Chobe-District-Council/Services/DESTITUTION-PROGRAMME/>.
Programme components
Food basket; burial services; cash allowance.
Start date
2003
Government of Botswana. n.d. Elderly & Benefit Services. Gaborone: Ministry of Local Government. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/Global/MLG/ELDERLY%202009.pdf?epslanguage=em>.
Coverage
33,730 beneficiaries (2014)
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. 2015. Department of Social Protection Programmes. Gaborone: Government of Botswana.
Programme expenditure
BWP214 million (0.2 per cent of GDP) (2012/13)
Tesliuc, C. et al. 2013. “Botswana: Social Protection.” Social Protection & Labor Discussion Paper - Africa Social Safety Net and Social Protection Assessment Series, No. 1405. Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015. <https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/18968/890030NWP0P132085260B00PUBLIC001405.pdf>.
Targeting and eligiblity
Targeting methods
Proxy Means Test
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Targeted areas
Nationwide
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Target groups
Poor people and people with disabilities.
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this grant, the person must be assessed by social workers as either a permanently or temporarily destitute person. A permanently destitute person is unable to work due to disability, health issues and insufficient assets and income sources, having less than four livestock units, receiving an income of less than BWP120 per month for himself/herself or less than BWP150 per month if the person has dependents (a dependent is a child under 18 who relies on an adult for more than half of his/her subsistence). A temporarily destitute is a person temporarily incapacitated due to natural disasters and accidents or health-related issues. The temporarily destitute are usually able-bodied people, and are encouraged to engage in rehabilitation programmes.
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Eligibility reassessment (if any)
In the event of the beneficiary’s death, a reassessment is conducted to determine the new head of household and the level of assistance they require.
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Coverage and other information
Type of benefits
Cash; food; services
Amount of benefits
Beneficiaries are provided with: a food basket every month, shelter, burial services (at the locality where death occurs or where the person regularly resides) and a monthly cash allowance. The cash equivalent of the total amount of food transfer ranges from BWP500 (USD58.80) to BWP600 (USD70.59), depending on the area, and the cash allowance is BWP230 (USD10.59) per person. Additionally, destitute students receive school uniforms, toiletries, private clothing and other grants for educational needs. All destitute persons are exempt from paying for public services (such as medical, school, water, service levy and electricity charges).
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. 2015. Department of Social Protection Programmes. Gaborone: Government of Botswana.
Payment/delivery frequency
Monthly
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
Benefit delivery mechanism
Beneficiaries may receive the grants in cash (paid in person by officers from the Department of Social Services or via post office) or via bank deposit into their own accounts
Government of Botswana. n.d. Elderly & Benefit Services. Gaborone: Ministry of Local Government. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/Global/MLG/ELDERLY%202009.pdf?epslanguage=em>.
Minimum and maximum duration of benefits (if any)
Benefits cease in the event of death of the beneficiary.
Ministry of Local Government. 2011. “Destitute Allowance.” Government of Botswana website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/Ministry-of-LocalGovernment-MLG1/Services/Destitude-allowance/>.
