In the first seven months of 2026, approximately SRD 4.15 billion was spent on social provisions, according to the available payment data. President Jennifer Simons presented this amount during her annual address on Wednesday, September 30, in De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament). She also announced a further cleanup of beneficiary records and the digitisation of payments.
According to the president, social protection remains a priority, even as the government seeks to control the budget deficit and national debt.
“Financial discipline does not mean that we leave vulnerable citizens to fend for themselves,” Simons stated.
The annual address does not provide a breakdown of the SRD 4.15 billion by individual provisions. Nor does the address state how many persons or households were reached by these expenditures.
Higher benefits and child allowance
Simons pointed to increases in various social provisions. The Algemene Oudedagsvoorziening (AOV) has risen from SRD 2,250 to SRD 3,250 per month, according to the annual address.
Financial assistance for people with disabilities was increased from SRD 2,500 to SRD 3,500. Support for socially vulnerable households rose from SRD 1,750 to SRD 2,750. The Algemene Kinderbijslag doubled from SRD 125 to SRD 250 per child per month.
The president presented these adjustments as part of the policy to support vulnerable groups. The annual address does not include an overview of effective dates or the number of beneficiaries per scheme.
Backlogged entitlements being addressed
According to Simons, the government began in 2026 to address approximately SRD 257 million in overdue social entitlements from previous years.
It was not explained how much of this has since been paid out and what amount remains outstanding. Nor does the address clarify whether payments for these arrears are included in the stated total of SRD 4.15 billion.
Cleanup and digital payments
The government wants to make social support more targeted and easier to manage. To this end, beneficiary records are being cleaned up and updated. Payments are being further digitised, including through the Moni Karta.
According to Simons, these measures should contribute to greater transparency and more efficient implementation of the provisions.
“We want to make social protection financially sustainable and better targeted,” the president said.
The annual address does not mention a concrete timetable for further digitisation and completion of the records cleanup.
