Social Welfare & Benefits
Financial assistance, rehabilitation, and support services for vulnerable families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities
ⓘ Amounts are per household per month. Households with 2 or fewer members receive half the stated amount. Amounts and periods are subject to Gazette notification — check wbb.gov.lk for the latest. Additionally: elderly beneficiaries receive a Rs. 5,000/month top-up, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients receive Rs. 5,000/month as supplemental support through December 2025.
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Obtain the application form from the Social Welfare counter at this office or download it from wbb.gov.lk. Submit to this office within the open application window.
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A Grama Niladhari officer will visit your home for a household-level enumeration, collecting 22 socio-economic indicators to calculate your Multidimensional Deprivation Score.
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A Selection Committee at this office reviews and verifies the information. The preliminary beneficiary list is published at the GN office and on wbb.gov.lk for public inspection.
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If your name is included, you will be notified to provide a bank account number. Monthly payments are credited directly to your account — no cash counters.
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If your name is not on the list and you believe you are eligible, file an appeal (see below). New applications are accepted annually.
- If your name is not on the list, download the appeal form at wbb.gov.lk or collect it from the Social Welfare counter at this office
- Submit the form online at iwms.wbb.gov.lk/complaint or physically at this office
- District Secretariat Assessment Committees review all appeals — targeted 10-week resolution window
- Check whether your name is on the current beneficiary list at iwms.wbb.gov.lk/household/list
- Objections (if a non-eligible person is on the list) can also be filed — supporting evidence required
- Beneficiary lists are published at every GN office in the division for physical inspection
The scheme is expanding in July 2025, adding approximately 400,000 new families. Eligibility criteria are also being revised with new indicators to better reflect post-crisis poverty realities. New applications are accepted annually — you do not need to wait for a special window.
Providing false information in an Aswesuma application is a criminal offence under the Welfare Benefits Act No. 24 of 2002. Benefits may be terminated and recovery proceedings initiated if fraud is discovered. Eligibility is reassessed periodically — report changes in your household income or circumstances to this office promptly.
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Livelihood development grants for small-scale self-employment — home-based sewing, food processing, handicrafts, home gardening, and small agriculture. Apply through the Samurdhi Officer at this office.
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Samurdhi Community Banking (SCB) — savings and micro-credit facility operated through Samurdhi Bank Societies at the GN division level. Members can borrow at low interest for income-generating activities.
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Housing assistance — grants toward housing improvements for low-income families. Applied through the Samurdhi Officer with GN certification.
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Empower 2025 programme — the Ministry plans to empower 300,000 Aswesuma beneficiaries through livelihood development, infrastructure support, and social welfare upskilling in 2025.
- Current or former Samurdhi / Aswesuma beneficiary status or low-income household
- NIC of applicant
- Grama Niladhari certification of income status
- For self-employment grant: business proposal / estimate for the activity
- For SCB loan: active Samurdhi Bank Society membership and savings record
The Samurdhi Bank Societies continue to operate at GN division level even under the Aswesuma transition — they offer savings accounts, small loans, and insurance products to low-income community members. Contact the Samurdhi Officer at this office or your GN for the nearest society location.
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Elders' Identity Card — Citizens aged 60+ can obtain an Elders' Identity Card from their Grama Niladhari or from this office. The card gives priority service at government institutions, additional interest on NSB fixed deposits, and a 5% discount on medicines from the National Pharmaceuticals Department.
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Monthly Elderly Allowance (Aswesuma top-up) — Under the 2025 Aswesuma expansion, 820,000 elderly beneficiaries receive an additional Rs. 5,000/month (increased from Rs. 3,000 in April 2025). Eligibility requires being an existing Aswesuma beneficiary aged 70+ with income below Rs. 3,000/month.
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Maintenance Board — Elders who have been neglected by their children may claim maintenance from them under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000. Apply through the DS office. Parents under 60 with physical or mental disability may also apply.
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Home Care Services — Trained home care workers are available through the National Secretariat for Elders at low cost (around Rs. 750 per 8-hour shift). Contact this office for a referral.
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Divisional Elders' Committee — Every DS division has a Divisional Elders' Committee supported by a government grant of Rs. 5,000. Village-level GN Elders' Committees also receive support. If no committee exists in your area, speak with your GN to establish one.
- NIC confirming age 60 or above
- Birth certificate (if NIC is not clear on age)
- One passport-size photograph
- Obtainable from GN office, this DS office, or the National Secretariat for Elders
Under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000, children who neglect their elderly parents can be taken before the Maintenance Board and ordered to pay maintenance. The Act also requires all organisations providing services to elders to be registered. If an elder in your community needs help and has no family, contact this office for a referral to the Wedihiti Awarana sponsorship scheme.
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Monthly Living Allowance (NSPD) — Rs. 10,000/month (increased from Rs. 3,000 in 2019, raised to Rs. 10,000 from April 2025). Programme running since 2007, now expanding to 72,000 beneficiaries. Administered through the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD). Apply with DS recommendation.
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Assistive Devices — wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles, crutches distributed subject to availability and medical certification. Applications require DS recommendation and a medical certificate from a government institution. Maximum value: Rs. 10,000 per device.
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Self-Employment Grants — low-income persons with disabilities (income below Rs. 6,000/month) can apply for a self-employment seed grant. A business estimate must be submitted with DS recommendation. DS recommendation is the gateway — apply at this office.
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Vocational Training — the Department of Social Services and NSPD coordinate free vocational training at provincial centres for youth with disabilities. Contact the Social Welfare counter here for registration.
- Medical certificate from a recognised government hospital confirming the disability and its permanence
- NIC of the person with disability
- DS recommendation letter — obtained from the Social Welfare counter at this office
- For living allowance: Grama Niladhari certification of household income
- For devices: doctor's prescription specifying the device required
- For self-employment grant: written business plan / estimate for the activity
- Disability Identity Card issued by NSPD (if already registered)
Online Assistive Devices Inventory Portal
Real-time list of available wheelchairs, specialized seats, walkers, & crutches for low-income citizens before applying.
Under the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996, all public buildings are legally required to be accessible. Employers with 25+ employees must employ at least 1% persons with disabilities. The DS recommendation is the key document for nearly all disability benefits — visit the Social Welfare counter here first before going to provincial or national offices. The NSPD disability living allowance is separate from the Aswesuma disability top-up; a person may be eligible for both.
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Contagious / Serious Disease Assistance — financial aid for families where the breadwinner is suffering from Tuberculosis (TB), Leprosy, or Cancer. Requires a medical certificate from a government hospital and GN confirmation of the family's financial hardship.
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD / CKDU) — patients diagnosed with CKD of unknown etiology receive Rs. 5,000/month through the Aswesuma scheme. Benefits extended through December 2025 under the 2025 expansion. Application through the Social Welfare counter with a hospital letter confirming diagnosis.
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Casual Relief (House Fire / Flood / Disaster) — one-time grants for families whose homes have been destroyed or severely damaged by fire, flood, or other sudden disaster. The GN files a situation report; relief is disbursed through this office upon DS approval.
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Cataract Lens Assistance — low-income senior citizens requiring Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) surgery can apply for assistance. Monthly income below Rs. 3,000 and a surgeon's prescription from a government Eye Hospital are required.
- For disease assistance: medical certificate from a government hospital confirming TB, Leprosy, Cancer, or CKD diagnosis
- Grama Niladhari report on family circumstances and financial situation
- NIC of the patient / affected family member
- For house fire / disaster: GN situation report describing the damage
- For cataract: prescription from a government Eye Surgeon confirming IOL requirement
Casual relief funds are limited in quantity and allocated annually. Apply as soon as possible after the event — delayed applications may not be accommodated within the current year's budget. Always get the GN situation report filed within the first week of the incident.
The Sri Lanka Social Security Board (SLSSB), established by Act No. 17 of 1996, provides pension and social security for those not covered by a government pension. Membership can be obtained at this DS office, GN offices, or directly at SLSSB district offices. Visit ssb.gov.lk for more details.
🧑 Surekuma
For individuals aged 18–59. Choose your pension amount and payment period. Pension begins at age 60. The most widely used scheme.
👶 Arassawa
For children under 18, contributions by guardians. Auto-transfers to Surekuma at age 18 — great way to start saving for your child's retirement.
🎨 Kalakaru
For artists aged 23–55. Customisable pension + Rs. 50,000 fixed deposit paid alongside the first pension payment.
✈️ Vigamanika
For migrant workers aged 18–59. Payment options match work duration abroad. Pension starts at 60.
⛵ Seafarers Scheme
Social security for seafarers under Sri Lanka's Maritime Labour Convention and Merchant Shipping Act.
🧑🌾 Farmers & Self-Employed
Farmers, fishermen, and self-employed individuals can enroll in Surekuma with flexible contribution options suited to irregular income.
SLSSB membership can be enrolled at this office, at your GN's office, or at the SLSSB district office. Contributions are flexible and affordable — many self-employed residents in the division are not covered by any pension. Starting a Surekuma account today, even with small contributions, secures your income after 60.
Social Welfare Help Desk
Bring your NIC and a Grama Niladhari certificate when visiting for any welfare inquiry. We will guide you to the right programme.
