The government has approved a significant expansion of the national social safety net for the 2026-27 fiscal year, increasing both the number of beneficiaries and the monthly allowance rates across several key programmes.
The decisions were finalised during the 32nd meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Social Safety Net Programmes on Sunday. The session, held in the Finance Division, was presided over by the finance adviser.
Social Welfare Ministry initiatives
Under the Ministry of Social Welfare, the old age allowance programme will now reach 6.2 million people, following an intake of 100,000 new beneficiaries. Within this group, 5.995 million elderly citizens will see their monthly allowance rise from Tk650 to Tk700, while 205,000 individuals aged over 90 will receive Tk1,000 per month.
Similarly, the widow and destitute women allowance programme will cover 2.9 million beneficiaries. Of these, 2.875 million women will receive Tk700 monthly, up from Tk650, while 25,000 beneficiaries over the age of 90 are set to receive Tk1,000 per month.
The disability allowance programme is also being expanded to cover 3.6 million people, up from the current 3.45 million. Most beneficiaries (3,581,900) will receive Tk900 per month, while 18,100 will receive Tk1,000.
Monthly stipends for students with disabilities will increase by Tk50, with new rates fixed at Tk950 for primary, Tk1,000 for secondary, Tk1,100 for higher secondary, and Tk1,350 for higher education levels.
For marginalised communities, the livelihood development programme will now support 228,389 beneficiaries – an increase of 7,000 – with monthly allowances rising to Tk700.
The number of students from these communities receiving stipends has increased to 45,338, with monthly rates set between Tk700 and Tk1,200 depending on the level of education. Additionally, 5,490 individuals from these groups will be provided with skills development training.
Healthcare and maternal support
The government has doubled the one-time financial assistance for patients suffering from critical illnesses, including cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and thalassaemia, from Tk50,000 to Tk100,000.
The number of recipients for this medical aid has been raised to 65,000.
Under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the mother and child assistance programme will expand to include 1.895 million beneficiaries, with each mother receiving a monthly allowance of Tk850.
Food security and liberation war affairs The Ministry of Food’s food-friendly programme will now serve 6 million families, an increase of 500,000. This initiative provides 30kg of rice per month at a subsidised rate of Tk15 per kg for six months.
For gallantry award-winning freedom fighters and the families of martyred freedom fighters, the monthly allowance will increase by Tk5,000. The committee also recommended that the advisory body oversee monthly honorariums for the families of those killed or injured in the July mass uprising.
Fisheries sector expansion The meeting recommended the inclusion of 273,514 new fishermen under the vulnerable group feeding programme for FY27. This will bring the total number of fishermen covered by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock programme to 1.5 million.
