The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare says the registration of new beneficiaries for the Conditional Basic Income Grant (CBIG) has been halted due to depleted funding.
Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema said this in parliament on Thursday while responding to questions on the matter.
Kantema said the resumption of the halted registration process depends on the availability of budgetary resources, and noted that registration can only resume once funds have been secured.
“If funds become available, the ministry will communicate the registration dates and procedures through regional ministry and constituency offices,” she said.
According to Kantema, those previously excluded from registration will be given a “fair” opportunity to register, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and their household status, residence, and income bracket can be verified.
The CBIG is a monthly cash grant paid to identified vulnerable Namibians between 18 and 59 years of age. The income grant was introduced in 2022 as part of the transition from the Food Bank Programme to direct monthly cash transfers. Eligible households currently receive N$600 per month to support their needs.
“The ministry will also ensure that regional offices are properly involved in future registration processes to improve access, provide support to applicants, and strengthen accountability,” Kantema said.
The minister noted that the grant is specifically intended to support extremely poor households in urban and peri-urban areas, and is not for individual applicants.
The ministry’s September payment cycle shows that 27 132 beneficiaries are receiving the grant countrywide, with Khomas having the highest number of beneficiaries at 11 993, followed by Kavango East with 1 995.
Under the eligibility criteria, households must have proof of no income, apart from child grants. Households receiving old-age or disability grants are not eligible.
Applicants are required to provide a Namibian identity document, full birth certificates, proof of residence such as municipal bills or verification notes, and a declaration of unemployment.
The ministry acknowledged concerns that the requirements may disadvantage people living in informal settlements who do not have formal addresses, municipal bills or plot numbers.
Kantema said the requirements are necessary to verify residence, household status and eligibility, and to prevent abuse of the programme.
