Govt expands social safety nets, boosts allowances across multiple programmes for FY27

The government has announced a significant expansion of social safety net programmes for the 2026-27 fiscal year, raising allowances and increasing the number of beneficiaries across 15 major schemes.

The decision was taken at the 32nd meeting of the Advisory Committee on Social Safety Programmes, chaired by the Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday.

Under the Ministry of Social Welfare, the elderly allowance programme has been expanded by one lakh recipients, bringing the total to 62 lakh. Most beneficiaries will receive Tk700 per month, up from Tk650, while those aged 90 and above -- around 2.05 lakh people -- will now receive Tk1,000 monthly.

Widow and husband-abused women allowances, covering 29 lakh people, will rise to Tk700 per month for 28.75 lakh recipients, and Tk1,000 for 25,000 beneficiaries aged over 90.

Meanwhile, disability allowances and educational stipends will now reach 35.81 lakh disabled individuals at Tk900 monthly, and 18,100 recipients at Tk1,000.

Student stipends have also been increased, with monthly rates raised by Tk50 across primary, secondary, higher secondary, and tertiary levels, reaching Tk950, Tk1,000, Tk1,100, and Tk1,350 respectively.

Programmes targeting marginalised communities have grown to cover 2.28 lakh people, with allowances increased to Tk700 per month. The number of students receiving stipends in these groups has risen to 45,338, with monthly rates set at Tk700, Tk800, Tk1,000, and Tk1,200 across educational levels.

Skill development training will be provided to 5,490 marginalised individuals.

Health-related financial support programmes have been strengthened, increasing beneficiaries for critical illnesses -- including cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke, congenital heart disease, and thalassaemia -- by 5,000 to reach 65,000 people. One-off medical assistance has doubled to Tk1 lakh.

Mother and child support programmes now cover 18.95 lakh people, while the Food-Friendly Programme has expanded to 60 lakh families, providing six months of subsidised rice at Tk15 per kg.

Veterans’ allowances for freedom fighters and families of martyrs have been raised by Tk5,000.

The committee also recommended inclusion of July 2025 uprising families, injured individuals, and 2.73 lakh new fishermen under the VGF programme, increasing total beneficiaries to 15 lakh.