Social Welfare & Benefit Programs
Financial assistance, rehabilitation, and comprehensive 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 updates. 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 Mulatiyana DS or download it from wbb.gov.lk. Ensure you submit it within the open application window.
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A Grama Niladhari officer will conduct 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 thoroughly reviews the information. The preliminary beneficiary list is published at the GN office and on wbb.gov.lk for public transparency.
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If approved, you will be directed to provide a bank account number. Payments are deposited directly to your bank account — avoiding physical cash transactions.
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If your name is not on the list and you believe you are eligible, proceed to file an appeal (see below). New applications are accommodated annually.
- If your name is not on the list, download the appeal form at wbb.gov.lk or collect it from our Social Welfare counter
- Submit the form online at iwms.wbb.gov.lk/complaint or physically lodge it here
- District Secretariat Assessment Committees evaluate all appeals within a targeted 10-week resolution window
- Verify your status on the current list at iwms.wbb.gov.lk/household/list
- Objections regarding ineligible persons on the list can also be lodged — credible supporting evidence is required
- Beneficiary lists are prominently displayed at every GN office in the division for inspection
The program is set for expansion in July 2025, integrating approximately 400,000 new families. The eligibility criteria are also undergoing revisions to better reflect post-crisis poverty realities. New applications are accepted on an annual basis — there is no need to wait for a special, one-off window.
Providing false information in an Aswesuma application constitutes a criminal offence under the Welfare Benefits Act No. 24 of 2002. Benefits can be instantly terminated and recovery proceedings initiated if fraudulent activity is identified. Eligibility is reassessed periodically — please report any significant changes to your household income to this office promptly.
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Livelihood development grants for small-scale self-employment initiatives — such as home-based sewing, food processing, handicrafts, and small agriculture. Apply via the Samurdhi Officer at Mulatiyana DS.
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Samurdhi Community Banking (SCB) — an accessible savings and micro-credit facility operated through Samurdhi Bank Societies at the GN division level. Eligible members can secure low-interest loans to boost income-generating activities.
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Housing assistance — dedicated grants to aid housing improvements for the most vulnerable low-income families. Processed through the Samurdhi Officer with necessary GN certification.
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Empower 2025 programme — the Ministry aims to empower 300,000 Aswesuma beneficiaries via livelihood development, infrastructure enhancement, and upskilling support.
- Current or former Samurdhi / Aswesuma beneficiary status or classified low-income household
- NIC of the principal applicant
- Grama Niladhari certification confirming exact income status
- For self-employment grants: a realistic business proposal / estimate
- For SCB loans: an active Samurdhi Bank Society membership alongside a solid savings record
The Samurdhi Bank Societies remain highly active at the GN division level, maintaining operations even during the broader Aswesuma transition. They provide vital savings accounts, small loans, and insurance products tailored to low-income community members. Contact our resident Samurdhi Officer to locate your nearest society.
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Elders' Identity Card — Citizens aged 60+ are encouraged to obtain an Elders' Identity Card from their GN or directly from Mulatiyana DS. This card ensures priority service at all government institutions, higher interest yields on NSB fixed deposits, and a 5% discount on pharmaceuticals.
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Monthly Elderly Allowance (Aswesuma top-up) — Under the latest expansion, eligible elderly beneficiaries receive an additional Rs. 5,000/month (increased from Rs. 3,000 in April 2025). Eligibility requires being a verified Aswesuma beneficiary over 70, with personal income below Rs. 3,000/month.
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Maintenance Board — Elders neglected by their children have the legal right to claim maintenance under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000. Apply via our DS office. Note: Parents under 60 suffering from physical or mental disabilities are also eligible to apply.
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Home Care Services — Professionally trained home care workers are accessible through the National Secretariat for Elders at a highly subsidized cost (approximately Rs. 750 per 8-hour shift). Speak to our desk for a referral.
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Divisional Elders' Committee — Mulatiyana DS hosts an active Divisional Elders' Committee supported by a state grant of Rs. 5,000. Village-level GN Elders' Committees are also supported. If your area lacks a committee, consult your GN to establish one.
- NIC explicitly confirming age 60 or above
- Birth certificate (required if the NIC age indicator is ambiguous)
- One recent passport-size photograph
- Application forms are readily obtainable from the GN office, this DS office, or the National Secretariat for Elders
Governed by the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 9 of 2000, children who knowingly neglect their elderly parents can be formally brought before the Maintenance Board and mandated to provide financial support. Furthermore, all care-providing organisations must be officially registered. If you know a vulnerable elder without family support in your community, please contact this office to secure a referral to the Wedihiti Awarana sponsorship scheme.
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Monthly Living Allowance (NSPD) — Rs. 10,000/month (raised to Rs. 10,000 from April 2025). This essential programme, expanding to 72,000 beneficiaries, is efficiently administered through the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD). Ensure you apply with a firm DS recommendation.
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Assistive Devices — critical aids such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles, and crutches are distributed subject to inventory and valid medical certification. Processing mandates a DS recommendation and a government medical certificate. The maximum allocated value is Rs. 10,000 per device.
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Self-Employment Grants — low-income individuals with disabilities (earning below Rs. 6,000/month) may request a targeted seed grant to launch a self-employment initiative. Submit a structured business estimate at Mulatiyana DS to gain the mandatory recommendation.
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Vocational Training — the Department of Social Services alongside NSPD coordinates robust, free vocational training programmes at provincial centres tailored for youth with disabilities. Speak to the Social Welfare counter here for seamless registration.
- Medical certificate from a reputable government hospital explicitly confirming the disability status
- NIC of the applicant
- DS recommendation letter — promptly processed at our Social Welfare counter
- For living allowance: accurate Grama Niladhari certification reflecting household income
- For devices: an official doctor's prescription detailing the necessary equipment
- For self-employment grants: a concise written business plan / estimate
- Disability Identity Card generated by NSPD (if already registered)
The Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996 dictates that all public buildings must be fully accessible. Workplaces with over 25 employees are required to allocate at least 1% of positions to persons with disabilities. The DS recommendation acts as the primary gateway for almost all disability benefits — ensure you visit the Social Welfare counter here before progressing to provincial or national headquarters. Note: The NSPD living allowance operates independently from the Aswesuma disability top-up; applicants may qualify for both concurrently.
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Contagious / Serious Disease Assistance — crucial financial aid for families heavily reliant on a breadwinner suffering from Tuberculosis (TB), Leprosy, or Cancer. Requires a verified medical certificate from a government hospital coupled with GN confirmation of severe financial hardship.
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD / CKDU) — patients facing CKD of unknown etiology are allocated a specialized Rs. 5,000/month allowance via the Aswesuma scheme. This support remains active through December 2025. Applications are logged at the Social Welfare counter via a formal hospital confirmation letter.
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Casual Relief (House Fire / Flood / Disaster) — immediate one-time grants aimed at families whose primary residences have suffered catastrophic damage due to fire, flood, or unforeseen disasters. The GN files an urgent situation report, and funds are rapidly disbursed through this office upon DS approval.
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Cataract Lens Assistance — heavily subsidized aid for low-income senior citizens requiring Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) surgery. To apply, patients must demonstrate a monthly income below Rs. 3,000 and present a valid prescription from a designated government Eye Surgeon.
- For disease assistance: a formal medical certificate from a government hospital verifying a TB, Leprosy, Cancer, or CKD diagnosis
- A comprehensive Grama Niladhari report detailing the family’s socioeconomic situation
- NIC of the patient or the affected family representative
- For house fire / disaster relief: an immediate GN situation report documenting the extent of damage
- For cataract assistance: an official prescription from a government Eye Surgeon validating the IOL requirement
Casual relief funds are strictly limited and managed on an annual budget. It is imperative to apply as soon as possible following any adverse event — heavily delayed applications run the risk of falling outside the current year's fiscal constraints. Ensure the GN situation report is filed within the very first week of the incident.
The Sri Lanka Social Security Board (SLSSB), mandated by Act No. 17 of 1996, provides dependable pension and social security frameworks for citizens outside standard government pension coverage. Enroll seamlessly at this DS office, any GN office, or at your closest SLSSB district branch. Explore options further at ssb.gov.lk.
🧑 Surekuma
Designed for individuals aged 18–59. Flexibility to choose your pension amount and payment duration. Guaranteed payouts begin at age 60. This is the most popular and adaptable scheme.
👶 Arassawa
Tailored for children under 18, utilizing guardian contributions. The account automatically transitions into a Surekuma plan at age 18 — an excellent strategy for early retirement planning.
🎨 Kalakaru
Specifically crafted for artists aged 23–55. Offers a customizable pension package plus a Rs. 50,000 fixed deposit payout synchronized with the very first pension installment.
✈️ Vigamanika
Built for migrant workers aged 18–59. Offers tailored payment structures to match employment duration abroad. Standard pension benefits commence upon turning 60.
⛵ Seafarers Scheme
Dedicated social security framework crafted specifically for maritime professionals operating under Sri Lanka's Maritime Labour Convention and Merchant Shipping Act guidelines.
🧑🌾 Farmers & Self-Employed
Ensures that farmers, fishermen, and the self-employed can comfortably enroll in Surekuma, using flexible contribution schedules tailored for those managing irregular income cycles.
Obtaining an SLSSB membership is straightforward — apply here at Mulatiyana DS, at your local GN office, or via the SLSSB district hub. With highly flexible and remarkably affordable contribution options, it bridges the gap for many self-employed residents currently lacking pension coverage. Initiating a Surekuma account today, even with minimal deposits, is a vital step toward securing a stable income post-60.
Social Welfare Help Desk
Please bring your NIC and a Grama Niladhari certificate when visiting for any welfare inquiry. We are here to guide you directly to the correct assistance programme.
