FNPF to provide assistance to members

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The Fiji National Provident Fund has re-activated the natural disaster partial withdrawal scheme for its members affected by floods in the Western Division.

The re-activation was approved by the FNPF board.
FNPF chief executive Aisake Taito said the board’s approval was based on humanitarian grounds to provide some relief to affected members.

“As a corporate citizen, the FNPF has a social responsibility to assist our members re-build their lives after the devastation of the flood,” Mr Taito said.

He said while the fund encouraged its members to save for retirement, it also had a responsibility to ensure members’ needs were met especially in times of natural disasters.

Mr Taito said FNPF would liaise with Government officials in the West to determine those to be assisted.
“Members’ applications would need to be verified by the district officers or delegated officials to ascertain damage to their properties.

“The verification process would also include an inspection by the team from the fund, who would be based in the flood affected areas,” he said.

Mr Taito however stressed they would accept any application for flood assistance at any of their branches or agencies.

“These applications will be received by our team who would be on-site at the areas designated as worst-affected.
“We have put in place checks and controls to help us determine the validity of the claims filed by members,” he said.

The key qualifiers under this scheme are:

Members should have partial withdrawal eligibility

Maximum allowed for withdrawal is $1000 per household

Members should reside in affected areas as defined by DISMAC

Mr Taito said in order to ease transport and other associated costs for members, the fund would be sending out teams to the affected areas.

He also revealed the $10 processing fee will be waived for those applying under this assistance.

Members applying for this assistance would need to:

Fully complete FNPF Partial application forms to be witnessed by the Commissioner Western or delegated officers.

Provide correct residential address for on-site inspection by FNPF officer(s).

Provide current personal bank account statement (one month validity).

Apart from the above, members could also apply for housing assistance under the normal guidelines.
The flood assistance applications will be accepted from February 8 to 21.