List of countries pay social grants or social welfare

Governments typically provide social grants to support vulnerable individuals and groups such as the elderly, disabled, unemployed, and low-income families. Here’s a list of countries that have well-established social grant programs or social welfare systems, categorized by region:

Africa

South Africa Social Grants: 

Social grants include old age pensions, disability, child support, and foster care grants. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) administers each of these grants.

Old age pension: Established in the 1920s, this grant is the largest government expenditure on social assistance. 

• Disability grant: Provides financial support to people with disabilities. 
• Child support grant: Provides financial support to people with young children. 
• Foster care grant: Provides financial support to foster parents. 
• Other types of social grants include: War veterans grant, Care dependency grant, Grant-in-aid, and Social Relief of Distress.

Namibia Social Grants:

Offers old age pensions, disability grants, child maintenance, and foster care grants. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) administers each of these grants. Yes, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) in Namibia administers grants for old age pensions, disability grants, child maintenance, and foster care: 

• Disability grants: Provides financial support to Namibian children under 16 with disabilities. To qualify, children must meet certain criteria, including having a medical certificate from a state medical officer or doctor confirming disability. 
• Maintenance grants: Provides financial support for child care to parents of children under 18 whose spouse has died. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria, including proof of the spouse receiving a disability grant or an old age pension. 
• Foster care grants: Provides financial support for children in foster care. The grant is payable while the child remains in foster care in terms of a court order. 
• Old age pensions: Provides a monthly pension to all resident Namibian citizens above 60. The pension is funded by government taxation. 

Botswana Social Grants:

Provides old-age pensions, disability benefits, and orphan care programs. Botswana offers a comprehensive social safety net, including universal old-age pensions for citizens aged 65 and above, disability benefits (which may be means-tested), and programs specifically designed to care for orphans, making it one of the countries in Africa with extensive social protection initiatives. 

Key points about Botswana's social programs: 

• Old-age pension: This is a universal benefit, meaning all citizens over 65 receive a monthly pension regardless of income level. 
• Disability benefits: While details vary, Botswana generally provides disability benefits, potentially with means-testing to determine eligibility. 
• Orphan care programs: The government runs programs specifically supporting orphaned children. 

Lesotho Social Grants:

Offers an old age pension. Yes, Lesotho offers an old age pension (OAP) to eligible citizens: 

• Eligibility: All citizens over 70 years old, except for retired civil servants and war veterans 
• Benefit: A monthly pension of 550 Lesotho Maloti (LSL), which is about US$40 
• Benefits for household members: The OAP is non-contributory and also benefits other household members, especially children. 
• Goal: The OAP was introduced in 2004 to improve the quality of life of the elderly population 

The OAP is paid monthly at a preferred payment point across the country. The army carries the funds to the payment points, usually in national post buildings. Beneficiaries are identified and verified using their identity card and signature or thumbprint. 

Lesotho also has a policy for older persons that promotes:

• Food and nutrition security
• Family and community care
• Accessibility for older persons
• Safe and age-friendly housing
• Disaster awareness and preparedness
• Protection of the fundamental rights of older persons
• Education and sensitization of the general public on aging 

Kenya Social Grants:

Has programs like the Hunger Safety Net Programme and the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme. Yes, Kenya does have programs like the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) and the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme (OPCT), both of which fall under the country's National Safety Net Programme (NSNP) that aims to provide cash transfers to vulnerable populations including orphans, the elderly, and people with severe disabilities. 

Key points about these programs: 

• HSNP: Focuses on providing cash assistance to households in arid and semi-arid regions particularly vulnerable to hunger during droughts. 
• OPCT: Targets elderly individuals, usually aged 65 and above, from the poorest households. 
• NSNP: The overarching program that encompasses both the HSNP, OPCT, and other cash transfer programs for specific vulnerable groups. 

Nigeria Social Grants :

Introduced conditional cash transfer programs for the poor and vulnerable. In Nigeria, the "Household Uplifting Programme-Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT)" is the primary program used to provide conditional cash transfers to poor and vulnerable populations, implemented by the Federal Government as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) in partnership with the World Bank; this program aims to improve household consumption, health access, education enrollment, and overall well-being by providing cash transfers with conditions attached, like sending children to school and attending health checkups. 

Key points about the Nigerian conditional cash transfer program: 

• Name: Household Uplifting Programme-Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT) 
• Implementing body: National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) under the NASSP 
• Objectives: Improve household consumption, healthcare utilization, school attendance, and access to basic needs 
• Target population: Poor and vulnerable households identified through the National Social Register (NSR) 
• Conditions for receiving cash: Meeting specific requirements like enrolling children in school and attending health checkups 

Ghana Social Grants

Operates the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program. LEAP) programme provides cash and health insurance to extremely poor households across Ghana to alleviate short-term poverty and encourage long term human capital development.

There are a number of social grant programs in Ghana, including: 

• Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program: This program provides grants to non-profit organizations, NGOs, and community associations to improve community living conditions. Projects must be community-based, sustainable, and completed within one year. 
• USAID/Ghana: Youth Empowerment Grant: This grant supports locally-led programs that aim to improve the social, economic, and civic development of Ghanaian youth. 
• Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF): This fund provides grants to Ghanaian CSOs to help them build networks and promote awareness campaigns, economic empowerment, and conflict resolution. 
• U.S. Embassy in Ghana Public Diplomacy Section (PDS): This program provides grants to organizations that promote transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in Ghana. 
• Ghana Somubi Dwumadie: This program provides COVID-19 resilience grants. 
• NAWA's Humanitarian Projects: This program provides grants to support projects such as installing boreholes in schools and raising awareness about recycling. 
• Fund for Social Development: This program provides grants, scholarships, and other resources to NGOs in Ghana. 

Zambia Social Grants:

The government operates the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Program for the elderly and vulnerable households. This program provides financial assistance to elderly and vulnerable households and aims to reduce extreme poverty and the intergenerational transfer of poverty; it is implemented by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. 

Key points about Zambia's Social Cash Transfer Program: 

• Focus on vulnerable groups: The SCT specifically targets households considered extremely poor and incapacitated, including elderly individuals. 
• Implementation body: The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services oversees the program. 
• Payment structure: Beneficiaries receive a bimonthly cash transfer. 
• Origin: The SCT started as a pilot project in the Kalomo district in 2003. 

Tanzania Social Grants:

Has social welfare programs like the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) to reduce poverty. Yes, Tanzania does have a social welfare program called the "Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN)" which aims to reduce poverty by providing conditional cash transfers and public works opportunities to extremely poor and vulnerable households, implemented through the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF). 

Key points about PSSN: 

• Focus on vulnerable groups: PSSN targets the poorest households, particularly those below the food poverty line, aiming to break the cycle of poverty through integrated interventions. 
• Combined approach: The program includes both conditional cash transfers (CCTs) and a labor-intensive public works component, allowing beneficiaries to earn additional income while contributing to community development. 
• Implementation body: The Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) is responsible for managing and delivering the PSSN program.

Uganda:

Runs programs like the Senior Citizens Grant for the elderly. Uganda's social grant program is called the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), which is part of the Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme: 

• SAGE: The Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) is a program that provides a social grant to older people in Uganda. The grant is called the Senior Citizens Grant and is paid to people aged 60 and older. 
• ESP: The Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme is a national social protection system that aims to benefit the poorest people in Uganda. The program was started in 2010 with support from UKAID and Irish Aid. The ESP Programme's objectives include developing a national social protection policy and piloting the SAGE program. 

Here are some details about the SAGE program: 

• The program is implemented by the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD). 
• The program is delivered through the ESP Programme Management Unit (PMU). 
• The program provides regular and reliable payments to beneficiaries. 
• The program aims to ensure that the poorest people in Uganda benefit from a national social protection system. 

Rwanda: Operates the Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP), which includes social protection measures. Rwanda has a number of social protection programs that provide cash transfers, services, and other support to vulnerable households: 

• Vision Umurenge Program (VUP): A flagship program that provides direct support to extremely poor households. VUP offers cash transfers, public works, and sustainable livelihood programs. 
• Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB): Provides six schemes, including a pension scheme, maternity leave scheme, and medical scheme. RSSB's contributory schemes are only available to formal workers, which is less than 10% of the population. 
• EjoHeza: A long-term saving scheme that is available to the entire population. 
• Spark Microgrants: A program that provides small grants to help people start businesses or improve their existing businesses. 

The Government of Rwanda has also received support from other organizations to strengthen its social protection programs, including: 

• The World Bank: Has invested over $850 million to support Rwanda's social protection initiatives. 
• The German Development Bank (KfW): Has provided grants to help enhance Rwanda's social protection programs. 
• The European Union (EU): Has provided grants to support social protection in Rwanda, including grants to civil society organizations. 
• Rwanda's social protection system uses the Imibereho Dynamic Social Registry to identify the poor and vulnerable. 

Europe

United Kingdom: Provides various social benefits like pensions, jobseeker’s allowance, housing benefits, and disability benefits.

• Universal Credit: A monthly payment for individuals or families who are on low income or unemployed.
• Housing Benefit: Helps with paying rent for those on low income or benefits.
• State Pension: A regular payment for individuals who reach state pension age and have paid National Insurance contributions.
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA): Provides financial support to those actively seeking work.

Germany: Offers unemployment benefits, child support, pensions, and social welfare for low-income individuals.
France: Has a wide range of social grants, including family benefits, unemployment benefits, housing allowances, and pensions.
Sweden: Offers social insurance benefits, child support, unemployment benefits, and elderly pensions.

• Universal Healthcare: Sweden provides healthcare for all citizens, funded through taxes.
• Unemployment Insurance (A-kassa): Offers financial aid to unemployed workers.
• Parental Leave: Extensive paid parental leave for both parents (480 days combined).
• Child Allowance (Barnbidrag): Financial aid for families with children under 16.

Netherlands: Provides social security programs for unemployment, disability, and child benefits.

Norway: Has a comprehensive welfare state that includes pensions, unemployment benefits, and disability support.
Denmark: Offers a strong social safety net, including unemployment benefits, child support, and pensions.
Spain: Provides unemployment benefits, pensions, and family support.
Italy: Offers pensions, unemployment benefits, and various family allowances.
Finland: Provides social security benefits like unemployment support, pensions, and child benefits.

Asia

1. India: Provides social grants through programs like the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which includes pensions for the elderly, disabled, and widows.
2. China: Has established basic social security systems including pensions, unemployment insurance, and medical insurance.
3. Japan: Provides a range of social security benefits like pensions, healthcare, and unemployment insurance.
4. South Korea: Offers various social benefits including national pensions, unemployment insurance, and basic livelihood security.
5. Bangladesh: Operates safety net programs like old age pensions, disability benefits, and widows’ allowances.
6. Philippines: Has social protection programs including pensions, disability benefits, and conditional cash transfers under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

North America

United States: Provides social security (old age, survivors, and disability insurance), unemployment benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and welfare programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

• Social Security: A federal program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Commonly known as food stamps, this program provides food-purchasing assistance.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Provides financial aid to families with dependent children.

Canada: Offers social programs like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (EI), and various child benefits.

• Old Age Security (OAS): A pension paid to Canadian citizens and legal residents over 65 years of age.
• Employment Insurance (EI): Provides temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers, sick workers, or those on maternity/paternity leave.
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB): A tax-free monthly payment for families with children under the age of 18.
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): Additional benefits for low-income OAS recipients.

Mexico: Operates programs like Prospera, which provides financial assistance to families in poverty, and pensions for seniors.
Costa Rica: Provides pensions, disability grants, and poverty alleviation programs.
Panama: Offers pensions, disability support, and conditional cash transfers for the poor.

South America

Brazil: Operates the Bolsa Família program for low-income families and social security programs like pensions and unemployment benefits.

• Bolsa Família: A conditional cash transfer program for low-income families, aimed at improving education and health outcomes.
• Unemployment Insurance (Seguro-Desemprego): Financial support for unemployed workers.
• Retirement Pension: A public pension system that provides financial security to elderly citizens.
• Continuous Cash Benefit Program (BPC): A benefit paid to elderly individuals and people with disabilities in low-income families.

Argentina: Provides a variety of social security programs including family allowances, pensions, and unemployment benefits.
Chile: Offers pensions, unemployment insurance, and social security benefits for low-income families.
Uruguay: Provides pensions, unemployment insurance, and social welfare benefits.
Colombia: Operates programs like Familias en Acción for low-income families and elderly pensions.
Peru: Offers social programs like Pensión 65 for elderly citizens in poverty and conditional cash transfers.

Oceania

1. Australia: Has a comprehensive welfare system that includes pensions, unemployment benefits, disability support, and family assistance.
• Centrelink Payments: Includes a variety of benefits such as JobSeeker Payment (for unemployed individuals), Parenting Payment (for primary caregivers), and Disability Support Pension.
• Family Tax Benefit: Helps families with the cost of raising children.
• Age Pension: Financial support for citizens aged 66 and over, subject to income and assets tests.
• Medicare: Provides universal healthcare coverage, offering free or subsidized healthcare services.
2. New Zealand: Provides pensions, unemployment benefits, disability support, and working family tax credits. New Zealand's welfare system provides pensions, unemployment benefits, disability support, and working family tax credits:
• New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super): A pension for people aged 65 and older
• Jobseeker Support: For unemployed people aged 18 and older who are looking for work
• Child Disability Allowance: For people who provide full-time care for a child or young person with a disability
• Supported Living Payment: For people who are unable to work due to disability, or who provide full-time care for someone with a disability
• Family tax credit: A working family tax credit
• Accommodation Supplement payments: A housing support payment
• Council Rates rebates: A housing support payment
• Public housing: A housing support option 

Middle East

1. Israel: Offers pensions, unemployment benefits, disability allowances, and child benefits.
2. Saudi Arabia: Provides social welfare support for low-income citizens, including pensions for the elderly and disability benefits.
3. United Arab Emirates: Offers social welfare programs for low-income citizens, including pensions and family support.

Conclusion

Most countries provide some form of social grants or welfare programs, though the structure and extent of these benefits vary widely. High-income countries often have more comprehensive social security systems, while middle- and low-income countries tend to focus on specific vulnerable populations.