GOVT LAUNCHES Child Wellbeing Benefits Program

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 31 July 2026 – The Prime Minister today launched the Government’s Child Wellbeing Benefits Program to improve the lives of children aged 0 to 35 months.

Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt emphasized that every child deserves love, protection, good food, and healthcare to grow well.

The Child Wellbeing Benefits program is one of the FAST Government’s major policies in its five-year manifesto and is administered by the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs to support children from birth until they turn three years old.

The government has allocated approximately $20 million tala for this initiative.

Prime Minister said the program is not just about money, but it’s about safeguarding the health and safety of newborns and young children.

Some of the guests at the official launch the Child Wellbeing Benefit Program this morning.

La’auli expressed concerns about the safety of children from one to three years old, including those at the Samoa Victim Support Group, being abandoned, abused and or harmed and suffering violence within their own homes.

Under the Child Wellbeing Benefits program, children born from 2 July 2023, must be Samoan citizens and have completed their one-month immunization checks to qualify for the benefits.

Children born from 01 July 2026 onwards are eligible for a $200 Baby Bonus Payment.

To continue receiving benefits, children must meet the following four health milestones, each tied to immunization checks:

• At 1 month: Receive $100, provide a birth certificate, and complete Hepatitis B immunization.
• At 9 months: Receive $100, and complete immunizations at 6 weeks and 14 weeks.
• At 20 months: Complete immunizations at 12 and 15 months to continue receiving $100.
• At 30 months: Have an immunization check and receive $100.

The Ministry of Family and Social Affairs made it clear that children who have not completed their immunizations will not receive the $100 benefit.

Registration for the program opens from 21 September to 30 November 2026. Children registered by November 30 will receive backdated payments starting from 01 July 2026.