Published 28 August 2025
SOCIAL SUPPORT SCHEME: FAQs
Table of Contents
What is the RMI Social Support Scheme (SSS)?
The RMI SSS is a non-contributory pension and disability support scheme to provide basic income support for eligible retirement age resident citizens and persons with disabilities who are not currently receiving any retirement or disability income benefits from the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration or any other retirement, pension, or disability program elsewhere.
This program was introduced as Nitijela Bill No. 105 and was passed by the Nitijela as Public Law No. 105 P.L.2023-93 on September 28, 2023, during its 44th Constitutional Regular Session.
Who are qualified under this program?
To be eligible for the non-contributory pension scheme, beneficiaries must meet the following criteria:
- Age: must be at least 60 years of age
- Citizenship: must be a citizen of the RMI
- Residency: must be a resident of the RMI at least one (1) year concurrently prior to registration and benefitting from the scheme
- Non-duplication of benefits: must not be a recipient of any MISSA retirement related benefit or any other retirement or pension program in the RMI or any other jurisdiction.
To be eligible for the disability scheme, beneficiaries must meet the following criteria:
- Age: no age limit, people of all ages are eligible;
- Citizenship: must be a citizen of the RMI
- Residency: must be a resident of the RMI at least one (1) year concurrently prior to registration and benefitting from the scheme; Other than children, eligibility will commence upon certification by a medical physician.
- Non-duplication of benefits: must not be a recipient of any MISSA disability related benefit or any other retirement or pension program in the RMI or any other jurisdiction.
Can a disabled person below the age of 60 years still qualify under the disability scheme?
Yes, as long as a medical doctor from the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) or Dr. Piñano, MISSA’s designated medical examiner, has examined and certified that the person is really disabled.
What is a person with disability?
Under the Social Security Act of 1990, as amended, “disability” is defined as the inability of a person to engage in the continued performance of his/her duties by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
Will an individual suffering from diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart condition, tuberculosis, high cholesterol or arthritis qualify for benefits under the program?
As a general rule, persons who are under 60 years of age and suffering from any of the above-mentioned ailments, are still considered to have the ability to engage in gainful employment or self-employment. Therefore, they are not eligible to the disability scheme.
Who can certify that a person has a disability?
- Disabled residents of Majuro, Ebeye and outer islands with assigned physicians in their respective localities, will need to be physically/medically examined by doctors working for MoHHS or Dr. Alexander Pinano, MISSA’s designated Medical Examiner. The examination process and form to be used will be the same process and form used by MISSA when processing application for disability benefits.
- If the atoll or island where the disabled individual is permanently residing has no designated medical officer(s) from MoHHS and is unable to travel to Ebeye or Majuro due to valid reasons, at least 3 most recent pictures (soft copies are acceptable) should be provided to MISSA and Dr. Pinano, MISSA’s Medical Officer, will determine whether the applicant is eligible for benefits under the SSS scheme.
How is registration done?
- The applicant must first complete the “Application for Social Support” form (No. SSS-100) which will be made available at MISSA’s offices on Majuro and Ebeye, or maybe downloaded from its website, rmimissa.org.
- To prove the applicant’s citizenship and age, the following must be submitted to MISSA:
- Live birth certificate; and
- RMI social security number; and
- RMI government issued identification card (i.e. valid driver’s license, or national ID or RMI passport);
- Furthermore, the applicant must have either a savings or checking account with a local bank (for direct remittance of the money). In case the applicant is incapable of opening a bank account due to mental illness, being “too old” to walk, impaired vision or any serious medical condition that prevents the individual to go the bank in person, MISSA may allow an immediate family member or appointed guardian to open his or her own account with a local bank on behalf of the beneficiary. In this case, at least two immediate family members must sign a joint affidavit under oath and notarized, or a special power of attorney, authorizing the guardian to act on behalf of the disabled beneficiary.
- Disabled applicants are required to undergo a medical evaluation by medical doctor working for MoHHS or Dr. Alexander Pinano, MISSA’s designated Medical Examiner.
When will distribution start?
Distribution shall start in October 2025, the start of FY 2026.
What are the criteria for the discontinuation, revocation and reinstatement of benefits?
- Except where the recipient is travelling abroad temporally on Government managed medical referral, the benefits will be discontinued if the recipient is absent from the RMI for more than one month. The benefit will be reinstated upon the recipient’s return to the RMI, and reporting to MISSA of his or her presence in the RMI and fill the form for reinstatement.
- In case where the recipient had departed the RMI for aboard for at least six (6) months, and has not returned to the RMI after six (6) months, MISSA may revoke or cease the benefit unless reported to have left the RMI for Government managed medical referral.
- MISSA may consider reinstating the benefit if the recipient has returned to the RMI and underwent the reinstatement application process as practiced by MISSA in Section 142 of the Social Security Act 1990 for payments to non-citizen recipients overseas.
How much will each eligible recipient receive every month?
Each eligible beneficiary shall receive a monthly benefit of $100 during the three-year pilot phase.
- Payments shall be made through direct deposit or designated payment centers at the end of each month.
- Beneficiaries shall be required to update their records annually to MISSA.
- Upon completion of the pilot phase, benefit levels shall be reviewed and may be adjusted based on inflation rates and fiscal considerations.
- Adjustments may be proposed by the MISSA board and approved by the Cabinet.
How will the beneficiary receive the money?
The monthly distribution of benefits shall be made by direct deposit to the beneficiary’s designated bank account. No cash payment will be allowed.
Who will administer the program?
MISSA is the designated administrator of the scheme.
- A portion of the scheme’s annual budget shall be allocated for reasonable administrative expenses by MISSA, subject to approval by the MISSA board.
- MISSA shall monitor benefit disbursement on a regular basis to prevent any duplication of benefits.
- MISSA shall submit an annual and financial report to the Cabinet and Nitijela detailing the following:
- Reasonable administrative costs and expenses
- Beneficiary disbursement statistics
- Financial status of the scheme
- Implementation challenges and recommendations
The scheme shall be subject to an annual audit by an independent accounting firm accredited in the RMI as part of MISSS’s oversight. Audit results shall be published and presented by MISSA management to the Board, Cabinet and Nitijela.