The government has pledged US$100 to households for each month the country is under a state of emergency.

The income subsidy payment, which is expected to be given to 326,739 households, is the centrepiece of financial support pledged by the government as the pandemic closes businesses and leaves many unemployed.

Citing issues with “data”, the Director General for Ministry for Social Solidarity and Rui Exposto Gaga said he could not confirm when payments will be made.

"MSS has elaborate all household data and has submitted the proposal to Ministry of Finance to transfer money to MSS's account after that we will pay the subsidy,” Gaga told reporters.

Timorese citizens studying abroad will be eligible for the payment, Timor-Leste’s Secretary of State for Communication Mericio Juvinal Akara said in National Parliament  Tuesday.