Distribution of annual old age pension books started off smoothly in Region Five on Monday when recipients turned up at the Probation and Social Services Department in Fort Wellington.
Stabroek News understands that officers were at the Department from as early as 6.30 am to start the process. Francis Georges of Hopetown was the first pensioner to receive his book around 7 am. Officers are in various areas this week handing out the books.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the ministry has prepared over 42,000 pension books to ensure that beneficiaries get their 2014 books early.
In an invited comment, subject minister Jennifer Webster told GINA that the process has been moving apace across the regions. From all reports, pensioners have turned up in their numbers to receive the books and no hiccups have been reported. Webster also said that after the usual distribution exercise comes to a close, social workers will be visiting shut-ins to ensure that their books are delivered directly to them. This exercise will continue until December 13.
This year, persons over the age of 65, received a 25% increase in their pension amounting to $12,500. In 2012, beneficiaries got an increase by 33.33 per cent, amounting to $10,000 monthly. Prior to that, they had been receiving $7,500 per month.
Government has also introduced an electricity assistance subsidy for pensioners, which is intended to support them in a manner similar to that of the water subsidy where they benefit from an annual sum of $20,000 based on approximately 25 Kw hours of electricity. Pensioners also receive free spectacles under the eye care assistance programme.
