In a heartening move, President Irfaan Ali has announced a $25,000 one-off grant for Old Age Pensioners, injecting approximately $1.8 billion into the hands of 72,000 pensioners in December.
The announcement was well-received, and pensioners are expressing their gratitude for the economic relief.
Bibi Rampersaud, while uplifting her 2024 pension book at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in South Amelia’s ward, shared her happiness about the one-off grant, describing President Irfaan Ali as a “loving and kind president.”
Ester Braithwaite, another pensioner, expressed her joy, emphasizing that the additional funds would be beneficial for covering expenses like the water bill.
Last year, pensioners received a one-off bonus of $28,000, and in 2023, pensions were increased from $28,000 to $33,000.
While some pensioners were hoping for a larger amount, they expressed contentment with the grant.
Edward Duke, a pensioner, remarked that while $25,000 is nice, he believed $50,000 would have been even better.
Additionally, differently-abled individuals or those receiving disability on the Public Register will receive a $35,000 one-off bonus in December.
This bonus will benefit 19,000 persons at a cost of $660 million.
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection is facilitating the distribution drive across the region to ensure that the one-off grants reach the intended beneficiaries.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to provide economic support and relief to vulnerable populations, particularly senior citizens and differently-abled individuals.
Reported by Shawnette Fiedtkou for NCN News