THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has announced that the distribution of pension books will commence next month.As such, pensioners are asked to pay close attention to the various distribution centres throughout the country.
The Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, said that they are currently reviewing the process whereby pensioners are forced to wait for lengthy periods before they are able to uplift their pension books.

INCREASE IN PENSIONERS
The year 2014 has seen an increase in the number of persons who have attained the age of 65, so the pensioners’ database and listing have exceeded 3000.
However in the 2014 budget, 42,000 people were added and are currently accessing the old age pension scheme.
The services provided across the country, such as improved health care, have enabled people to live longer in Guyana. The life- expectancy rate in Guyana has therefore increased, hence the presence of additional pensioners on the list this year.

OTHER SUPPORT
Additionally, with the electricity subsidy which requires the criteria of ownership of a meter which entails at the pensioners must own the property they live in, and the meter must be in his or her name. However, this year has seen an increased subsidy of $30,000 per annum, while a latter of 8128 pensioners who have received that subsidy of $30,000, which was administered in July.
Additionally the ministry supports pensioners with a water subsidy which entails the same criteria as electricity; Georgetown users receive a subsidy of $11,980 while rural areas would receive a latter of $ 8,864.

FUTURE PLANS
The ministry at present is planning to host an interactive session with senior citizens during October. The aim of this session is to get the involvement of senior citizens and a panel discussions for the setting of laws that will aid in the drafting of laws for the protection of the elderly.
The Minister noted that it is “something that is really necessary in our society, because almost every day on a daily basis now there are complaints of the elderly persons in our environment being victims of abuse of some form or the other, either at the hands of their family members or persons that they do not know.”
Miss Webster also said that there is segregation as it relates to public transportation, and pensioners suffer discrimination on a daily basis. They are often denied entry on buses by operators.
The minister expressed satisfaction at having the press on board in its advocacy for the protection of the elderly, especially those who would have contributed to Guyana’s development.