THE Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security will commence distribution of old-age pensions and public assistance books today at locations nearest to beneficiaries’ homes. The process will be done from today until  November 18. The early distribution is part of continual efforts by the Government to improve the distribution system while continuing to focus on ways to further improve the quality of lives of vulnerable citizens, including children and the elderly.
The ministry has been advertising in the media the various locations where distribution will take place.
Pensioners are being reminded to take the necessary documents including their 2011 Public Assistance and old-age pension books along with their national identification cards or passports to the distribution centres.
Government’s commitment to the vulnerable has seen annual increases in both public assistance and old-age pensions.
In 2010, Government increased the sum for pensions from $3.3B to $3.5B which saw recipients receiving an increase from $6000, to $6600 monthly.
In addition, $645M was allocated for the Public Assistance programme, benefiting over 8500 people.
This year, Government allocated additional sums to the ministry in the national budget that saw more than 42,000 senior citizens receiving an increase from $6,600 to $7,500 a month.
Recipients of Public Assistance also received an increase from $4,900 to $5,500 per month.
In addition to annual increases, water payments for pensioners are also being subsidised. (GINA)