THE Human Services and Social Security Ministry will commence its annual pension books distribution programme in November, a process that the ministry is constantly striving to make more efficient.

“We are looking at improving how we distribute our pension books and the entire operation as it relates to the payment of pensions and public assistance, which is normally done through the post office,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster said.
Pension books are printed and distributed on an annual basis throughout the ten administrative regions at locations nearest to beneficiaries’ homes.
At present, there are 42,000 pensioners and over 9,000 public assistance beneficiaries.
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, the elderly and the less fortunate.
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.
In 2011, 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.
With effect from May, 42,000 pensioners began receiving an increase of 33.33 percent or $10,000 monthly, prior to the $7500 they were receiving.
Additionally, other support services are provided to pensioners including subsidies on water payments and medical care, while they continue to benefit from free travel on public vessels.
Public assistance recipients, with effect from May 1, began receiving $5,900 per month, more than double what was being paid just five years ago.