–with new, efficient pension delivery services

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is launching a sensitisation programme to apprise pensioners of hassle-free options to access their pensions.
This initiative is another step towards fulfilling a commitment made by Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, to improve pension delivery and increase the options for senior citizens to receive their pension. In order to kick-start the educational drive, the ministry will be hosting weekly, live question and answer (Q&A) sessions on the its Facebook page every Thursday at 9:00 hours, from April 22, 2021, to respond to all pension-related concerns. Persons from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will appear as guests on a number of radio stations to discuss pension-related matters, including the two new options the ministry has introduced this year to supplement the post office system and allow ease of collecting pensions.
According to the ministry, pension vouchers could now be redeemed at any of the Western Union or MoneyGram locations in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), in addition to the post offices countrywide.

“Pension vouchers can be encashed at these locations throughout the month and not only during the first week of the month. They can avoid lines and crowds by using any of the new options as we work to improve pension delivery,” Minister Persaud stated. In addition to money transfer agents being able to cash pension vouchers, banks will facilitate pensions being deposited in pensioners’ accounts within the first five days of each month, with no taxes being deducted. While this is the case, however, pensioners utilising the banking system must deposit their “Life Certificates” at all Ministry of Human Services and Social Security locations every quarter, to continue receiving bank payments. Life Certificates must be signed and stamped by either a Justice of the Peace, notary public, Commissioner of Oaths, medical practitioner, head teacher, Minister of Religion or a manager of a bank or a branch of a bank. The mnistry also provides direct payment service to pensioners who live in remote communities. Pensioners in more than 40 remote communities, notably in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine already benefit from this service. For optimum service in view of logistics, these direct payments will be made every six months. The direct payment service option is also available to pensioners, who qualify for the ministry’s shut-in services. Persons who have serious mobility issues, visual impairment or are bedridden will be eligible to have their pension delivered directly to their homes. The ministry has established a register to facilitate this option, and once the information provided is verified, direct payment will commence.

To date, the ministry has facilitated over 3,459 pensioners via the shut-in system, throughout the 10 administrative regions. To qualify for the pension bank deposits or shut-in delivery systems, pensioners must apply. All pension application approval processes will be within three weeks from the time of submission of the application form. In an effort to simplify and expedite the processes, the ministry has dedicated special lines to facilitate all clarifications and queries. The numbers are as follows: Banking system 227-0130; new applications/shut-ins and remote services 623-177, 227-4410 or 225-6565 ext. 2301 and reporting of domestic and elderly abuse – 914. With over 58,000 pensioners benefitting from the Old Age Pension scheme managed by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, training is also a crucial element in the delivery of quality service. To this end, the ministry will continuously train its probation officers, who have to interact with pensioners. Further, policies will continue to be developed to bolster the efficiency of the pension systems, and constant review will be facilitated. “The Ministry of Human Services is very people oriented, and as such, our staff must be courteous and helpful at all times,” Minster Persaud reiterated.