-eligible postpaid customers to receive direct bill credits, prepaid users to access it through prepaid system
THOUSANDS of pensioners across Guyana will receive a $30,000 credit on their electricity accounts this month as the Government of Guyana moves to implement its 2026 electricity subsidy programme for senior citizens.
Speaking on the move, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud on Thursday announced that eligible pensioners will see the subsidy reflected on their June 2026 Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) bills. An initiative that has been a goal of the ministry for quite some time, the subsidy will benefit more than 70,000 pensioners nationwide.
Making the announcement via a social media post on Thursday morning, Minister Persaud noted that pensioners and their families, could look forward to the subsidy reflected on this month’s bill. As she stated during the public update, “On your June bill, you will see the credits to the value of $30,000 featured on your GPL bill.”
She went on to explain that the subsidy applies to pensioners who have a GPL account registered in their name, adding, “To benefit from this, you have to be a pensioner who owns the meter or has a GPL account. If you do not have a GPL account, then this does not apply to you,” she stated.
The Guyana Power and Light Inc. has begun applying the government’s $30,000 electricity subsidy to the light bills of eligible pensioners
According to the minister, pensioners who do not see the credit reflected on their June bill should visit their nearest GPL office to have the matter investigated and corrected.
“Once you are a pensioner and you have a GPL account, that $30,000 credit will be seen on your June 2026 bill. Now, if perchance you look at your June 2026 bill and you do not see the credits to the value of $30,000, you can go in to your nearest GPL office and query it, and have it rectified,” Minister Persaud said.
The minister also reminded pensioners that the government’s water subsidy is already being applied to eligible accounts. “With regard to the water subsidy,” she said, “that is already being credited to your water bill. So, check back your water bill, and you will see those credits applied to your water bill.”
GPL subsequently confirmed the implementation arrangements for the subsidy, noting that both postpaid and prepaid customers will benefit. In a statement released on Thursday, the utility company advised that eligible postpaid customers would see the subsidy reflected as a credit on their June 2026 electricity bill. For eligible prepaid customers, the subsidy will be placed in their prepaid wallet and can be accessed through GPL’s commercial offices, with the statement noting, “The annual subsidy of G$30,000 forms part of the government of Guyana’s continued commitment to improving the welfare and quality of life of senior citizens.” The company said the initiative helps offset electricity costs, and provides meaningful financial relief to pensioners while improving the affordability of an essential service.
The utility company also reaffirmed its support for the programme, noting that it continues to provide tangible benefits to senior citizens by easing the burden of electricity expenses and contributing to their overall well-being. The electricity subsidy forms part of a broader package of measures implemented by the government to support elderly citizens.
In Budget 2026, approximately $942 million was allocated to fund the annual electricity subsidy programme for pensioners. The initiative complements a range of benefits aimed at improving the quality of life of senior citizens, including increases in old-age pension payments, transportation assistance, and water subsidies.
Government officials have noted that the initiative forms part of a wider effort to strengthen social protection systems and reduce the financial burden faced by vulnerable groups, particularly senior citizens living on fixed incomes.
With GPL now commencing the nationwide roll out of this subsidy, eligible pensioners are expected to begin seeing the benefits reflected on their June electricity bills, providing additional financial relief as part of the government’s ongoing support push for Guyana’s elderly population.
