Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud today announced that all persons living with permanent disabilities as well as those with HIV and cancer patients will now benefit from lifetime public assistance.
“All persons, all living with permanent disabilities will be able to access public assistance without any need to qualify…. So whether you are a child or an adult, its covers the entire spectrum of disability, physical and mental as well…..That public assistance will be provided to them for the rest of their lives,” Persaud said during an engagement with the media at the commissioning of the refurbished Night Shelter at East La Penitence, Georgetown.
The new relief measure takes effect immediately and will also be accessible to persons living with HIV and cancer, she added.
According to Persaud, persons are no longer required to go before the Local Board of Guardians before they can access public assistance. “It’s automatic. All they have to do it to register with the National Commission of Disability and the Ministry provide their application and they are onto the public assistance register,” she said.
She explained that once registered, a medical report establishing the disability will only be required once, from any private doctor or one from the public system. “They do not need to be subjected to any other medical or any other tests going forward,” Persaud stated.
The announcement will be communicated to all officers and doctors will be present at registration sites across the country to conduct on the spot assessments, Persaud said.
“This is something that’s been very, very close to my heart and it really puts much into the hands of persons who are living with disabilities. Of course, we would like to put much more, but this is a step,” she said.
Additionally, Persaud revealed that a three-person board will review the process for persons who believe that they were treated “unfairly” or didn’t have a “proper” assessment done.
The Board comprises Raiza Khan, Azeena Baksh and Ariana Mangar. “They will review any claim that is made by a person living with disability so we can ensure all persons living with disabilities benefit from public assistance,” Persaud said.
Just recently, President Irfaan Ali announced that children living with disabilities will benefit from a $100,000 cash grant and other key interventions to assist them.
Prior to this, the Office of the First Lady, Arya Ali had announced that she was able to raise just over $13 million through a recently-held fundraiser which will be used to begin the setting up of a business centre for Persons with Disabilities in Region Six.
In addition, Persaud also said that the ministry will be providing free support aids and training for persons living with disabilities.
A pampers bank will also be launched for children and adults who are in need of pampers, and it will be provided free of cost, she added.
