Dear Editor,
Further to the letter published on 30 January, 2024 in Stabroek News entitled “’Shut-in’ pensioner has not received cash grant and pension book for 2024”, the following was done: Numerous calls made to the Human Services & Social Security Ministry but the Social Worker (Ms. Springer) was not available. When she was finally contacted in early February, she told the caller to give the relevant information about the pensioner to the receptionist. This was done.
A message was sent to the Human Services & Social Security Ministry’s WhatsApp Number 6234710 but no response received (copy attached). On 6 March, 2024, a relative (who is also a pensioner and has a physical disability) visited the Human Services & Social Security Ministry’s Social Services Department on Water & Cornhill Streets. After waiting for about two hours, the relative was given the pension book but no cash grant. When asked, the Social Worker said that giving the cash grant was ‘closed’ for ‘shut-in’ pensioners. This is contrary to what I was told previously which is that giving out of the cash grant has no closing date for ‘shut-in’ pensioners.
A check of the Facebook page of the Human Services & Social Security Ministry shows that a lot of pensioners have not received their pension books or cash grant. I am very upset because the pension is my only source of income and getting it over two months late means I had to depend on others’ kindness for basic things like food and medication.
I again ask the Minister of Human Services & Social Security to consider giving pensioners a voucher instead of a cash grant. Can someone in authority answer the question: What has become of the cash grant which was approved in last year’s budget but which some persons including ‘shut-in’ pensioners have not received?
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Provided)
