Human Services Ministry officers now back at regular locations

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry is on track with its countrywide distribution
exercise – having completed the bulk of work in all of the regions. The ministry said that it is
now arranging to assist persons who were unable to uplift the one-off $25,000 cash grant and
2022 pension booklets.
It said that it wishes to advise persons who were unable to make it during the nationwide
distribution that its officers will now be returning to the regular locations. This, the ministry said
it means that those who missed the exercise can turn up at their usual pension distribution site to
uplift the new book and voucher. It pointed out that vouchers can be cashed at any post office,
Sure Pay or MoneyGram, and the deadline for doing so is November 30, 2021. As such, the
Ministry is also advising persons to visit their regular sites for queries regarding permanently
disabled people and public assistance (both economical and medical) for the year 2021.
Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud has said that the exercise was a massive undertaking that by and
large went well with the support of the volunteers, community and regional representatives. “Our
small staff complement was deployed across regions to ensure that the exercise was efficient and
easily accessible. Where there were glitches in the exercise, every effort was made to rectify
them. But it is remarkable that most persons would have already benefited from the voucher and
2022 book in one month,” Minister Persaud said.

Dr. Persaud stressed that for those who have not gotten theirs as yet, systems will be in place to
make their experience hassle-free. “If at all there is any issue with our services, please do not
hesitate to contact our Cornhill Street office. Thanks to the Ministry’s teams that worked
tirelessly; we will continue to do so until the conclusion of the process,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, the minister said that pensioners who are bedridden, visually impaired, or confined
to a wheelchair, can receive their pensions through direct delivery by registering for the shut-in
services. She said to request, they can call the following numbers: 221 2571, 221 2544
(Mahaicony); 232 0952, 232 0953 (Fort Wellington); 333 3970, 333 3318 (New Amsterdam);
337 2667 (Whim); 335 3051 (Skeldon); 771 4311 (Anna Regina); 225 6202, 223 6027
(Georgetown); 264 2690 (West Bank Demerara); 223 1746 ext. 2266/2267 (East Bank
Demerara); 220 8977, 256 3635 (East Coast Demerara); 444 6330, 444 6815 (Linden); 772 2307
(Lethem); and 455 2964 (Bartica).
She advised that if their coupon booklet is lost, the Ministry is asking that this be reported to the
nearest police station. A copy of the police report should then be uplifted and taken to the nearest
probation and social services office. Minister Persaud added that if there is a change in the
address, contact should also be made with the probation office.