Encashment of $25,000 one-off cash grants extended to Dec 15

– GPL prepaid customers urged to secure grant now

Recipients of the $25,000 cash grant vouchers that are being distributed by the Government of Guyana through the Human Services and Social Security Ministry have up to December 15, 2021 to encash them. The time has been extended to ensure that everyone who is entitled to the grant receives the grant.
Subject Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud made the announcement of the extension this week, while noting that the period is for those who, for some reason or another, could not collect their vouchers. The vouchers can be cashed at any post office, Sure Pay or MoneyGram.

“It is Government’s commitment to public assistance recipients and people living with disabilities. In addition to our survey, we worked along with the National Commission on Disability and the Poor Law Commission to ensure that persons living with disabilities who were not on our Public Assistance Register were included,” Dr. Persaud explained, adding, “And we are working on a system to deliver this to their homes.”
Following this announcement, pensioners and others can go to their regional offices or to the central offices of the Ministry to uplift their 2022 pension books and vouchers.
“December 15 is the latest that we can extend. We just want to make sure that everyone benefits,” Minister Persaud said.
She is also encouraging prepaid customers of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to secure the one-time electricity credit that the Government has granted. This one-time credit amounts to $3,750, and recipients are urged to visit their nearest GPL office to convert the credit into a prepaid electricity token.
Persons requiring further clarity on this credit are urged to make contact with GPL from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am and 3pm. GPL’s Call Centre can be contacted on telephone #226- 2600.
The Ministry is advising persons to visit their regular distribution sites for queries regarding permanently disabled people and public assistance (both economic and medical) for the year 2021.
Meanwhile, Dr. Persaud has noted that the recent distribution exercise was a massive undertaking that, by and large, went well, with the support of 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 many persons would have already benefited from the voucher and 2022 book in one month,” she said. “The shut-in delivery to target the remaining persons is ongoing, and officers from the Ministry are fanning out to conclude the entire exercise by next week, “she added.
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.
To request this facility, 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).
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. If there is a change in the address, contact should also be made with the Probation Office.