Online application portal launched for pensioners, persons with disabilities

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Tuesday launched on online application platform for Pensioners and Persons Living with Disabilities, as it embarks on leveraging technology to enhance accessibility.
This digital platform will streamline access to vital services, facilitating efficient communication and ensure a more inclusive support system.
With this investment, the ministry aims to enhance the overall experience for beneficiaries, making essential services readily available, and fostering a more responsive social security system.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud shared that they are changing the way in which services are accessed to ensure that it is inclusive, accessible, and harnesses the power of information communication technology.
She disclosed, “This portal is one that is in line with His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana’s committed to move Guyana on the international stage by moving us in the national arena first, in the world of digital technology. Here is where we tackle some of the difficulties experienced by some of our most vulnerable populations and target populations.”
Now, from the comfort of their homes, individuals can seamlessly access the portal to track the progress of their applications with unprecedented ease.
From visiting the site and completing the application, persons can upload a form or identification and submit the form. The process of the application can be tracked online through the portal.
The Ministry is also working to integrate features so that persons with hearing and sight impairments can utilize the platform. With this feature, the Minister also outlined that this cuts time process by more than 50 percent. Overall, many strides have been made in improving accessibility.
“Persons were accustomed to congregating at the post offices across the country to encash their pension. We have moved significantly since then. In the last three years of Government, we now have alternate venues which allow for persons living with disabilities and pensioners to have their vouchers using the booklets and cash every day of the month. That is significant. So, you will not see at the post offices, those long lines and you will not hear the cries that monies have run out,” it was examined.
The portal is being piloted in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which will soon be replicated in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“There are lots of positives that will be coming out of this. Less bureaucracy, less time, less going anywhere…No person should feel left out in what we’re trying to do as a Ministry and wider as a Government. This Ministry has pioneered our national efforts in using ICT.”
A verification exercise will commence in March, ensuring that the information of senior citizens and persons with disabilities is recorded. In the direction which the Ministry is heading, they will be able to transition people from permanent disability onto the pensionable establishment.
Old age pension moved from $19,500 in 2020 to now $36,000 with a commitment to further increasing it.
As of 2024, some 76,000 registered pensioners are projected – an increase from 58,100 in 2020. In the direct delivery system, 5,003 persons have benefitted along with 2,374 persons with disabilities.
Persons were urged to also utilise the banking mechanism as the Minister shared, “The banking system, which is not very new, is something I would like to encourage more persons to utilise. It currently has 1,574 persons listed as using the system. I would say that this is an easy system. You relinquish your books. We have a desk now at the Lamaha Street office and persons can use the online platform the sign up for the banking system.” (G12)