Senior citizens to receive early pension payment – GPOC

Less than a week after People’s Progressive Party Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali called for necessary systems to be implemented for pensioners to receive their monthly allowances early, the Guyana Post Office Corporation has announced a new system for the distribution of pension payments. This new system will see pensioners receiving their money at an earlier date.
On Tuesday GPOC said that this new plan was formulated in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry to reduce mass gathering, adding that the practice of social distancing is essential.
As such, pensions for the month of May will begin on April 29 from 07:00h at all post offices countrywide.
An alphabetical system, using surnames, will be used for senior citizens to receive their payment during the first five payment days of the month in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Surnames beginning with the letters A-E will be paid on April 29, F-J on April 30, K-O on May 4, P-T on May 6, and U-Z on May 7. The alphabetical system will only be used during the first five payment days.
However, senior citizens will be allowed to cash their coupons on any day after the fifth payment day.
“In keeping with the guidelines provided by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the GPOC will continue to enforce a minimum distance of three feet between individuals accessing our services. This measure will limit the number of individuals who can enter the post office at any given time. Persons visiting our offices will be asked to sanitise their hands upon entry, and our public areas will be sanitised intermittently throughout the day. Persons visiting the post office are asked to wear a protective mask,” GPOC indicated.
Other additional information can be accessed through their website www.guypost.gy or their social media handles.
Earlier this month, it was reported that despite stern warnings for senior citizens to avoid visiting post offices during the coronavirus threat, hundreds of pensioners were seen flocking various postal locations countrywide.
The elderly folks were waiting in long queues to uplift their pension payments, even though the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) had advised that pensioners should authorise a younger family member to collect same on their behalf.
Moreover, pensioners were urged to refrain from visiting the post offices to uplift their monies during the first days of the month, since vouchers would be available later on. The advisory was issued in light of the coronavirus disease, of which elderly folks are more vulnerable.

Recommendations
On Wednesday last, Dr Ali said that it is necessary for systems to be implemented which caters for the elderly in light of COVID-19.
In an interview with this publication, Ali suggested, as one measure, that the elderly receive advance payments for at least two months, thus eliminating the need for them to even have to leave their homes.
“Pensioners form part of the most vulnerable group. What we’ve seen is no adjustment in the administrative mechanism,” the Presidential Candidate explained.
“One of the things they could have easily done is for the period they have this lockdown, one cheque could have been written for the two months,” he added.