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Nine thousand Guyanese on Public Assistance for 2013
– increase in cases engaging Ministry’s attention
There are approximately nine thousand Guyanese who currently receive $5,900.00 per month via the Public Assistance Programme, under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. This figure represents a large number of single parents, and differently- disabled persons from deprived economic backgrounds.
Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster.
In response to questions posed by this newspaper, Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, explained that the number of beneficiaries on the Public Assistance Programme changes when the economic status of the recipient improves.
However the Minister explained that more officers are placed in districts throughout the country to deal with the increase in the number of applications for the programme.
“There is a substantial amount of networking between other agencies; including Ministries of Government and Regional Democratic Councils throughout the country… as such there is an increase in cases engaging the Ministry’s attention.”
Until April 2009, public assistance grants were given to 1500 recipients annually.
“The provision of public assistance is provided to those vulnerable persons within our society and includes some persons with disabilities. However, public assistance cannot be granted to persons with common medical conditions, diabetes, hypertension arthritis, hernia or in certain socioeconomic grounds such as a grandparents applying for grandchildren who are left in their care… or a disabled person who is from a good economic background”
She explained that public assistance is a form of temporary financial assistance which is only meant for those who qualify for a period of six months. At the end of that time, a review is conducted to determine whether the recipient’s financial circumstances have changed.
This year, approximately $637.2M was budgeted for public assistance.
“It should be noted that all cases are means tested as stipulated by the Poor Relief Act Chapter 36:02 Section 23 (1). The Probation and Social Services Department examines all cases in detail. Reports are then prepared for the Poor Law Commission or the Local Board of Guardians statutory meeting which is held every month in different districts. The processing of public assistance applications takes approximately (3) months.”
Other safety net programmes under the purview of the Ministry of Human Services include the Women of Worth Initiative (WOW), Difficult Circumstances programme, Central Manpower and Recruitment Agency, Old Age Pension Fund and Water Waivers for Seniors, Public Assistance, School Uniform Vouchers, and School Feeding programme.
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