KINGSTON, Jamaica— A total of 14,932 people are currently registered on the Social Pension Programme, which recorded more than $408 million in benefits paid out during fiscal year 2023/24.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

He advised that the budget for this financial year has increased by 165 per cent to $1 billion.

“Beginning this month, beneficiaries will receive an increase of over 76 per cent in their bi-monthly benefits, moving from $6,800 to $12,000,” Charles Jr said.

He pointed out that the programme requires applicants to have a birth certificate or passport to verify their age.

“We know that this requirement is difficult for some of our seniors. We have, therefore, strengthened our partnership with the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) to enable our seniors to obtain their birth certificates. I can announce that we have made changes to allow for increased flexibility while maintaining the programme’s integrity,” Charles Jr said.

“Where an applicant has no birth certificate or passport, he/she can use a voter’s ID or a photograph along with an attestation of another elderly person of similar age, both signed by a justice of the peace, to register for the programme,” he added.

People can also use their marriage certificate, birth certificate of children and school record among other documents to assist in verifying their age.

The Social Pension Programme was conceptualised by the Government to target assistance to seniors over the age of 75 who are without a pension or any financial support and are not on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

— JIS