TRINIDAD: Senior citizen grant rises by $300

. PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad / The Trinidad Express / January 2, 2009 Juhel Browne Today marks the beginning a new year that will see thousands of senior citizens receiving a $300 increase in their monthly grants from the State. "Over 45,000 senior citizens grant recipients are set to benefit from an increased Senior Citizens Grant with effect from January 2009," the Social Development Ministry said in a statement. It said the grant was increased in keeping with the increased figures announced in the 2008/2009 Budget. "Persons eligible for the maximum grant amount will now receive $1,950, up from $1,650. In addition, persons in receipt of income not exceeding $1000 monthly will now enjoy an increased grant of $1,850, up from $1,550," the ministry stated. The ministry also reminded recipients of the changes announced in the 2007/2008 National Budget contained in the Finance (No 2) Act of 2007, "in which the National Insurance Retirement Benefit was increased to $2,000 per month effective January 7, 2008". The ministry also stated it had been making adjustments to the grant payments of eligible citizens last year. "In order to fully implement the measures outlined in the Finance (No 2) Act, the ministry, with effect from January 2009, will be making the necessary adjustments to other relevant Senior Citizens Grant recipients," the ministry said. It added that in this regard, those recipients of the Senior Citizens Grant, who are also in receipt of the National Insurance Retirement Benefit of $2,000 per month "and no other source of income, will receive a grant payment, equivalent to the difference between the National Insurance Retirement Benefit and the revised monthly qualifying income ceiling for Senior Citizens Grant of $2,800 per month". The ministry is asking any Senior Citizens Grant recipients who have any questions about the grant increases to contact the Local Public Assistance Board in their district or call the Ministry's Older Persons Information Centre (OPIC) at 800-OPIC (6742). The release came after hundreds of pensioners queried their pension cheques yesterday. Some said they had either received a payment which was lower, while others said it was higher than they usually received. jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com Copyright 2008 Trinidad Express