Senior Citizens To Benefit from EC$6.7M Utility Subsidy
November 29, 2007
St. John's, Antigua
More than 6000 seniors will soon receive financial assistance with public utilities though a subsidy provided by the Antiguan government in conjunction with PDV Caribe Antigua & Barbuda.
"The Senior Citizen Utility Subsidy Programme, made possible by the Petro Caribe Initiative demonstrates my government's commitment to putting people first. We are a caring government and this financial assistance, by way of a $100 monthly subsidy towards public utilities, would offer some much-need relief to our nation's senior citizens," Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said.
"My government, through PDV Caribe Antigua & Barbuda, will provide some EC$6.7 million worth of utility subsidies to this deserving group of people who have, over the years, contributed to the development of our twin-island nation," the Prime Minister added.
The programme is open to all individuals who currently receive a monthly benefit from the Antigua & Barbuda Social Security Scheme in the form of Age Pension, Invalidity Benefit or Old Age Assistance. Continued eligibility will be verified by the twice-annual Social Security life certificate.
Each person who qualifies will receive a booklet of six certificates valued at EC$100 each. This booklet will be issued twice per year. The certificates, one for each month, can then be used as credit against the designated APUA account(s). Each certificate must be used by its expiration date.
These certificates carry a unique serial number and will be issued in the name of the applicant. They cannot be transferred to a third party. The certificates are not replaceable if destroyed or lost and cannot be exchanged for cash. They can only be used to make payment against the utility accounts that have been designated by the applicant.
The registration phase will begin shortly in St John's and satellite locations around the island and in Barbuda. Once, complete the names are processed and participants will receive their certificate booklets during the distribution phase in early 2008.
Persons are asked to bring along a valid government-issued photo ID, Social Security card and copies of the APUA electricity, water and/or telephone bills to which they would like their subsidy applied. These bills must be for a designated residential account and do not necessarily have to be in the same name as the person who is eligible to participate in the programme.
Individuals over the age of 80 who already receive free utilities from APUA are not eligible to participate in this new programme.
The Senior Citizens Utility Subsidy Programme is a direct benefit of the Petro Caribe Initiative between the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Click here for FAQ for Government's Senior Citizens Utility Subsidy Programme
