Public assistance increase coming for poor, vulnerable

Beginning January 2020, the public assistance paid to poor and vulnerable persons, will be increased by $25 a month.

This was one of the announcements made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves last Sunday during the annual Independence rally at Victoria Park.

During the address, entitled “Renewal at 40”, Gonsalves said that persons on public assistance number approximately 4,500 and recipients who are over 65 will be paid $275 monthly while those under 65 years of age will get that $250 monthly.

“Our profound commitment to the poor continues. I expect that in the New Year, too, the minimum pension paid by the National Insurance Services will increase appropriately after the usual review,” Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves stated that over the next few months, in a continued effort to assist Vincentians, the Medical Cannabis Authority (MCA) will provide $1.3 million in assistance to traditional marijuana growers who have been licensed to transition into the legal medical cannabis industry.

The Prime Minister said the MCA will also provide educational, health, and rehabilitative support in the amount of $200,000 to assist persons who have a dependency on drugs.

“Further, the government will carry out a land distribution plan on over 200 acres of land on the north western part of St Vincent for traditional workers and growers who are transitioning to medicinal cannabis,” Gonsalves announced.