There has been a noticeable uptick in the number of persons seeking assistance through the agency of PDV-CAB, says Operations Manager Laurie Louard.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many pensioners have been struggling financially, since they are not receiving Social Security payments in a timely manner. Accordingly, Louard says that interest seems to be mainly on the food-subsidy programme.
Meanwhile, registration for PDV’s utility-subsidy programme is taking place for new pensioners. Louard is encouraging those who are not a part of the initiative but who need assistance to apply.
He says that quite a few pensioners who had not taken up the opportunity to register for the programme before are doing so now.
The Operations Manager further explained a number of unemployed persons especially those who lost jobs in the tourism sector – have also been making applications to the food-subsidy programme.
At present, he says, there are 1,950 persons registered with the food programme and about 7,200 for the utility subsidy. There is also an LPG subsidy programme for Barbuda, Louard notes.
On a monthly basis, PDV-CAB spends just over $1 million on social programmes.
