The country’s seniors aged 75 and older will now benefit from an $800 million Social Pension Programe that was officially launched by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on July 30.

Under the programme, a guaranteed income will be provided to seniors who are not currently in receipt of a pension, disability benefit or other retirement benefits, cash grants from the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), or the Poor Relief Programme.

They must also not reside in a government institutional care facility.

Holness described the programme, which is the first of its kind in Jamaica, as a landmark achievement in the development of the nation’s social protection framework for the most vulnerable in the society.

“I am particularly proud of the fact that we have been able to implement this programme in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We have been able to do this because of prudent fiscal management on the part of this Government,” he said during the virtual launch at Jamaica House.

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