Christmas bonus and pension rise cleared for payment
(CNS): Cabinet has approved a $250 Christmas bonus for those who receive long-term financial assistance through the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) and recipients of the Seafarers and Veterans Ex-Gratia Benefit. Officials have also confirmed that the increase from $950 to $1,250 for former public sector workers receiving the ex gratia pension, promised by Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, will also begin this month.
The increase in the pension is in line with that given to most other groups, such as veterans and those on permanent financial assistance.
Officials said the extra Christmas payment that will be given to all these groups is to provide support during the holiday season to vulnerable people, such as those living with permanent disabilities, veterans and seafarers, and the elderly.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to enhance the well-being of Caymanians and create a more inclusive and supportive society, Deputy Premier André Ebanks, who has responsibility for social welfare, said the increases signify the new government’s continued commitment to those in need.
“This holiday season payment, coupled with the stipend increase in August, signifies our government’s commitment to bettering the lives of our fellow Caymanians,” he said.
“Acknowledging the distinct challenges faced by permanently disabled individuals and recognising the invaluable contributions of older persons, veterans and seafarers to the Cayman Islands, we aim to ensure that everyone in our community feels valued and supported this holiday season. This payment serves as a tangible expression of that commitment,” he added.
Recipients of the holiday season payment will receive it this week in time to help make their holiday season a little brighter.
Eligible Caymanians who retired before June 2018 without an official pension but had worked in public service for at least ten will receive the increase.
Those who believe they are eligible for the uplift and have not yet received it can email uplift@pspb.ky to confirm their eligibility or call the Public Service Pension Board representatives at 940-7108 or 940-7119.
Those individuals who received a contracted officer’s supplement or similar compensation during any period specified mentioned above are not eligible for the ex gratia uplift.
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Category: Local News
very good decision of enhancement of pensions and Christmas bonuses to needy. It would be nice for Govt to consider support to some retired civil servants getting around 500 dollors only pension.
Thq
I’m a retired teacher getting a pension of $300. I’m so happy. I would be able to turn on my lights for Christmas. I have been using solar garden lights. Thank you new Government.
Congratulations and Christmas wishes of peace and prosperity for all of those who are part of the golden ticket and can look forward to additional raises and bonuses throughout the years.
Those of us who support your efforts, salute you for your fine familial connections which likely landed you your jobs. That’s the way it should be; your tribe should be dedicated toward your furtherance.
I don’t think you all have the right to look down your noses at the rest of us who weren’t so lucky as to have been born into a government-connected family. It’s a judgement most of us feel every day. Most of us were born here. We just weren’t as lucky as you. Matthew 7.1 is a fine guideline, albeit not the only one or even the most important.
Please do better taking care of our elders. I do what I can with what little I have. Your elders’ connections were what got your foot in the door of government. Please respect and cherish them. Don’t think that ‘their time has passed’. No. Their time is still here, and while they are proud of you, they are suffering and watch you thrive. It just isn’t right. You all know who this applies to, and apologies for those rare folk who actually care for their elders.
Blessings at Christmas and always
Boy, Civil service, hospitals, pensioners, and the rest, politicians buying votes BIG time right now.
Cabinet only approved bonuses for the core civil service. Payment of bonuses by statutory bodies need to be also approved by Cabinet. There has been no Cabinet approval anouncememt for HSA staff bonuses that has been announced.
Like..$1500 for civil servants who don’t need it, and $250 for those who are desperate for help.
The former represent a large voting block, the latter, not so much.
Pretty transparent eh UDPact/upm..?
Selective treating is the calling card of the UDP. Who voted for this?
‘Eligible Caymanians who retired before June 2018 without an official pension but had worked in public service for at least ten will receive the increase.’
Why did they not have an official pension?
‘Inclusive society’ obviously does not include Caymanian retirees/elderly from the private sector.
Magic money tree still bearing fruit. Andre Ebanks as recently as last month ““As we look forward to the launch of the Department of Financial Assistance, we embrace a future where members of our community can more efficiently access the support they need through modern processes and systems.” Modern processes and systems – being JOCC and her cabal just handing out money to whole groups of people without any investigation as to whether they even truly qualify for the group and certainly without any application or means testing. Just a gift from the current administration, paid for with taxpayers money, to make the current administration look benevolent, whilst they all trouser $300K a year in direct payments and god knows how much more under the table.
Look, it’s either this or white goods, take your pick!
They stick to what they know.
Don’t forget the 55 plus employees at NAU who add to the cost of the freebie vote buying giveaways.
I am a pensioner with 20+ years in Govt. I did not get any thing. because my pension was just a few dollars more, yes just a few dollars more, than the 1250, and up till now 20th Dec. did not get the 250 as yet.