Beckles: Government must explain unpaid pensions, grants

OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles is calling on the government to explain to pensioners and those dependent on government grants why they have not received their pensions, especially for those using direct deposit.

Speaking at a media conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Charles Street, Port of Spain, on October 1, Beckles said when she brought up the issue in August, saying she had been informed that pensioners had not been paid on time, she was criticised.

"Some people even asked me to send the names of the people. Lo and behold it was true. Now we have the direct deposit which is where you have provided all your information so your monies go straight to your account, and no monies have been received.

"So we are really calling on the government to explain to pensioners and all people who depend on that for your medication and all your basic needs, to explain to the public what is the situation as it relates to pensioners no receiving their pension and not receiving their direct deposits."

On September 26, the Ministry of People, Social Development and Family Services said there would be a delay in the delivery of social welfare cheques to recipients of senior citizens' pension, disability and public assistance grants and food support for October 2025.

It said this was due to a technical glitch at the ministry, later confirmed to Newsday by the Finance Minister to be a malfunctioning printer. At the time it said people using direct deposit would not be affected.