GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) has started an education drive for pensioners who utilise services which will be paid for by the government. The aim is to urge beneficiaries to learn the facts, GWI Public Relations Officer Timothy Austin said yesterday.
He said old age pension recipients aged 65 years and older qualify for the subsidy paid for by the government and granted yearly, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
Austin noted that the grant assists eligible GWI customers to pay their water bills, those in Georgetown granted $11,880 annually and others outside of Georgetown $8,976 per year.
He advised that only those registered government old age pensioners, age 65 and above, are eligible and the water bill must be in the person’s name.
Austin explained that, for example, a Kitty consumer whose bill amounts to $21,000, will receive a subsidy of $11,880 and, when that is deducted from his total balance, the person is required to pay $9,120.
In the case of a customer outside of Georgetown, whose bill is $13,800, that person will receive a subsidy of $8,976 and should pay $4,824.

DISCONNECTED
He cautioned, however, that old aged pensioners can be disconnected for non-payment and are also asked to note the following information:

• pensioners should advise GWI of their old age pension status by calling telephone number 227- 8701;

• the subsidy  covers only one property;

• the water bill must be in the pensioner’s name before the subsidy is granted;

• the subsidy is only granted when a customer attains the of 65 and is registered. It will not cover any arrears owed prior to the customer attaining that age;

•  the subsidy is only granted to Government of Guyana pensioners, who are of aged 65 and above;

•  the subsidy is only granted to the address stated on the pensioner’s voucher;

• the pensioners’ subsidy is not an exemption. A pensioner must pay any arrears that exceed the granted subsidy and

• the pensioners’ subsidy is granted to both domestic and commercial GWI customers who are Government of Guyana pensioners.