President Irfaan Ali in an address to the nation this afternoon announced that instead of the one-off $200,000 per household cash grant, the Government will now be giving every Guyanese 18-years and over a one-off cash grant of $100,000 each.

The President in his address said to be eligible for the grant, a person will have to be the holder of a Guyana passport or ID Card.

The President said the Government decision to change the grant from $200,000 per household to $100,000 per adult Guyanese, was triggered by a number of complexities and concerns about what constitutes a household and the possibility of many people being left out.

“Understanding the importance of feedback that we have received, including internal family conflicts, about access and distribution of the grant. We have seen in recent days, a rush to transfer registration of vehicles and a rush to prepare tenancy agreements, all of which is aimed at establishing a distinct household as well as other complications that may arise in administering these benefits. Having regard to these challenges, whether real or perceived, I instructed last Friday that this measure be reexamined with the aim of expanding the benefit while removing the challenges we highlighted”, the President said.

The President said he requested that consideration be given to reducing the burden of administering the benefit, simplifying the procedures for accessing the benefit, improving ease of verification, minimizing potential conflicts that may arise and ensuring an open, transparent and verifiable system of delivery and expansion of the benefit.

The expansion of the benefit will now see more persons accessing the one-off grant and will cost more.

“Instead of the one-off cash grant of $200,000 for every household as previously announced, my Government will now expand this benefit my providing a one-off cash grant of $100,000 cash grant to every citizen of Guyana 18 years and above as of the 1st January 2024 with the simple means of verification being possession of national valid identification card and or a valid passport”.

He said the measure is now aimed at reducing the risk and complexities that were raised by citizens over the previously announced household grant. The President said he believes that in the interest of fairness, the cash grant for every citizen 18-years and over is better.

“As a responsible Government, as a Government that understands that we have a responsibility that all feel included and part of the system, it is important that we build a system that is robust in delivering this grant and the simplest and most verifiable way is the $100,000 for every Guyanese 18 and above with the qualifying date of the 1st January 2024, that is achieving the age of 18 at the 1st January 2024”, President Ali reiterated.

The President also announced today that in addition to abolishing the tuition fees for the University of Guyana from January 2025, the Government will also be abolishing the tuition fees at all Government technical and vocational schools.

The cash grant distribution has set off widespread public discourse since it was first announced last week. It was former Finance Minister under the APNU+AFC Government, Winston Jordan, who first recommended that a $100,000 cash grant be give to every adult Guyanese instead of the $200,000 per household grant, since more persons will stand to benefit.

Related posts:

Former Finance Minister advises Government to give every adult Guyanese a $100,000 cash grant instead of $200,000 per household plan President announces one-off cash grant of $200,000 for every household Pensioners to get $28,000 one-off cash grant before year end $25,000 cash grant for residents of riverain and hinterland communities