By Sue-Ann Wayow

SENIOR citizens still waiting on their state pension grants should be able to receive them soon.

Minister of the People Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit worked informally over the past long-weekend with a team from the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT), to address the matter of significantly reducing the backlog of queries pending information for the processing of social welfare grants, including the Senior Citizens’ Pension.

The ministry via media release stated on Tuesday, “A dedicated team remains fully mobilised to bring closure to the remaining cases, as both entities are working diligently to complete the verification process in the shortest possible time-frame, while maintaining a strong commitment to accuracy, fairness, and transparency.”

The ministry also said it remained committed to working with all stakeholders to strengthen the social service delivery system in order to ensure that every citizen receives the support they needed.

Last week, the ministry stated that over 3,000 pension applications were still pending and Mohit gave further details at the post Cabinet meeting last Thursday.

According to Mohit, there were 2,292 queries pending further information for the processing of Senior Citizens’ Pensions as it related to the National Insurance Board (NIB).

There were also 1,438 immigration queries outstanding due a separate agreement with the Immigration Division.