The expansion of the range for those eligible for state pension will cost the state $194 million.
This was announced by Minister of Social Development Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn during her contribution to the Budget debate yesterday.
"The proposed increase in the cap of combined monthly incomes to $6000 will result in increases for 27,263 existing pensioners," said Crichlow-Cockburn.
The cap combines the amount that can be received from NIS as well as the state pension. This adjustment will come into effect on January 1st next year.
Crichlow-Cockburn explained that the adjustment of the minimum income eligibility range from $4,500 to $5,500 meant 2,500 more people were eligible for pensions from the state.
The Minister also confirmed that 24,300 people were confirmed to be recipients of food cards after the Government completed their checks.
In response to the Opposition leader's stance that "18,000 people could not have been cheaters" who accessed food cards, Crichlow-Cockburn pointed to the previous administration's monthly distribution of temporary food cards. She estimated that 87,000 people may have received temporary food cards under the previous government's tenure.
The Social Development Minister also said the National Enrichment Centre will be opened later this month.
The centre was launched in 2015 but not officially opened, as concerns about the building remained. Crichlow-Cockburn said the certificate of completion for the building should have been handed over to the ministry yesterday