The Department of Social Services has introduced new standardized forms, which go into effect on March 1, 2014. The forms are meant to protect persons from being exploited and misused – and to ensure that proper authority structures are in place for those who are assigned power of attorney to process and manage financial aid applications, medical aid applications and legal aid applications on behalf of others.
Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever stated that many persons fall within a vulnerable group, such as the elderly, and to combat misuse of the financial aid by others to whom the aid is not intended, the forms are being introduced.
" ‘Putting People First’ is the mandate of my Ministry, established in 2013 and thoroughly enforced throughout; every action undertaken in 2014 and beyond will reflect this," said Minister de Weever.
The Ministry is committed to putting people first, by ensuring that a shield of protection is in place – so that the elderly, the disabled and the less-fortunate have proper access to the aid offered to them.