THOUSANDS of vulnerable citizens who access social welfare grants including – senior citizens pension, disability assistance and public assistance – and who receive funds via cheques were left without their funds thanks to a malfunctioning printer which prints these cheques in the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.

A release from the ministry confirmed this on September 26 but hastened to point out that citizens who have access to direct bank deposits were unaffected. The release did not state when the issue will be rectified and these cheques distributed to clients.

The release, posted to the ministry's Facebook page, said payments originally scheduled for September 26, covering the October cycle, were delayed because of a “technical glitch.”