The delay in paying a small number of low-income pensioners their pension was due to a technical problem on the Welfare Benefits Management Service (YDEP) website, the deputy welfare ministry said on Tuesday.

The problem was identified on Monday by YDEP and corrective actions were immediately taken.

The payment of the pensions began on Monday and will be completed as soon as possible.

YDEP said it will also telephones affected people.

“The deputy welfare ministry categorically denies the cut-off of the ‘small cheque,’ [a pension bonus] of the low pensioner allowance, due to the increase in the social insurance fund payments,” it said after Haravgi newspaper charged that this was the case.

“The government has taken all the necessary actions regarding the absorption of the cost of the increases regarding the Low Pensioner Allowance, while the increase was granted by the Social Insurance Fund on December 18,” YDEP said.