Funeral Benefit
What documents are needed to claim Funeral Benefit? Who is actually paid the Funeral Benefit? How long does it take to process a claim for Funeral Benefit? What are the qualifying conditions for Funeral Benefit? Is there a time limit for putting in a claim for Funeral Benefit? Can the Funeral Benefit cheque be paid directly to the undertaker?
Industrial Benefit
Which National Insurance form/s, if any, should the employer fill out in the event of an industrial accident? Does National Insurance assist with home-help for the severely disabled worker? Can an injured worker go to any medical facility for needed care following an industrial accident? In some instances where an industrial accident occurs, the individual’s insurance company pays for the medical expenses. Are they reimbursed? How long can Disablement Benefit be paid? How long is Injury Benefit paid for? What are the qualifying conditions for Industrial Benefit? What is the rate of payment for Disablement Benefit? What is the rate of payment for Injury Benefit? Who is responsible for paying the medical expenses if there is an industrial accident - the employer or National Insurance?
Invalidity Benefit
What is needed to claim Invalidity Benefit? What are the qualifying conditions for Invalidity Benefit? Who is eligible to receive Invalidity Benefit? How long is Invalidity Benefit paid for? Is Invalidity Benefit paid to both Bahamians and non-Bahamian residents? What is the rate of payment for Invalidity Benefit? What is Invalidity Benefit? Can a person return to work after being awarded Invalidity Benefit?
Maternity Benefit
What is the amount of the Maternity Grant now? Will Maternity Benefit be increased if a woman has a Caesarian Section? What are the contribution conditions for Maternity Benefit? Who is eligible to receive Maternity Grant? Can a woman qualify for Maternity Benefit based on her husband's contributions? Is there a limit to the number of times a woman can claim Maternity Benefit? If the baby is stillborn can the Maternity Grant be paid to assist with the burial? How often can Maternity Grant be paid? Are there any other conditions, other than the contribution conditions, to qualify for Maternity Benefit? Does National Insurance pay Paternity Benefit?
Retirement Benefit
Can a claimant get both Retirement Benefit and OANCP? What is the minimum age for claiming Retirement Benefit? Can non-Bahamians claim Retirement Benefit? What is the Rate of Payment for Retirement Benefit ? What are 'Special Age Credits'? Can a person get Retirement Benefit and still work?
Sickness Benefit
Is Sickness Benefit paid if the illness is a result of alcohol or drug abuse? Can Sickness Benefit cheques be sent to a claimant's bank account? Would it be possible for an employed person, who had previously suffered an industrial accident which left him disabled, to receive Sickness Benefit while receiving his Disability cheque? What is the difference between Sickness Benefit and Injury Benefit? If full salary is paid while an employee is on sick leave, does the employer have the right to request the Sickness Benefit cheques paid by National Insurance? How long is Sickness Benefit paid? Does the employer have the right to find out what the employee received as Sickness Benefit? What are the qualifying conditions for Sickness Benefit? Is Sickness Benefit paid while on vacation? What are "Waiting Days"?
Survivors Benefit
What are the contribution conditions for Survivors' Benefit? How long is Survivors' Benefit paid for? What is needed to claim Survivors' Benefit? Is Survivors' Benefit paid to both Bahamian and non-Bahamian residents? Who qualifies for this benefit? What is Survivors' Benefit? What are the qualifying conditions for Survivors' Benefit for the widow/widower? Can a person work and still continue to receive Survivors' Benefit?
What documents are needed to claim Funeral Benefit? The claimant must bring in a copy of the deceased death certificate; a bill/receipt from the undertaker and a completed application form for Funeral Benefit. In the case of a spouse, amarriage certificate is also needed. Who is actually paid the Funeral Benefit? Funeral Benefit is paid to the person who either pays or who is responsible for paying the funeral expenses. How long does it take to process a claim for Funeral Benefit? Yes. A claim form for Funeral Benefit should be submitted within one year of the death. What are the qualifying conditions for Funeral Benefit? The deceased insured person must have paid a minimum of 50contributions into National Insurance over the lifetime of the Programme; or in the case of a married couple, the insured spouse can claim on behalf of his/her uninsured mate, based on the 50contributions that he/she had paid into the programme. Is there a time limit for putting in a claim for Funeral Benefit? Yes. A claim form for Funeral Benefit should be submitted within one year of the death. Can the Funeral Benefit cheque be paid directly to the undertaker? Yes. The person who is responsible for paying the funeral expenses can authorize National Insurance to pay the $1,500 (as of January, 1999) directly to the undertaker.
Which National Insurance form/s, if any, should the employer fill out in the event of an industrial accident? In the event of an industrial accident, the employer must fill out the Employer’s Report On Accident At Work (Form B-44), giving details of the accident and confirming that it did happen on the job, or in the course of the employment. The employer must report industrial accidents within three (3) months of the date of the accident, failure to do so may result in a fine of $500. Does National Insurance assist with home-help for the severely disabled worker? As from January, 1999, if a person suffers industrial disability and requires constant care and attendance, he/she will be entitled to an additional amount of 20 percent of their Disablement Benefit, to assist with needed home help. Can an injured worker go to any medical facility for needed care following an industrial accident? Yes. An injured worker can go to any facility in The Bahamas for care in the event of an industrial accident. However, this is not the case with health care outside The Bahamas. National Insurance will only make payments to health facilities abroad if the case was referred by the claimant's doctor and had previously been approved by the National Insurance Board. In some instances where an industrial accident occurs, the individual’s insurance company pays for the medical expenses. Are they reimbursed? Yes, they are reimbursed. However, original receipts must be produced in order for the payments to be made. How long can Disablement Benefit be paid? Disablement Benefit can be paid for life, if the medical referee determines that the disability is permanent and recovery unlikely. Where a claimant is likely to make a full recovery, however, the medical referee may make a final assessment for a limited period, and the benefit would be awarded accordingly. How long is Injury Benefit paid for? Injury Benefit can be paid for a maximum period of 40 weeks. What are the qualifying conditions for Industrial Benefit? There are no specific contribution conditions to be met before any of the Industrial Benefits can be awarded. These benefits can be awarded from the employee's first day on the job, if he/she suffers a work-related injury on that day. However, the employer will have to provide the National Insurance Board with information on his/her future wage/income and contribution rate,so that the injured worker could be paid the correct Industrial Benefit. What is the rate of payment for Disablement Benefit? Disablement Benefit is paid based on the assessed degree of disability; no payment is made for an assessment that is less than one percent. If the medical referee assesses the degree of disablement resulting from the industrial accident at between one (1) and 100 percent, benefit would be awarded as follows: 1. If disablement is assessed at between one (1) and 24 percent, a Disablement Grant of between $100 and $2,400 would be awarded; that is, $100 for each degree of disablement; 2. If the disablement is assessed at 25 percent or more, the assessment would be rounded to the nearest decimal point and the award would be a one-time cash grant of between $500 and $1,000 as well as a monthly disablement pension. For example: i. a 32 percent assessment, gives a 30 percent Disablement Pension; ii. a 45 percent assessment, gives a 50 percent Disablement Pension; and iii. a 76 percent disablement assessment, gives an 80 percent Disablement Pension. The rate for a 100 percent disablement assessment would be the same as for the Injury Benefit (662/3 percent of a claimant's assessed average weekly insurable wage/income); as well as a $1,000 cash grant. What is the rate of payment for Injury Benefit? Injury Benefit is paid at the rate of 66 2/3 percent of the claimant's average weekly insurable wage, up to the ceiling of $250, or $400 as of January, 1999. Maximum weekly payment is$166.66, up to $266.66 as of January, 1999. Who is responsible for paying the medical expenses if there is an industrial accident - the employer or National Insurance? National Insurance is responsible for paying all of the medical expenses for an injured worker provided treatment is sought at a health-care facility in The Bahamas. Payment would also be made to a health care facility abroad, provided the necessary approved referral was first obtained.
What is needed to claim Invalidity Benefit? In order to claim Invalidity Benefit, a claimant must bring in the following documents: 1. A copy of either a passport, birth or baptismal certificate or affidavit to verify date-of-birth; 2. A letter from his/her doctor stating that he/she is permanently incapable of work; and 3. A completed claim Form for Invalidity Benefit. What are the qualifying conditions for Invalidity Benefit? To qualify for Invalidity Benefit a claimant must have: 1. paid a minimum of 150 contributions; 2. paid and been credited with at least 750 contributions (this includes the 150 above), and 3. been diagnosed by a medical referee as being permanently incapable of working. Who is eligible to receive Invalidity Benefit? Invalidity Benefit is awarded to an insured person who: 1. is under the age of 65 years; 2. is permanently disabled and the disablement was not caused by an employment injury; and 3. satisfies the contribution conditions;* * that is the claimant must have paid a minimum of 150 contributions, since National Insurance began. How long is Invalidity Benefit paid for? Invalidity Benefit is paid for life or as long as the claimant remains an invalid, permanently incapable of work. Is Invalidity Benefit paid to both Bahamians and non-Bahamian residents? Yes. As long as they meet the qualifying conditions, both Bahamians and non-Bahamians can qualify for Invalidity Benefit. What is the rate of payment for Invalidity Benefit? Disablement Benefit is paid based on the assessed degree of disability; no payment is made for an assessment that is less than one percent. If the medical referee assesses the degree of disablement resulting from the industrial accident at between one (1) and 100 percent, benefit would be awarded as follows: 1. If disablement is assessed at between one (1) and 24 percent, a Disablement Grant of between $100 and $2,400 would be awarded; that is, $100 for each degree of disablement; 2. If the disablement is assessed at 25 percent or more, the assessment would be rounded to the nearest decimal point and the award would be a one-time cash grant of between $500 and $1,000 as well as a monthly disablement pension. For example: i. a 32 percent assessment, gives a 30 percent Disablement Pension; ii. a 45 percent assessment, gives a 50 percent Disablement Pension; and iii. a 76 percent disablement assessment, gives an 80 percent Disablement Pension. The rate for a 100 percent disablement assessment would be the same as for the Injury Benefit (662/3 percent of a claimant's assessed average weekly insurable wage/income); as well as a $1,000 cash grant. What is Invalidity Benefit? Invalidity Benefit is paid to a worker who is permanently incapable of gainful employment (either as an employed or a self-employed person). This payment generally follows the Sickness Benefit period. Can a person return to work after being awarded Invalidity Benefit? Yes. A person can return to work after being awarded Invalidity Benefit, but the benefit will stop when work is resumed, and contribution payments will again be required.
What is the amount of the Maternity Grant now? At present, the Maternity Grant is $250, payable for each live baby. Will Maternity Benefit be increased if a woman has a Caesarian Section? No. Maternity Benefit will not be increased in this instance. What are the contribution conditions for Maternity Benefit? In order to receive Maternity Benefit, a pregnant woman must have: 1. Paid at least 50 contributions as an employed or self-employed person; and 2. Paid and been credited with at least 26 contributions in the 40 weeks immediately preceding, the week in which benefit is due to start; or 3. Paid and been credited with at least 26 contributions in the preceding contribution year. Who is eligible to receive Maternity Grant? A woman must satisfy the following conditions to receive Maternity Grant: 1. she must have paid a minimum of 50 contributions into the National Insurance Board over the lifetime of the Programme; and 2. she must deliver a live baby. Can a woman qualify for Maternity Benefit based on her husband's contributions? No. A woman qualifies for Maternity Benefit based on her own contributions. Is there a limit to the number of times a woman can claim Maternity Benefit? No. A woman can claim Maternity Benefit every year, as long as she qualifies for the benefit. If the baby is stillborn can the Maternity Grant be paid to assist with the burial? No. Maternity Grant is only paid in the event of a live birth; the Grant cannot be awarded to assist with burial costs in the case of a still birth. How often can Maternity Grant be paid? Maternity Grant can be paid as often as a woman meets thecontribution conditions and has a live baby. Are there any other conditions, other than the contribution conditions, to qualify for Maternity Benefit? Yes. The woman is required to bring in a letter from her employer, during the fourth week of confinement, stating when she is expected to return to work. Does National Insurance pay Paternity Benefit? No.
Can a claimant get both Retirement Benefit and OANCP? No. Retirement Benefit is paid based on entitlement. Old Age Non-Contributory Pension is paid only based on need, to Bahamian residents who have not made any, or made insufficient contributions to qualify for Retirement Benefit. What is the minimum age for claiming Retirement Benefit? The minimum age for claiming Retirement Benefit is 60 years; this will be paid at a reduced rate of 75 percent of the full entitlement, increasing to 80 percent as of January, 1999. Full Retirement Benefit is paid only from age 65 years. Can non-Bahamians claim Retirement Benefit? Yes. A non-Bahamian can claim Retirement Benefit as long as he/she meets the minimum qualifying condition of 150 paid contributions. What is the Rate of Payment for Retirement Benefit ? Retirement Benefit is paid as a percentage of an individual's average weekly insurable wage. Each person's benefit is unique; and the amount paid as Retirement Benefit depends largely on the following: 1. Whether the specific claimant is opting for early retirement (from age 60 years), or is claiming full Retirement Benefit at age 65 years or older; 2. Whether the claimant was a Government worker (Pensionable Civil Servant), or had worked in the private sector; 3. The claimant's total number of paid and/or credited contributions - including 'Special Age Credits'; and 4. The actual salary/wages on which the contributions were paid. What are 'Special Age Credits'? 'Special Age Credits' are credited contributions awarded to persons who were thirty-five (35) years or older at the time the National Insurance Programme began on October 7, 1974, for employed persons, and on April 5, 1976 for self-employed persons. To qualify, such persons had to have paid at least one hundred and fifty (150) contributions in the three (3) years immediately after the programme began. These 'Special Age Credits' are awarded at the rate of twenty-five (25) credits for each birthday after age 35, up to a maximum of six hundred (600) credits. Can a person get Retirement Benefit and still work? Yes. Under certain conditions, a person can get Retirement Benefit and continue to work, as an employed person, provided his/her salary is not more than $120 per week/$520 per month, or $200 per week/ $866.67 per month, as of January, 1999. Also, as of January, 1999, self-employed persons will be able to work and receive their Retirement Benefit if they earn no more than $200 per week. Additionally, persons over 70 years will be able to work and receive their Retirement Benefit with no salary limit.
Is Sickness Benefit paid if the illness is a result of alcohol or drug abuse? No. Sickness Benefit is not paid if the illness is due to alcohol, narcotics or other drugs, other than those prescribed by a doctor. Can Sickness Benefit cheques be sent to a claimant's bank account? No. Would it be possible for an employed person, who had previously suffered an industrial accident which left him disabled, to receive Sickness Benefit while receiving his Disability cheque? Yes. As of January, 1999, a claimant can receive both Sickness and Disablement Benefit at the same time. If a claimant is in receipt of Disablement benefit, and resumes work as an employed or self-employed person, then National Insurance contributions must again be deducted and paid into the Board on his/her behalf. Should he/she become ill and is unable to work for a specified period, he/she can claim, and would be paid Sickness Benefit for this period of illness. What is the difference between Sickness Benefit and Injury Benefit? Sickness Benefit is paid to an insured person who is incapable of work because of an illness that did not result from an industrial accident. Benefit is paid at the rate of 60 percent of the claimant's average weekly insurable wage, up to the ceiling of $250; this amount will be increased to $400 weekly as of January, 1999. The weekly maximum paid for Sickness Benefit is $150, increasing to $240, as of January, 1999. Injury Benefit is paid as a result of an industrial accident or prescribed disease. "Industrial" means an injury resulting from an accident on the job or in the course of the employment. Injury Benefit is paid at the rate of 66 2/3 percent of the average weekly insurable wage of $250, or $400 per week as of January, 1999. The maximum paid weekly for Injury Benefit is $166.67, increasing to $266.67 in January, 1999. If full salary is paid while an employee is on sick leave, does the employer have the right to request the Sickness Benefit cheques paid by National Insurance? Yes. The employer is empowered by law to adjust his/her employee's sick leave pay to take into account the benefit payment/s received from National Insurance. So, if a worker receives full salary while on sick leave, then the employer has a right to adjust the salary either by deducting the difference National Insurance paid, or by requesting the Sickness Benefit cheques. The employer is obligated to pay contributions at the rate of 5.4 percent for all his/her employees whose weekly wages are $60 and over, and 7.1 percent for all employees who earn less than $60 per week. How long is Sickness Benefit paid? Sickness Benefit is normally paid for a period of 156 days or 26 weeks. However, this time may be extended for an additional 84 days, that is a maximum of 240 days or 40 weeks, provided the Board's Medical Officer is satisfied that the claimant's health is likely to improve with additional medical treatment. Sickness Benefit is not paid for periods of illness of three (3) days or less. Does the employer have the right to find out what the employee received as Sickness Benefit? Yes. The National Insurance Act, Chapter 320 Statute Laws of The Bahamas, directs the National Insurance Board to comply with any reasonable requests made by the employer in terms of his/her employees' benefits. What are the qualifying conditions for Sickness Benefit? In order to qualify for Sickness Benefit, a claimant must have paid a minimum of 40 contributions into the National Insurance Board since the Programme began; and paid or been credited with at least 13 contributions in the 26 contribution weeks immediately before the illness started; paid\been credited with 26 contributions in the 52 weeks immediately before the week the illness started; paid/been credited 26 contributions in the contribution year immediately before the week the illness began. Is Sickness Benefit paid while on vacation? Yes. If a claimant is ill during his/her vacation period, then a Sickness Benefit claim should be submitted to any of the Board's Regional offices. What are "Waiting Days"? "Waiting Days" are the first three (3) days of a claim period, Sickness Benefit is not paid for this period. However, if there are eight weeks or less between a previous claim for Sickness Benefit and a new one, benefit payment will start from the first day of the current illness, as the claims would be "linked."
What are the contribution conditions for Survivors' Benefit? The deceased must have paid at least 150 contributions anytime since the National Insurance Scheme began in October, 1974. How long is Survivors' Benefit paid for? In the case of a widow/widower, Survivors' Benefit is paid for as long as he/she does not marry or cohabit; in the case of dependent children, until they are 16 years or 21 years if full-time students, as of January, 1999. What is needed to claim Survivors' Benefit? A death certificate, the child(ren)'s birth certificate, and a completed Survivors' Benefit claim Form is required when claiming on behalf of children. In the case of a widow/widower, a marriage certificate, death certificate and an application form for Survivors' Benefit are needed. Is Survivors' Benefit paid to both Bahamian and non-Bahamian residents? Yes, as long as they satisfy the contribution conditions to qualify for Survivors' Benefit. However, the benefit is paid in Bahamian dollars. Who qualifies for this benefit? To qualify for Survivors' Benefit, one must: Be the survivor(s) of a deceased insured person, who was dependent on the deceased at the time of his/her death. Survivors' Benefit is paid to the surviving dependents in the following priority order. 1. the widow or widower; 2. unmarried children of the deceased insured person, under age 16 years, or under age 21 as of January 1999, if still in school; 3. unmarried children who are not children of the deceased person, but were dependent upon him/her, under age 16 years, or under 21 years, as of January, 1999, if still in school; and unmarried orphans under age 16 years, or under 21 years, as of January, 1999, if still in school who were maintained by the deceased; 4. invalid children of the deceased; and 5. parents of the deceased. What is Survivors' Benefit? Survivors' Benefit is a payment made to the dependent survivor(s) of a deceased insured person, whose death was not the result of an employment injury. Can a person work and still continue to receive Survivors' Benefit? Yes.