Invalidity
What is Invalidity benefit?
This benefit is paid to a person who has exhausted his or her
entitlement to Sickness Benefit or where having been examined by a
doctor, has been diagnosed as being permanently incapable of work. The
benefit may be paid as a Pension or a Grant, depending on the number of
contributions paid into the National Insurance Scheme.
How do I qualify to receive Invalidity benefit?
Invalidity benefit is paid to an insured person who:
* Is under the age of 60
* Has become permanently incapable of work because of some physical or
mental illness and is medically certified as being likely to remain
incapacitated
* Is not in receipt of Sickness benefits or has exhausted all
entitlement to Sickness benefit
Invalidity Pension
To qualify for a Pension, an insured person must have at least 150 weeks
paid contributions and be under the age of 60. This is a monthly payment
as long as the invalidity last.
Invalidity Grant
To qualify for a Grant, an insured person must have at least 50 weeks
paid contributions and be under the age of 60. Invalidity grant is a
lump sum payment and is paid at 5 times the average weekly insurable
earnings for every 50 contributions.
How do I Claim Invalidity Benefit?
If after a year of Sickness benefit, a medical doctor assesses that you
are medically unfit for work and is likely to remain incapacitated
permanently you are required to complete the Invalidity Benefit claim
form. The claim form must be signed by a registered Medical Doctor and
then submitted to the National Insurance Scheme.
A claim for Invalidity benefit must be filed within three months from
the date on which the person became eligible to receive the benefit.
What is the Benefit Rate?
Invalidity Pension is paid at an annual rate of:
* 30% of a person’s average annual insurable earnings during the best
four years, (if pension commences in 2007) or the best five years (if
pension commences in 2008 and thereafter) of the entire period of the
person’s working life.
* Supplemented by 1% of the average annual insurable earnings for each
unit of 50 contributions in excess of the first 500 contributions
* Subject to a minimum pension of $46.40 per week.
* The maximum amount which can be awarded as an Invalidity Pension is
60% of a person’s average annual insurable earnings.
Benefit Disqualifications
An insured person who is entitled to receive Invalidity benefit may be
disqualified from receiving such benefit if the claimant:-
* Becomes unable to work through his or her own misconduct
* Fails without good cause to comply with any notice by the Director to
attend or submit one’s self for medical or other examination
* Fails without good cause to attend a course of rehabilitation training
following a written notice by the Director
* Fails without good cause to observe the following rules of behaviour
* To refrain from behaviour calculated to retard his or her recovery or
to answer reasonable questions by an officer of the Board
* Not to absent one’s self from one’s place of residence without leaving
word where you may be found
* To engage in work for which wages would normally be paid.