FS Announces Categories of Workers to Receive NIB Unemployment Assistance under Expanded Programme

Wed, Jul 1st 2020, 04:30 PM

Acting Financial Secretary (FS) Marlon Johnson stated that $48 million has been allocated to finance an expansion of the Government’s unemployment assistance programs, administered by the National Insurance Board (NIB), for workers that fall under four categories during a virtual press conference held on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The FS noted that Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis had addressed the extension of the Government’s Unemployment Assistance Programme during his 2020/21 Budget Communication and now the mandate from the Prime Minister is being implemented.

The four categories of workers will include:

• Self-employed tourism workers who remain unemployed and were receiving assistance prior to July 1;

• Hurricane Dorian survivors who remain unemployed and were receiving unemployment assistance prior to July 1;

• NIB contributors who are under 35 years old, who were unemployed during the COVID-19 shutdown but did not meet the contribution threshold to receive a benefit;

• For individuals who have maxed out their 13-weeks of eligibility under the ordinary National Insurance unemployment benefit scheme.

The FS noted that the National Insurance Board will release additional details about the process to apply for self-employed tourism workers, Hurricane Dorian survivors and unemployed young people who are NIB contributors.

However, the first payments for NIB Beneficiaries that are eligible for the 13-week extension are scheduled to be issued on July 17 under the new initiative.

Mr. Johnson said persons will be required to declare their employment status using an online portal prior to receiving payment. The portal will be available in approximately two weeks.

He also explained nine things to know about the 13-week NIB extension:

• The 13-Week Extension is a form of Government unemployment assistance that is being administered by NIB. It is not an extension of a NIB insurable benefit.

• The new government assistance programme covers NIB beneficiaries who were unemployed between March 23 and June 30 and were previously receiving NIB unemployment benefit payments.

• The extension is valid for 13 additional weeks for individuals who have maxed out their initial 13-week NIB benefit.

• NIB beneficiaries will be eligible to receive $150 per week in government assistance for a maximum of 13-weeks of unemployment up and until March 23, 2021.

• Applications will only be valid if an individual’s unemployment is directly because of COVID-19 and there is no change of employer.

• Payments will be issued on the 14th and 28th of every month (except the first payment which will be issued on Friday, July 17)

• Applicants will have to declare employment status using an online validation form.

Payments will be held until declarations are submitted prior to each pay cycle.

• The online declaration form will be available by July 13.

• No cheque payments will be made through this programme: Only direct bank deposits or deposits into an Island Pay digital wallet.

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