Pensioner concerned about benefits

A PENSIONER from Couva is concerned over his inability to access benefits from the National Insurance Board (NIB). Krishna Deopersad, 60, of New Settlement, Dow Village said he has not been able to get his invalidity benefit and pension since last December.

Deopersad said he has visited the NIB’s office in Couva, where he regularly goes to collect his cheques, to find out when he would be receiving his cheques. He said on the times that he visited, he was unable to speak to any manager or supervisor about his concerns.

He said a security guard advised him to call the toll-free phone number which the NIB has asked its customers to call if they have queries. Deopersad said the situation has been challenging for him because he suffers from cardiac-related ailments.

He explained the money he receives from his invalidity benefit and pension help him to purchase his medication and pay his utility bills. Deopersad was concerned that measures implemented by the NIBTT as part of the national response to curb the spread of covid19 may have made the process for him to receive his money more difficult.

He appealed to officials in the NIB to assist him and address his concerns. Efforts to contact officials at the NIB for comment were unsuccessful. In March, the NIB announced several measures to protect customers and staff against the spread of covid19.

These included provision of hand sanitisers for customers and staff ; the use of drop-boxes for quick depositing of claims and other documents at NIB’s locations; the mailing of receipts for claims deposited in drop-boxes and encouraging customers to call the NIB’s toll free number (868) 625-4NIS or contact the NIB online at customercare@nibtt.net