Each week, the Guardian Angel column highlights complaints sent in by you, the consumer, and provides ready solutions or directs you to the appropriate resource.Problem: Retiree Yvette Nelson from Cocorite said she had applied for her NIS retirement benefit since September 2010.Ms Nelson said, "Having visited the NIS office over 40 times inquiring about my retirement benefit, I am yet to get my retirement benefits."According to NIS records, she had accumulated 638 payments and needed 112 more to meet the required 750 payments to qualify for the retirement benefit.Ms Nelson said she submitted a letter to NIB on January 15, from George A Joseph (Umbala), which said she had worked at his company, Fun City Foods, from July 1978 to June 1980 on a full-time basis.
The payments for this period would bring Ms Nelson over the 750 threshold so she could receive her pension.Ms Nelson said, "Since my application in September 2010, I have received one payment that the NIS office calls an interim payment, in the sum of $4,036."I am a T&T citizen who has worked and paid into the NIS retirement system with the understanding that when the time comes to be compensated I will be compensated."Since she has submitted her documents three times already, as NIB lost all her files, she hopes the Guardian Angel can either resolve her issue or direct her to someone who can help.Solution: When NIB was contacted, Guardian Angel was told that while Ms Nelson did submit a letter from Mr Joseph, it does not state Ms Nelson's salary or the contribution amounts paid to NIB. As a result, the letter cannot be used to allocate contributions for the missing period.NIB said the matter is still pending and as soon as a decision is made, Ms Nelson will be notified.
No maternity benefits
Problem: Chaguanas resident Ayanna Antoine said after having her baby in March, her company applied for her maternity benefits on her behalf in July.Ms Antoine said, "Since then, the NIB have been requesting letters for late submission and other documents."All that they have requested, my company has forwarded to them."Despite this, Ms Antoine said she has not received her maternity benefit from NIB.In fact, at each of her three visits to the Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, office, she was told the documents were on a manager's desk awaiting approval.Solution: NIB said Ms Antoine's application was accepted by the service centre on August 7. It has since been processed and is currently awaiting authorisation.NIB promises to expedite the matter and Ms Antoine should receive her maternity benefits by the end of September or early October.
Even as you're encouraged to take the appropriate routes for addressing your complaints, the Guardian Angel is here to assist you. You can send the Guardian Angel an e-mail about your problem and what steps you took to deal with the matter.The Guardian Angel looks forward to hearing from you and bringing some relief to your problems.
E-mail her at angel@guardian.co.ttPlease include your name, address and telephone number as we'll need them to follow up with you.
Unfortunately, owing to the volume of e-mails and limited space, it is impossible to address every complaint, no matter how worthy or acknowledge receipt of every e-mail.