How do I qualify? To qualify for Sickness Benefit you must: 1. have paid not fewer than 7 contributions in the contribution quarter but one before the quarter in which you became ill 2. have been working before becoming sick or 3. have no fewer than 39 contributions paid or credited to your account in the four consecutive quarters ending with the quarter but one before the quarter in which you became ill When am I not entitled to the benefit? If you are out of the island, you won't receive Sickness Benefit, unless you were out temporarily to receive medical treatment for an illness which began before you left Barbados. Will I get the benefit for the first three days of sick leave? No, these are "waiting days" and you will not receive benefit for this time unless your illness lasts for 3 weeks or more. How is Sickness Benefit calculated? The daily rate for the benefit is 66 2/3% of your average insurable weekly earnings, divided by 6. Can I see an example? Suppose you earn $500 per week.
The rate for your sickness benefit is: 66 2/3 % of $500 divided by 6 = $55.55 a day For more information download the NIS Guide to Benefits booklet which you can view in Adobe Acrobat. If you don't have Acrobat, click here to download it. Have more questions or need to clearly understand the terms used? Take a look through the FAQ or the Glossary in the Information Zone. |
