So, you need to know how to apply for a funeral grant from the National Insurance Board (NIB/NIS). My sincere condolences to you. Hopefully, this post will help make a difficult time a little bit easier.
If you are paying for the funeral, you will be entitled to a funeral grant on your loved one’s behalf if he/she-
- made 25 contributions to NIB/NIS while engaged in insurable employment; OR
- was in receipt of Employment Injury Benefit at the time of death or would have been entitled to receive Employment Injury Benefit if he/she didn’t pass away.
Insurable employment means that, while your loved one was making contributions to the NIB, he/she was employed for services with a paycheck of $120.00 or more per week.
It is almost certain that long-standing government workers or salaried employees at large corporations will meet these minimum requirements. It’s not as straightforward if your loved one worked for a small business, in daily-paid work or was self-employed.
How much is the Funeral Grant?
As at August 2023, the funeral grant is $7,500.00, paid by cheque.
Time Period for Applying for a NIB/NIS Funeral Grant
According to the NIB’s website, you must submit a claim/application within 3 months of the date of death. Between 3 and 12 months, your claim may still be allowed for good cause. After 12 months, you will not be able to make a claim.
What Do You Need to Apply ?
Go the your chosen NIB branch (locations here) with originals and copies of the following documents:
- death certificate
- receipt for funeral expenses in the name of the person applying for the grant (as at August 2023, this receipt may represent the down-payment that was made to the funeral home)
- national insurance registration card of the deceased
- valid national picture identification for the deceased
- valid national picture identification for the person applying for the grant
What Is the Process to Apply?
When you arrive at the NIB branch, you will be instructed to use a machine to input the purpose of your visit. The machine will assign you a number and you will be instructed to sit and wait. Your number is assigned according to the type of application or claim that you have. This means that you may see people enter at the same time as you or after you and be seen before you. That’s because they are there for a different purpose.
Once you are at the counter, you will be asked to state your purpose and present the required documents to the NIB staff member. Processing the application/claim takes some time. Once the staff member confirms that your loved one is entitled to the funeral grant benefit and completes your application, you will receive a letter that is titled “Acknowledgment of Benefit Claim”.
It is important to confirm with the staff member when you may return to collect the funeral grant before you leave the counter.
When you return at the appointed time, ensure that you have the letter “Acknowledgement of Benefit Claim” with you. You will be instructed not to approach the counter until your name is called. At the counter, you will be handed the cheque and a letter. Lastly, you must sign a form that indicates that you have received both before leaving the branch.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Funeral Grant?
Funeral grant applications are processed in 1 working day. If you go to the NIB branch early, you may be able to collect your cheque before the branch closes in the afternoon.
Our post on registering a death in Trinidad and Tobago may also be helpful to you.
