The National Insurance Corporation has issued a clarification regarding sickness benefit claims amid increasing public questions about the circumstances under which contributors qualify for payments under the scheme.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, NIC Communications Manager Shervon Alfred explained that sickness benefits are governed by specific legal requirements outlined in the corporation’s regulations.
“The National Insurance Corporation wishes to clarify the requirements governing eligibility for sickness benefits,” Alfred stated.
Quoting directly from Regulation 29 of the National Insurance Corporation Act and Regulations, Alfred explained that benefits are payable only under defined medical circumstances.
“Regulation 29 of the National Insurance Corporation Act and Regulations states, quote, sickness benefit shall be payable to an insured person who is rendered temporarily incapable of work as a result of a specific disease or physical or mental disablement which is not an employment injury nor caused by habitual use of alcoholic liquor, narcotics, or drugs other than those taken under the prescription of a registered medical practitioner,” Alfred said.
According to the NIC, concerns have arisen because some medical certificates submitted to the corporation have cited social or personal issues instead of medically recognized illnesses or disabilities.
“From time to time the NIC receives medical certificates that reference social, personal, or family circumstances rather than a specific disease or disablement,” Alfred explained.
As a result, the corporation is reminding contributors that such circumstances do not satisfy the legal requirements for sickness benefit payments.
“Consequently, NIC wishes to remind contributors that sickness benefits will not be paid where claims reference social, personal, or family circumstances of a contributor rather than his or her specific disease or disablement,” he stated.
Alfred stressed that the NIC remains committed to ensuring all claims are handled fairly and in accordance with the governing legislation.
“The NIC remains committed to determining all claims fairly in accordance with the Act and Regulations governing the corporation,” he added.
The clarification comes as the corporation continues efforts to improve public understanding of the benefits system and the criteria required for successful claims.