Each week, the Guardian Angel column highlights complaints sent in by you, the consumer, and provides solutions or directs you to the appropriate resource.
Problem: Florida resident Franklyn Ramlochan said: “I originally made a claim for NIB benefits in 2001 and was told that I did not have enough contributions to qualify for a monthly pension.” Mr Ramlochan said he accepted what he was told by the clerk at the NIB office in Barataria, and in 2002 he was paid a lump sum. But, he said: “In 2008, I was made aware that maybe, like almost everyone who contributed to the scheme, there were deductions missing from my personal statement.”
Mr Ramlochan said, “To my surprise an entire year was omitted...I asked my then employer, PTSC, to furnish me with a copy of deductions for that period. I went back to the Barataria office and was told with this new development I had to make an appeal to the NIB tribunal, which I did on May 13, 2013.” Mr Ramlochan said since getting a letter from the tribunal saying his claim was received, he has had little feedback from NIB.
He said: “I was told that it was sent to the Chaguanas operations office. Since then I have called NIB many times, was transferred but no one answered.”
Solution: Mr Ramlochan’s retirement appeal is currently being addressed by NIB’s insurance operations department, as mandated by the tribunal.
Problem: Aphzal Mohammed from Chaguanas said he submitted his sickness benefit claim to the NIB Chaguanas service centre in February 2012 and up to now he is still waiting for his compensation. Mr Mohammed said he sent his first letter to NIB in June 2013 and received an acknowledgment letter dated August 15. He also sent a second letter in September 2013. He said he complied with all the requests from NIB, including a visit to Dr Neil Persad, but to date his claims have not been paid.
Mr Mohammed said: “I have written to the executive director, Ms Karen Gopaul, on three occasions. I have written to the (NIB) chairman, Mr Adrian Bharath; Minister Larry Howai; the Ombudsman and the Prime Minister, but to no avail.”
Solution: Mr Mohammed’s sickness application is under review by the NIB’s medical adviser. It is currently pending, awaiting additional information directly from the doctor who attended to Mr Mohammed.
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.tt
Please 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.