Pensioners now have to download NIS sickness benefit form from internet

Dear Editor,

When I went recently to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) headquarters at Brickdam to make a claim for sickness benefit, I was informed by several of the staff there that the Scheme no longer provides blank claims forms, SB6A and SB6 to claimants.

I was further informed that if one wants to make a medical claim he/she must get those blank forms from the internet by downloading them and then get a copy printed.

Editor, we know that this is the internet age, but how many of the pensioners in the twilight of their life are computer literate to download these claims forms and then print them? Some may have to purchase a computer and a printer to complete this unnecessary process. Also some may have to take a course/lesson to learn to use a computer.

Some people I spoke to about this claimed that this is how the National Insurance Scheme is trying to reclaim large sums of money recklessly spent and invested.

I think that this decision should be reconsidered.

And finally Editor, we are now in the first quarter of this year, 2012 and NIS pensioners are not being informed by the Board of Directors, if their pension for this year would be increased.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)