(A) Invalidity Pension

(Four-weekly Cash Benefit) Invalidity comes about as a result of Sickness

PENSIONERS: Existing pensions have increased by at least 20%. Minimum pensions have increased from $1,820 to $2,444 yearly. All new pensions are more substantial and realistic.

How to qualify for Invalidity Pension

YOU MUST

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

TIME REQUIREMENT

• Be under 60 years

• Be an invalid, according to the Social Security Act; i.e. unable to carry out any kind of work

• Be sick for 13 consecutive weeks

• Have 150 paid contributions since 1981

• Have 110 paid contributions in the 5 years before invalidity commenced

• Have 5 paid or credited contributions, in 13 weeks before illness that led to invalidity

• Present a medical certificate, stating cause of illness causing invalidity on INV1 form

• Claim must be signed and dated by a registered doctor in Belize.

• Claim must be signed and dated by the insured contributor

• An assessment by a medical board, set up by Social Security, must confirm invalidity

• Present Social Security card, passport or birth certificate when making claim

• Must provide bank account or an account number from any other financial institution.

• Invalid insured contributor obtains Invalidity Benefit Claim Form (INV1)
 

Please click here to download form INV1

• Submit claim on prescribed form within 13 weeks of the date that you become entitled to claim invalidity benefit

• No sum shall be paid, for any period more than 26 weeks before the date that the claim is made

How much and for how long is the Invalidity Pension?

Rate of Benefit Payment

Period of Benefit Payment

• Formula: Sum of insurable earnings in best 3 years of contributions ÷ 150 x 30% = weekly pension

OR

• If less than 500 paid or credited contributions, 25% of Average Weekly Insurable Earning

* Minimum Pension is $47 per week

• Continues for as long as insured contributor remains an invalid; i.e. unable to carry out any kind of work

(B) INVALIDITY GRANT (One Lump Sum payment)
Invalidity comes about as a result of Sickness

How to qualify for Invalidity Grant

YOU MUST

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

TIME REQUIREMENT

• Be under 60 years

• Be an invalid, according to the Social Security Act; i.e. unable to carry out any kind of work

• Be sick for 13 consecutive weeks

• Invalidity grant is paid if pension is not payable, and the insured contributor has a minimum of 26 paid contributions

• Present a medical certificate, stating cause of illness causing invalidity on INV1 form

• Claim must be signed and dated by a registered doctor in Belize.

• Claim must be signed and dated by the insured contributor

• An assessment by a medical board, set up by Social Security, must confirm invalidity

• Invalid insured contributor obtains Invalidity Benefit Claim Form (INV1)

Please click here to download form INV1

• Submit claim on prescribed form within 13 weeks of the date that you become entitled to claim invalidity benefit

• No sum shall be paid, for any period more than 26 weeks before the date that the claim is made

How much is the Invalidity Grant?

Rate of Benefit Payment

Period of Benefit Payment

• Formula: 6 x sum of insurable earnings in best 3 years of contributions ÷ 150 x units of 50 contributions

OR

• 2.5 x sum of weekly insurable earnings ÷ number of contributions x units of 50 contributions

• Social Security pays the higher amount calculated with the above formulas

* Minimum Grant is $800

• One-time payment