The Coronavirus Pandemic
Temporary Unemployment Benefit
The current and anticipated debilitating impact of COVID-19 on the lives and livelihoods of our people require, among other things, targeted, timely and temporary responses by Social Protection Systems. The NIS, which serves as a vital social protection pillar, will continue its mandate of protecting its people in uncertain times. Accordingly, the NIS has implemented the COVID-19 Temporary Unemployment Benefit for workers who have been laid-off as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Eligibility | Qualifying Conditions | Support of Claim | Commencement of Payment |
| Insured Person | Insured Person | Layoff certificate from employer and a letter with list of laid off employees. | From the later date: April 17th 2020 or the 15th consecutive day of unemployment. |
| Under pensionable age (62 years old). | At least 26 weekly contributions, 8 of which must be within the 13 weeks preceding unemployment. | “Declaration of unemployment status form” from the employee. | |
| Laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Timing of Claiming | Closure Date | Benefit Rate | Payment Frequency |
| Submitted within 20 days subsequent of the date of employment. | The earlier of July 17th, 2020 or the depletion of the fund. | $75.00 per week. | Fortnightly via direct deposit. |
Advanced Pension Payment
Fashioned an advanced pension payment to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of pensioners and to help them prepare for likely restrictions on opening hours for businesses. As such, the next two monthly pension payments will be made early. Implementation is on April 3rd, 2020 for the 4-week period March 30th, 2020 to April 25th, 2020. This will be followed by a payment on April 30th, 2020, which will cover the 4-week period from April 27th, 2020 to May 23rd, 2020. Regular fortnightly payment will resume on June 5th, 2020.