Dear Claudienne

I am a fireman by profession. On my way to work in downtown Kingston, in March 2010, I was pushed from a moving bus. The injuries I received resulted in my being off the job for over a hundred days.

I made a report about the incident at the Central Police Station. I also informed the divisional headquarters at York Park what happened.

I submitted a claim to NIS and was told that my claim was being dishonoured because the accident did not occur on the station compound or in a company vehicle.

My grouse is that I was on my way to work and public transport was my only means to get there. There is also a fire brigade rule that states that a fireman is never off duty. I think it is unfair for the NIS to dishonour my claim.

Please have this matter clarified for me.

OP

Dear OP

According to the NIS spokesperson, coverage under the NIS Act depends on certain circumstances.

She listed several examples by way of explaining to Tell Claudienne when a claim would be either legitimate or dishonoured.

For instance, she said that for you to be covered, you would have had to be travelling in a vehicle owned by the fire service. She also said that if you were called out to duty and you drove your private car and an accident occured, you would be covered. You could also make a legitimate NIS claim if you got an assignment and your supervisor instructed you to charter a taxi and an accident occured, the spokesperson said.

However, if you were called out to duty and you travelled on public transport and there was an accident, you would not be covered, she said.

“Each case has to be taken on its own merit and in accordance with the NIS Act regulations,” she concluded.

Good luck.

Reserve, no pension

Dear Claudienne

I was the common-law wife of a sergeant major in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). He worked in the JDF from the 1970s until he died on the job on May 20, 1999. We had two children, a daughter born January 18, 1992, and a son born October 11,1994.

After he died, I was called to Up Park Camp where I was interviewed by two sergeants major. Sometime after that interview, the JDF called me. When I went to the 3JR they gave me a cheque for $25,000 to help with books for my son. They gave me no money to assist with my daughter. They told me that the sum was the only money I would receive from the JDF.

Last year I got a lawyer to write to the JDF but up to now they have not replied to his letter.

I believe that his two children should have received some funds and help from the government. Could you have this matter clarified for me as I would like to know what were my children’s entitlements.

ML

Dear ML

Tell Claudienne contacted the Ministry of Finance. We have been advised by the Director, Superannuation, Public Service Establishment Division, Office of the Cabinet, that the deceased was attached to the JDF Reserve. Dependents of members of the reserve are not eligible for any benefits, the director said.

“Members of the Reserve are not entitled to a pension under the Defence (Retired Pay, Pensions and Other Grants) Regulations. Consequently, the dependents are not eligible for any benefit,” the director said.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.