Dear Claudienne,

My husband and I are both NIS pensioners and we have a daughter who is severely disabled.

My husband, who has been diagnosed with cancer, is very ill and since June-July, 2025 he has been unable to sign his pension cheques based on his debilitating health. However, his NIS pension money is urgently needed to help with his medical expenses.

When I went to the NIS Ripon Road office and informed them that my husband was unable to sign for the cheques, an officer told me that I could apply to be the agent for my husband. However, she said that I would have to wait six months to one year for my application to be his agent to be approved.

In September 2025 I applied to be my husband’s NIS agent but as I am also experiencing major health problems, the lengthy NIS approval process is adding more stress to my family’s financial situation.

I urgently seek your help.

NL

Dear NL,

Tell Claudienne brought your plight to the attention of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The ministry has informed the column that an officer from the Ripon Road NIS office has interviewed you and your husband. The ministry said that the form to facilitate your appointment as your husband’s agent was completed and signed by you.

The Ripon Road NIS office has informed the column that both your husband’s name and your name will be on the pension cheques your husband will receive from the NIS office as of January 2025.

Please take the pension cheque book(s) that your husband was unable to sign since June/July 2025, to the NIS Ripon Road office to find out what you need to do to get the payments.

We wish you all the best.

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