Dear Claudienne, Good day. I have been an overseas voluntary contributor to the NHT for the past 12 years.

For the past four years I was able to collect my refunds through the Jamaica National Money Services (JNMS) remittance system without any problem.

When I attempted to apply in February 2026 for my 2018 refund on the NHT website, and selected JNMS as the payment method, a message appeared stating that I could only receive the refund through a Jamaican bank account. I do not have such an account and have no plans to open one at this time.

I called the NHT customer service three times and was told that my refund could not be done through the remittance service. I asked them if this was only temporary, and the last person that I spoke to told me that it might never happen again. I asked her if I could have someone in Jamaica collect my refund, and she said no. Mind you, there are over 10,000 voluntary contributors in the Diaspora, and we were not even accorded the courtesy of being informed of the policy change by the NHT. I have now stopped my contributions.

Since I have contributions from 2018-2025, even though I am not retired, can you please find out if I can visit their Kingston office to retrieve my eight remaining years of refund.

Thanks for your kind and sincere assistance.

S. R.

Dear SR

After Tell Claudienne contacted the NHT about your concerns you received the following response from the trust: “Thank you for your inquiry regarding your contributions refund. Refunds to eligible contributors residing overseas are processed through a Jamaican commercial bank account. Some financial institutions offer services that allow customers abroad to open and operate local accounts or access funds through affiliated arrangements overseas. Please be assured that the National Housing Trust remains committed to facilitating payment of refunds to all eligible contributors.

Should you require any further clarification you may reach out via return email or telephone.”

As you had not been told how your remaining funds could be retrieved, you told the column that you still found this NHT response “puzzling”. So Tell Claudienne then sought clarification from the Office of the Cabinet and from the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister as to how the NHT could refund your eight years of voluntary contributions.

You informed the column that the NHT contacted you in August and explained that a sum would be transferred to your account annually until you are refunded the eight remaining years of voluntary contributions.

On September 16 the NHT sent you an email that stated as follows: “The transaction to transfer the refund amount of US$261.62 to the account noted on the EBDA form was completed. The CITI F/x Rate was J159.50=US1.00. Please note that there is the possibility that the sum noted may be less, dependent on applicable charges that may be applied for the transfer. It is expected that the amount should be reflected in the account on or before Friday, September 18, to confirm receipt of same.” We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility, or company? Telephone 876- 936-9436 or CELL/whatsapp # 876484-1349 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.