Invalidity benefit
Invalidity benefit is a cash benefit payable to an insured person who has not yet reached  the pensionable age, but is unable to take part in any further employment because of illness that is likely to remain permanent. Invalidity benefit may be either a pension or a grant.

What is invalidity pension?
Invalidity pension is a monthly payment, payable to an insured person who has paid contributions for at least three years before the invalidity began.

What is invalidity grant?
Invalidity grant is a lump sum (one-time) payment payable to an insured person who does not satisfy the qualifying conditions for an invalidity pension, but has paid at least 52 weeks or 12 months of contributions.

An invalidity grant is $1200 or 3/4 of the total contributions paid, whichever is greater.

How is invalidity pension calculated?
The amount paid for Invalidity pension depends on the insured person’s annual weekly insurable earnings and the number of contributions paid into the Scheme. The average insurable weekly earnings is the total earnings of the five best contribution years in the last 10 contribution years, before the year in which the invalidity began, divided by 5. Where the number of years contributed is less than five, the average will be used over those years.

The rate of pension is 25% of the average annual insurable earnings for the first 500 contributions thereafter, up to a maximum of 50%.

When should an invalidity benefit claim be made?
The doctor must issue a medical report stating that the illness is such that is likely to prevent the patient from taking part in any further employment.

The medical certificate must then be submitted to the Social Security office where an application will be made for an invalidity benefit.

At this point, a second opinion by one of the Social Security doctors will be required.

IMPORTANT

Invalidity beneficiaries who are resident in Antigua & Barbuda are to submit a medical report at the end of each year advising of invalidity status. Failure to do this will result in a discontinuation of the invalidity benefit until the medical report is received.

Overseas invalidity beneficiaries are to supply a medical report at the end of June and the end of December each year. Medical reports need to be certified by a medical practitioner resident in Antigua & Barbuda. Failure to submit a medical report will result in a discontinuation of the invalidity benefit until the medical report is received.