Self-employed
A Self-employed person is distinct from an employee in that he works for himself. He is not employed as part of the business of another, neither is his work integrated into the business of another, but is only accessory to it, or, it is done by him, on his own account. Generally, such a person controls the terms and conditions under which he works.
Registration
The Social Security Act provides that every Self-employed person between the ages of 16 and the Retirement age, ordinarily resident in Montserrat, who is engaged in employment in Montserrat, must apply for registration as an insured person.
In order to get registered, a Self-employed person is required to present:
- The original copies of his Passport or valid picture ID, Birth Certificate and marriage certificate (if married), and
- Evidence of the income earned in the operation of his business
- A completed Self Employed Registration form.
Benefits
It is of interest to note that while the total Social Security contributions payable on behalf of an employee is 8% of his Average Weekly Insurable Earnings (AWIE), the minimum Pension which he may qualify for is 20% of his AWIE. Additionally, the Short-term Benefits he may qualify for is paid at the rate of 60% of his AWIE.
The benefits provided are divided into three categories as follows:
Short Term Benefits
These are benefits that are generally payable for a short duration of time (not exceeding 26 weeks or 6 months), and are meant to partially replace employment income lost as a result of temporary absence from work. Qualifying claimants are paid a maximum 60% of their average income during the period of time that they are medically certified to be incapable of work. A person in receipt of Short-term benefit is responsible for informing the MSS office if there is any change of circumstances affecting his continued rights to such benefit.
The Short-Term Benefits being paid by MSSF are as follows:
Long Term Benefits
Long-term Benefits are generally payable for a longer duration of time than Short-term Benefits which are paid for a maximum period of 26 weeks. The quantum of benefit payable is a function of the number of Contributions (or Credits) which a person has recorded against his account, and his average income for the best 7 years of the last 15 years prior to his date of eligibility. Having determined the Claimant’s Average earnings, the Claimant is usually paid a percentage of that Average Earnings. The percentage payable depends on the number of Credits which the person has earned during his working life up to the date that the claim was made.
The Long-term benefits being paid by MSSF are as follows:
- Age Benefit
- Age Grant
- Invalidity Benefit
- Invalidity Grant
- Survivors’ Benefit
- Survivors’ Grant
- Funeral Grant
In addition, a lump sum Funeral Grant is provided to assist with the burial expenses of an Insured Person, his or her spouse, and/or dependent children. The Grant is payable to the person(s) who has met, or is liable to meet the burial expenses.
Employment Injury Benefits
These are benefits that are payable as a direct consequence of an occupational hazard. The benefits being paid under the Employment Injury Branch are as follows: