THE THREE MAJOR BRANCHES OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

a. Long-term Benefits Branch

Retirement Benefits are paid to insured persons who are 65 years of age (and older) or 60 to 64 and not employed.

Invalidity Benefits are paid to insured persons under 60 years who are medically certified by Social Security Medical Board as permanently unable to do any type of work because of an illness.

Survivors' Benefits are paid to the widow/widower, children or parents of a deceased insured person whose death was not caused by a work-related injury. The spouse, if no spouse the person who incurred the funeral expenses of a deceased insured person may receive a Funeral Grant.

In order for a Long-term Benefit to be paid there are contribution conditions to be met.  With the exception of the Funeral Grant, payments for these benefits can be in the form of pensions or grants, determined by the number of contributions paid.

b. Short-term Benefits Branch

Maternity Benefits are paid to Insured Women who are on Maternity leave from work because of their pregnancy and confinement.

Maternity Allowance is paid weekly for a maximum period of 14 weeks.

Maternity Grant is a lump sum payment made upon confinement.  Maternity Grant may be paid to an Insured Man if his wife does not qualify for the benefit.

Sickness Benefit is paid for up to 26 weeks to an insured person under 65 years who is temporarily unable to work because of an illness and who is employed when he or she becomes ill.

To qualify for Short-term Benefits, there are qualifying conditions to be met by the insured person.

c. Employment Injury Benefits Branch

This branch of benefits provides coverage for an insured person who suffers an employment injury, that is a personal injury or death by way of an accident at work or a disease caused by the type of work he or she does.

Injury Benefit is paid for up to 26 weeks to an insured person who is temporarily unable to work as a result of an employment injury.

An insured person who has suffered an employment injury is entitled to receive Medical Care free of cost, at any Government medical facility or at a private Social Security Board approved medical provider.  Social Security pays the Government or the private provider to provide medical care treatment (with pre-arranged payment rates).  If the required medical treatment cannot be obtained in Belize, Social Security pays for the treatment provided abroad.

If an employment injury results in disability, whether partial or total, Disablement Benefit is payable.  Depending on the degree of disability, a grant or a pension is paid.
If an insured person is totally disabled and requires the constant attendance of another person, he or she may receive a Constant Attendance Allowance in addition to a pension.   

Death Benefit is pension paid to the widow/widower, children or parents of a deceased insured person whose death was caused by an employment injury.  A Funeral Grant is also payable to a person who has incurred the funeral expenses.

There are no contribution conditions to be met to qualify for Employment Injury Benefits.