The Tribune

The National Insurance Board (NIB) says it is proactively working to assist Abaco and Grand Bahama residents seeking to replace National Insurance smart cards lost in Hurricane Dorian.

It said its registration department has taken steps to simplify the application process for replacement cards. The official police report required for all lost or stolen cards is not required to replace cards lost during the storm, and the card replacement fee will be waived for residents in the affected islands.

Application forms for replacement NI cards were made available at shelters throughout New Providence for displaced persons to complete. The forms are collected daily, processed and the replacement cards are delivered within 48 hours for Bahamian registrants who were already in receipt of a smart card.

This service includes non-Bahamians who previously had smart cards and, where relevant, current valid documents exist in NIB’s system (a valid Immigration card, naturalisation or permanent residency certification).

Registrants, including children, who were never issued a smart card will be required to visit an NIB office and provide the necessary documents.

NIB replaced 438 smart cards last week, and will continue to work with beneficiaries hardest hit by the storm.