Widow waits on NIB for grant

Gopaul told The People’s Hotline that after her husband died on June 16, she applied for a widow’s benefit from NIB on June 22. She claimed that she was told by officials at the Siparia and San Fernando branches that she would be contacted as soon as her application was processed. However, to date, Gopaul said, she has not received any word from NIB on the matter.

Gopaul, a single parent of three, says that making ends meet has become a difficult task and the widow’s benefit will assist her in taking care of her monthly expenses. She is appealing to the NIB to give her some word on the status of her application.

On calling NIB Siparia branch, an official told The People’s Hotline that the matter had to be referred to the Public Relations (PR) Department at NIB Head Office in Port-of-Spain. When Hotline called the PR Department, the calls went to voice mail.