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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2005</h1>
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<h1>Dominica</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: US$1.00 equals 2.70 East Caribbean dollars (EC$).</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1970 (provident fund).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1975 (social security).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<p>Note: Government-financed social assistance benefits are administered by the Division of Social Welfare.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employees, self-employed persons, voluntary contributors, and apprentices aged&nbsp;16 to 60.</p>
<p>There are no special systems for any specified groups of employees.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 3% of gross earnings.</p>
<p>There are no minimum earnings for contribution purposes.</p>
<p>The maximum annual earnings for contribution purposes are EC$60,000.</p>
<p>The insured's contributions also finance sickness and maternity benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> 7.65% of declared net earnings.</p>
<p>The minimum declared annual earnings for contribution purposes are EC$600.</p>
<p>The maximum annual earnings for contribution purposes are EC$60,000.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 6.75% of gross earnings. (Employers also contribute on their own behalf as self-employed persons.)</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension:</span> Aged&nbsp;60 or older with at least 500&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions, including at least 150 paid contributions.</p>
<p>Early pension: There is no early pension.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: A deferred pension is possible.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age grant:</span> Payable for an insured person aged&nbsp;60 or older who does not meet the qualifying conditions for a pension but has at least 50&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>Old-age benefits are payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension:</span> Permanently incapable of work and younger than age&nbsp;60 with 150&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disability grant:</span> Permanently incapable of work and younger than age&nbsp;60 but does not meet the qualifying conditions for a disability pension.</p>
<p>Incapacity for work is assessed by a medical referee. Reviews of the assessed incapacity for work may be requested by the medical referee.</p>
<p>Disability benefits are payable abroad if the purpose of travel is to receive medical treatment.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> The deceased met the qualifying conditions for an old-age pension or disability pension or was a pensioner at the time of death.</p>
<p>Eligible survivors are the spouse and dependent children younger than age&nbsp;16 (age&nbsp;18 if a full-time student); dependent parents in the absence of other either a spouse or dependent children.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor grant:</span> The deceased did not meet the qualifying conditions for a pension but had at least 150&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>Survivor benefits are payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> The insured must satisfy the qualifying conditions for any benefit. The grant is payable for the death of the insured, the insured's noninsured spouse, and the insured's dependent children.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension:</span> The pension is equal to 30% of the insured's average earnings, plus 2% for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions between 500&nbsp;weeks and 750&nbsp;weeks and 1% for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period above 750.</p>
<p>Average earnings are based on the insured's 3 best years of the last 10&nbsp;years.</p>
<p>The minimum old-age pension is EC$25.</p>
<p>The maximum old-age pension is equal to 70% of the insured's average earnings.</p>
<p>Early pension: There is no early pension.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: The pension is increased by 6% for every complete year of deferral.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age grant:</span> A lump sum equal to three times the insured's average weekly covered earnings for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of paid or credited contributions.</p>
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on total insured earnings divided by the total number of weeks of contributions.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension:</span> The pension is equal to 30% of the insured's average earnings, plus 2% for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of contributions between 500&nbsp;weeks and 750&nbsp;weeks and 1% for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period above 750.</p>
<p>Average earnings are based on the insured's 3&nbsp;best years of the last 10&nbsp;years.</p>
<p>The maximum pension is equal to 70% of average earnings.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disability grant:</span> A lump sum equal to three times the insured's average weekly covered earnings for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of paid or credited contributions.</p>
<p>Average weekly covered earnings are based on total insured earnings divided by the total number of weeks of contributions.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> 50% of the deceased's pension is payable to a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> aged&nbsp;50 or older. If the surviving spouse was married to the deceased for less than 3&nbsp;years or is younger than age&nbsp;50, the <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> receives a limited survivor pension for 1&nbsp;year or for as long as caring for dependent children.</p>
<p>The pension ceases if the surviving spouse remarries or cohabits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> The pension is equal to 25% of the deceased's pension for each of the first two orphans (33% if a full orphan or disabled). If there are more than two orphans, the total pension amount is split equally between them.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly orphan's pension is EC$50.</p>
<p>The maximum total survivor pension is equal to 100% of the deceased's pension.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor grant:</span> A lump sum equal to three times the deceased's average weekly covered earnings for every <span class="nobr">50-week</span> period of paid or credited contributions.</p>
<p>Weekly covered earnings are based on total insured earnings divided by the total number of weeks of contributions.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> A lump sum is payable to the person who meets the cost of the funeral. EC$1,800 is payable for the death of the insured; EC$1,500 for the death of a noninsured spouse; and EC$750 for the death of a dependent child younger than age&nbsp;16 (age&nbsp;18 if a full-time student).</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Health and Social Security provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Governed by the Social Security Board, Dominica Social Security administers the social insurance program.</p>
<p>Division of Social Welfare administers social assistance benefits.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1975 (social security).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system. Cash benefits only.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed persons and apprentices aged&nbsp;16 to 60.</p>
<p>Exclusions: The self-employed.</p>
<p>There are no special systems for any specified groups of employees.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, above.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefits:</span> Must have 13&nbsp;weeks of insured employment immediately before the onset of the incapacity, including 8&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefits:</span> Must have 13&nbsp;weeks of contributions, with at least 20&nbsp;weeks in the <span class="nobr">30-week</span> period before the start of maternity leave.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity grant:</span> Payable to an insured woman or a noninsured spouse of an insured man with at least 26&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions in the <span class="nobr">52-week</span> period before the expected date of childbirth.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> Must be the holder of a Social Security card.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit:</span> The benefit is equal to 60% of average weekly earnings in the last 13&nbsp;weeks and is payable from the first day of incapacity if the incapacity lasts beyond 4&nbsp;days. The benefit is payable for up to 26&nbsp;weeks.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit:</span> The benefit is equal to 60% of average weekly earnings in the last 30&nbsp;weeks and is payable 6&nbsp;weeks before and 6&nbsp;weeks after the expected date of childbirth; in certain cases, the benefit may be payable from 3&nbsp;weeks before and up to 9&nbsp;weeks after the date of childbirth.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity grant:</span> A lump sum of EC$500.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Benefits include a reduction on medical bills, subject to government-stipulated costs and conditions.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>No statutory benefits are provided.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Health and Social Security provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Governed by the Social Security Board, Dominica Social Security administers the program.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1938 (workmen's compensation).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1985 (employment injury and occupational diseases).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Employer-liability system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed persons and apprentices aged&nbsp;16 to 60.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> Total cost. The cost of the program is equal to 1% of employees' gross earnings.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Work injury benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period. The disability must last at least 4&nbsp;days.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>The benefit is equal to 60% of average earnings in the last 13&nbsp;weeks and is payable until the disability ends, subject to a maximum of 26&nbsp;weeks. For an insured person with less than 13&nbsp;weeks of insured earnings, the benefit is the average of the insured weeks, with a minimum number of 2&nbsp;weeks used as the divisor.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>The benefit is based on 60% of average earnings in the last 13&nbsp;weeks and the assessed degree of disability. The benefit is payable until the disability ends. For an insured person with less than 13&nbsp;weeks of insured earnings, the benefit is the average of the insured weeks, with a minimum number of 2&nbsp;weeks used as the divisor.</p>
<p>Constant-attendance allowance: If assessed as 100% disabled, the allowance is equal to 50% of the benefit. The allowance is suspended if the insured is hospitalized.</p>
<p>A lump sum is paid if the assessed degree of disability is more than 1% but less than 30%.</p>
<p>Incapacity for work is assessed by a medical referee. Reviews of the assessed incapacity for work may be requested by the medical referee.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Medical expenses are reimbursed up to a maximum of EC$5,000 for local and overseas treatment.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> 50% of the deceased's pension is payable to a fully or partially dependent <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> aged&nbsp;50 or older.</p>
<p>The pension ceases if the surviving spouse remarries or cohabits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> The pension is equal to 25% of the deceased's pension (33% if a full orphan or disabled) for each of the fist two dependent children younger than age&nbsp;16 (age&nbsp;18 if a full-time student). If there are more than two orphans, the total pension amount is split equally among them.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly orphan's pension is EC$50.</p>
<p>The maximum total survivor pension is 100% of the deceased's pension.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> EC$1,800 is payable for the death of the insured; EC$1,500 for the death of a noninsured spouse; and EC$750 for the death of a dependent child younger than age&nbsp;16 (age&nbsp;18 if a full-time student).</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Health and Social Security provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Governed by the Social Security Board, Dominica Social Security administers the program.</p>
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