ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION CONCERNED SURVIVOR BENEFIT RULE IS UNFAIR

The Antigua and Barbuda Ecclesiastical Commission is advocating for changes to how social security survivor benefits are applied.

Chairman Reverend Dr Emmanuel Elizée says the current system does not treat both spouses equally.

He tells ABS News the commission has raised the matter with cabinet.

According to the Social Security Board’s rules, a widow can qualify for survivor’s benefit simply based on her age or length of marriage.

A widower, however, must have been an invalid and mainly supported by his wife before her death to qualify for the same benefit.

Dr Elizée says the commission has formally asked cabinet to make that standard equitable, regardless of who paid into the system.