Mobile App For National Insurance & Social Security Service Next Year

The mobile application being developed by the National Insurance and Social Security Service(NISSS), in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is expected to be operational by next year.

Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Colin Jordan, shared this on Wednesday with media representatives, on the sidelines of the Design Workshop for the NISSS’ App, at Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St. Michael.

Stressing that he was not putting any timelines on the project, Mr. Jordan said: “Too many people put timelines, sometimes unrealistic. I think … after this workshop, we would have … a better idea of what the timeline could be, but at this point, I’m not putting a timeline on it.

“I would just say that … I would expect that before the end of the year, the calendar year, that we would have, if not fully functional, at least a beta version, that is in full test mode, that some people are using. But I believe that seven months should be sufficient time. This is a technological age, so I don’t believe that we should go to 2026 without an app.”

The Minister had earlier commended the NISSS and the IDB for working together to design the project, and the several participants who agreed to be part of the process. He encouraged them to recognise their “important role” in ensuring the application would serve the people for whom it was intended.  

“We have to understand that this technology is about people, not just people using the technology. But with respect to Social Security, it is about people, their benefits, particularly at times when they feel vulnerable – sick, laid off, terminated, going into pension and retirement.

“This application services people at vulnerable points in their lives. The responsibility is on your shoulders to make sure that the outcome of all of this discussion will help those people at those particularly vulnerable points in their lives. Let’s work together, recognising that this is … people-centred work and that you, by participating, are making an essential difference as we develop this application to serve the people of this country.”

Participants at the workshop included pensioners, retirees, self-employed people, employers, employees and according to the NISSS “future customers – young person who are now starting to pay into the fund”.

Minister Jordan, outlining other aspects of the mobile application, said it was intended to provide information on benefits for which users are entitled and would allow persons to see their contributions status.

He continued: “Self-employed people can see how much money, if they haven’t been keeping track, themselves. They can see how much money is being paid. You can also have a situation where an employee, recognising that there are deductions from their pay financial insurance, can go on and see if those deductions are being submitted to the National Insurance and Social Security Service.

“And, if the forms are being submitted, they’ll be able to see if these forms are going in, but no money is being paid in. So, those kinds of things…. They will be able to see that information from their cell phone.”

In response to concerns by pensioners and others who may be uncomfortable with technology, the Labour Minister stressed that the technology would not be the only way of accessing the NISSS’ information. “We will not be taking out the telephones; we will not be discontinuing the e-mail address; we will not take down the website. This is an additional avenue….

“We want to make sure that the application, whenever it is finished and launched, does not only speak to young people but the application is also one that has benefited from the input of older people, people who are currently pensioners,” he stated.

Minister Jordan added that the consultation was not intended to be the only one, and as prototypes are developed, they would be tested and critiqued. (PR/GIS) pictures compliments (NISSS)