KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s National Housing Trust (NHT) has initiated a comprehensive verification drive to bolster its security framework, requesting approximately 1,000 contribution refund applicants to resubmit their claims through enhanced channels. The move aims to reinforce system integrity and prevent fraudulent activities while ensuring accurate disbursement of funds.
During a recent JIS Think Tank session on February 5, Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at NHT, emphasized that the validation checks are critical for maintaining operational accuracy. “Our primary objective is to safeguard both the institution and our contributors from errors and malicious claims,” Berbick stated.
The NHT is actively encouraging applicants to utilize its official online portal for resubmission, citing improved convenience and heightened security measures. Berbick reassured contributors that processing times have been drastically reduced from 15 days to just four or five days, thanks to systemic upgrades and streamlined procedures. “We urge applicants not to feel discouraged. The resubmission process is now faster and more efficient, ensuring prompt refunds once verified,” he added.
Cameo Simmons Thomas, Supervisor for the Contributions, Refunds, Payments and Monitoring Unit, highlighted the importance of precise personal and banking details. She explained that even minor discrepancies—such as missing hyphens, spaces, or accent marks—can cause significant delays, as each application undergoes rigorous cross-verification with banking institutions. “Consistency across all documents is essential. The account must be primarily held by the applicant, and the registered name must exactly match NHT and bank records,” Thomas noted.
To date, the NHT has disbursed over $5 billion in refunds, demonstrating its commitment to both efficiency and fraud prevention. The organization continues to advocate for digital submissions to minimize errors and accelerate processing.