THE FACTS
JOHN Thela from Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion, told SunDefender that he got sick at work last February.
He was admitted to hospital for a month, where after he returned to work but then collapsed while on duty.
His doctor gave him a letter, stating that he was not fit to return to work and his employer gave him his provident fund withdrawal form.
He said before he could get his provident funds, he was supposed to have been receiving 75% of his salary, of which he didn’t.
WHAT I DID
I contacted the Metal Industries Benefit Funds Administrators (MIBFA) to investigate.
SOLUTION
Michele Cloete-Collopen from MIBFA confirmed that the member’s disability benefit application was received in June last year.
He was required to visit a specialist physician to obtain a second opinion.
The medical assessor’s report was received last month.
Once the member’s previous employer has provided the scheme with further information, the member will be advised of the details of the disability benefit payable.
Provident fund benefits will only be paid out if the disability benefit is no longer payable. That is if he recovers from ill health, retires, opts to claim his lump sum withdrawal benefit or dies.
