(1) Any benefit payable under the Act shall be paid —
(a) in the case of sickness benefit, not later than 7 days ;
(b) in the case of funeral expenses not later than 15 days ;
(c) in the case of the first payment in respect of maternity benefit not later than 14 days ;
(d) in the case of the first payment in respect of temporary disablement benefit not later than one month ;
(e) in the case of first payment of permanent disablement benefit not later than one month ;
(f) in the case of first payment of dependant’s benefit not later than three months ;
After the claim therefor together with the relevant medical or other certificates and any other documentary evidence which may be called for under these regulations has been furnished complete in all particulars to the appropriate office.
(2) Second and subsequent payments in respect of any maternity, temporary disablement, permanent disablement or dependants’ benefit shall be paid along with the first payment in respect thereof, or within the calendar month following the month to the whole or part of which they relate, whichever is later subject to production of any documentary evidence which may be required under these regulations.
(3) Where a benefit payment is not made within the time limits specified in sub-regulations (1) and (2) above, it shall be reported to the appropriate Regional Office and shall be paid as soon as possible.
(4) Benefits under the Act shall be paid in cash at a Branch Office on such days and working hours as may be fixed by the Director-General or such other officer of the Corporation, as may be authorised by him from time to time in this behalf or at the option of the claimant and subject to deduction of the cost of remittance by means of postal money orders or other orders payable through a post office, or by any other means which the appropriate office may in the circumstances of any particular case consider appropriate :
Provided that the Corporation may waive the deduction of the cost of remittance in such cases as the Director-General may, from time to time, specify.
Provided further that the Director-General may decide that in respect of certain areas/pay offices as may be specified by him from time to time, the payments shall be remitted through money order also at the cost of the Corporation subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by the Director-General from time to time.
(5) Where the payment of a benefit is to be made at a Branch Office, such office may insist upon the production of the Identity Card or other document issued in lieu thereof in respect of the insured person.
52-A. Abstention verification. — (1) Every employer shall furnish to the appropriate office such information and particulars in respect of the abstention of an insured person from work for which sickness benefit or disablement benefit for temporary disablement, as provided under the Act has been claimed or paid, in Form 10 and within such time as the said office may in writing require in the said form.
(2) Every employer shall furnish to the appropriate office such information and particulars in respect of the abstention of an insured woman from work for which maternity benefit as provided under the Act has been claimed or paid, in Form 10 and within such time as the said office may in writing require in the said form.
CERTIFICATION AND CLAIMS FOR SICKNESS AND TEMPORARY DISABLEMENT