Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Death Gratuity Payment: Benefits, Process and Delay Factors.
Many teachers have inquired about the amount paid by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) upon a teacher’s demise and the duration required for the payment to be processed.
Upon the death of a teacher, a benefit known as death gratuity is disbursed. This pension is provided to dependants in cases where a teacher passes away while on duty. The payment is directed to the spouse and/or dependants of the deceased teacher.
Ideally, the processing period for death gratuity is three months, contingent on the timely submission of all required documents by the deceased teacher’s legal representative.
The gratuity is paid as a one-time lump sum amount to the legal representative of a teacher who was employed under permanent and pensionable terms. The amount paid is equivalent to two years’ salary, calculated based on the deceased’s salary at the time of death.
Although the National Treasury’s Pensions Department is responsible for disbursing the payments, TSC oversees the processing of death gratuity claims before forwarding them to the Treasury for final payment.
Factors Leading to Delays in Death Gratuity Payment
Several challenges contribute to the delay in processing death gratuity claims. These include incomplete or missing documents, incorrect declaration forms, succession disputes, and difficulty in tracing the next of kin.
1. Documentation Issues
One of the major causes of delay is errors in documentation, which can be categorized as follows:
(a) Missing Documents
In certain cases, essential documents are requested but remain unsubmitted by the next of kin. This may occur due to difficulties in locating the next of kin or incorrect contact details, making it difficult for necessary information to be communicated.
(b) Incomplete Documentation
Sometimes, the next of kin fails to fully complete the required forms, leaving mandatory sections blank or failing to attach the necessary supporting documents.
(c) Incorrectly Filled Documents
Errors occur when the next of kin enters incorrect information. For example, instead of providing the ATM card’s account number, they mistakenly enter the serial number. Similarly, in cases involving widows or widowers, discrepancies may arise between the marriage date they provide and the date given by the declarants who verify their marital status.
2. Incorrect Declaration Forms
A common issue is filling out the wrong declaration form. For instance, a deceased teacher’s spouse may mistakenly submit a guardian declaration form instead of a widow/widower declaration, or dependants may use a widow/widower form instead of the appropriate dependant form.
3. Family and Succession Disputes
Conflicts among multiple spouses or dependants often cause delays in processing claims. Disagreements over who should be designated as the legal representative can prevent submission of required documents. In some cases, legal disputes lead to court orders halting the processing of death gratuity claims.
4. Challenges in Locating the Next of Kin
After a teacher’s death, the initial notification is sent to the Headteacher or Principal of the last school where the teacher worked. However, some school heads may lack the contact details of the next of kin, especially if the deceased teacher was working outside their home county. Additionally, phone numbers and addresses listed in TSC records may be outdated, making communication difficult.
Addressing Delays in Death Gratuity Payments
To minimize delays in payment processing, the following measures should be taken:
- Teachers should update their next of kin details whenever there are changes in dependants or contact information.
- In cases involving multiple spouses, all should complete declaration forms unless they mutually agree to appoint one as their representative. Such agreements must be documented in writing and signed by all parties.
- If both the teacher and spouse are deceased, the children should select a representative among themselves to receive the payment on their behalf. The agreement should be signed by all children and witnessed by the area Chief.
- Next of kin should seek guidance from Human Resource Officers (HROs) at TSC county and sub-county offices when completing and submitting the required documents.
Completing Death Gratuity Documents
The primary documents required for processing death gratuity claims include Declaration Forms and the Widows and Children’s Pension Scheme (GP 215) Form. These forms are filled as follows:
- The widow/widower declaration form is completed by a surviving spouse.
- The dependants declaration form is filled by children whose both parents are deceased, children of unmarried deceased teachers, or a guardian of a deceased teacher without children.
- The GP 215 Form is completed alongside the dependants declaration form by a guardian if the deceased male teacher was unmarried and had no children.
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Required Attachments for Declaration Forms
To ensure smooth processing, the following documents must accompany the declaration forms:
- A letter from the Chief (on official letterhead) introducing the next of kin and dependants.
- The original death certificate (returned after certification).
- Certified copies of birth certificates for children aged 24 years and below.
- Certified copies of identification cards for children above 24 years.
- Certified copy of the next of kin’s ID.
- A copy of the next of kin’s KRA PIN certificate.
- A certified copy of the next of kin’s ATM card or bank plate.
- Letters from educational institutions for dependants aged 17 years and above who are in full-time education.
By following these guidelines and ensuring accurate documentation, dependants can avoid unnecessary delays and receive the death gratuity payment within the expected timeframe.
Teachersupdates.news also wrote an article on How to Download Emailed TSC Registration Certificate with Ease, outlining the step-by-step process for accessing, downloading, and printing the certificate without hassle.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Death Gratuity Payment: Benefits, Process and Delay Factors
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