Applications for National Housing Trust (NHT) contributions refunds will only be accessible online, as of January 2021.

In a statement, the NHT said that, as it continues to prioritise the safety of its staff and customers, it would no longer be accepting applications in person at any of its locations.

“Customers may apply for their refunds via our website www.nht.gov.jm, and also via our mobile app, ‘NHT Online’, which is available in both the Google Play Store and the App Store,” the NHT said.

“We use this opportunity to remind customers making queries that our representatives are available via ‘webchat’ on our website. You may also engage us via our social media channels; via email at [email protected] or through calling our customer contact centre at 876-929-6500 or 888-225-5648.”

Contributors are entitled to receive a ‘regular’ contributions refund in the eight year after the contribution was made. This means refunds of contributions made to the NHT up to the end of 2012 can be applied for now and, on January 1, 2021, refunds for contributions made up to 2013 can be requested.

Contributors with mortgages received directly from the NHT should not apply for their refund as it will automatically be credited to their mortgage accounts with an effective date of January 1 of the eighth year. Exceptions to this are:

• persons who received their mortgage via the Combined Mortgage Programme or the Joint Finance Mortgage Programme, or
• public sector employees who are NHT mortgagors and who meet specific conditions.  

Retirees, expatriates returning home for good, persons in receipt of invalidity pension from the Ministry of Social Security and beneficiaries of a deceased contributor may apply for a ‘special’ contributions refund.