127

TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS Introduction ... On January 26, 1948, Philippine President Manuel A. Roxas proposed a bill seeking to

  • Upload
    vanthu

  • View
    230

  • Download
    5

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

1

TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS

Introduction ................................................................................................. 2

Coverage ....................................................................................................... 4

Registration ................................................................................................ 10

Contributions ............................................................................................. 31

Contribution Schedule

Benefits

Sickness ............................................................................................. 39

Maternity .......................................................................................... 48

Disability ........................................................................................... 57

Retirement ........................................................................................ 65

Death ................................................................................................. 81

Funeral .............................................................................................. 93

Employees’ Compensation ................................................................ 97

Salary Loan ............................................................................................... 108

Glossary of SSS Terms ............................................................................... 115

Glossary of Acronyms ............................................................................... 123

Note: The SSS Corporate Communications Department (CCD) aims to provide the most updated policies and information in this SSS GUIDEBOOK for the benefit of its Members. Thus, the information contained herein are current and correct as of September 1, 2016. We shall update this Guidebook periodically as new policies and/or programs are approved for implementation.

2

IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN

The concept of social security evolved from an age-old search of man for protection

against poverty, which breeds grave social ills that not only threaten his survival, but also erodes his sense of human dignity. It, therefore, becomes the duty of the State to operate a mechanism that would provide such protection to its people.

LLEEGGIISSLLAATTIIVVEE HHIISSTTOORRYY

On January 26, 1948, Philippine President Manuel A. Roxas proposed a bill seeking to establish a social security system for wage earners and low-salaried employees. This was recommended to Congress in his State of the Nation Address.

After the death of President Roxas, his successor, President Elpidio R. Quirino, created

the Social Security Study Commission on July 7, 1948. The creation of the Commission was his first official act upon his assumption to office. Based on the report of the Study Commission, a draft of the Social Security Act was submitted to Congress.

In 1954, Representative Floro Crisologo and Senators Cipriano Primicias and Manuel

Briones introduced bills based on the report of the Social Security Study Commission in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. These bills were consolidated and enacted into Republic Act (RA) 1161, better known as the Social Security Act of 1954.

However, business and labor groups objected to the Social Security Act, resulting in a

deferment of its implementation. In 1957, amendatory bills were presented in Congress. These bills were the bases of RA

1792, which amended the original Social Security Act. On September 1, 1957, the Social Security Act of 1954 or the Social Security Law (SS Law)

was finally implemented, marking a significant milestone in the social security program. With the implementation of the SS Law, the government also adopted the social insurance approach to social security, covering the employed segment of the labor force in the private sector.

In 1980, certain groups of self-employed persons were also required to contribute to the

social security fund. Self-employed farmers and fisherfolks were included in the program in 1992. In 1993, household helpers earning at least P1,000 were included in the compulsory coverage of employees. Meanwhile, workers in the informal sector earning at least P1,000 a month, such as ambulant vendors and transport workers, were covered in 1995.

The Social Security System (SSS) administers social security protection to workers in the

private sector. On the other hand, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) takes care of workers in the public sector.

The SSS administers two programs namely:

1. The Social Security (SS) Program; and 2. The Employees’ Compensation Program (EC)

3

Social Security provides replacement income

for workers in times of death, disability, sickness, maternity and old age.

The EC program, started in 1975, provides

double compensation effective June 1984 to the worker when the illness, death, or accident occurs during work-related activities, at the workplace or on the way to/from the workplace. EC benefits are granted only to members with employers.

SSS used to administer the Medicare program for hospitalization and other medical

needs of the private sector workers; and the GSIS, for the public sector workers. However, with the passage of RA 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, the SSS and GSIS transferred the administration of the Medicare program to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development effective July 1999.

SSS retirement, death, and total disability pensioners prior to the effectivity of RA 7875

on March 4, 1995 are entitled to hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth. Pensioners, upon the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 and thereafter, are no longer covered except when they meet the qualification requirements set by PhilHealth.

On May 1, 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos signed RA 8282, further strengthening the

SSS. Also known as the Social Security Act of 1997, it amended RA 1161, providing for better benefit packages, expansion of coverage, flexibility of investments, stiffer penalties for violators of the law, condonation of penalties of delinquent employers, and the establishment of a voluntary provident fund for members.

SSSSSS MMIISSSSIIOONN To manage a sound and viable social security system, which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden.

SSSSSS VVIISSIIOONN A viable social security institution providing universal and equitable social protection through world-class service.

SSSSSS CCOORRPPOORRAATTEE VVAALLUUEESS The SSS aims to institutionalize a corporate culture that instills the core values of Trust, Empowerment, and Teamwork.

4

CCOOVVEERRAAGGEE

CCOOMMPPUULLSSOORRYY CCOOVVEERRAAGGEE

Compulsory coverage is the mandatory registration of employees, employers and self-employed persons with the SSS, with corresponding payment and remittance of social security contributions. 1. Employer (ER)

An ER is any person who uses and pays for the services of another person in any business, trade, industry, or undertaking.

a) A social, civic, professional, charitable, and other non-profit organization that hires the services of employees are also considered “ERs.”

b) A foreign government or international organization, or its wholly-owned instrumentalities, such as an embassy in the Philippines, with an approved Administrative Agreement with the SSS for the coverage of its Filipino workers.

c) A household employer (HR) is one who uses the services of a house helper; whomever

pays the compensation for such services – whether the husband, wife, or any other person – shall be deemed the HR.

2. Employee (EE)

a) A worker in the private sector, regardless of status of employment, whether permanent, temporary, or provisional, who is not over 60 years of age (up to 60th birthday, if initial coverage).

b) A house helper who is not over 60 years of age (up to 60th birthday, if initial coverage).

A house helper is any person who renders domestic or household services exclusively in the HR’s home, including other areas that the HR may designate, and to the members of the employer’s household, and who receives compensation for such services.

c) A Filipino seafarer, upon signing of the standard employment contract and actual deployment by the manning agency and the foreign principal, who are considered as the ERs.

d) A worker of a foreign government or international organization, or its wholly-owned

instrumentalities, with an approved Administrative Agreement with the SSS. 3. Self-Employed (SE) Individual

An SE person is one engaged in any trade, business or occupation, who has no ER other than himself, derives an income of at least P1,000 a month from his/her physical and mental efforts, and who is not over 60 years of age (if initial coverage).

5

Included, but not limited to, are the following SE individuals:

a) SE professionals who have their own business offices;

b) Partners, single proprietors of businesses, and Directors or Trustees of the Board of corporations duly registered with appropriate government agencies;

c) Actors, directors, scriptwriters, and news correspondents who do not fall within the definition of the term ”employee” in Section 8 (D) of the SS Law;

d) Professional athletes, coaches, trainers, jockeys, individual farmers, and fisher folks;

e) Workers in the informal sector such as market and ambulant vendors, watch-your-car-boys, transport workers, and those similarly situated;

f) Contractual and job order personnel engaged by the government through a Contract of Service and who are not coverable under the GSIS Law; and

g) Any other SE person as determined by the Social Security Commission (SSC) under such rules and regulations that it may prescribe.

An SE person who is not over 60 years old (up to 60th birthday) is still subject for

compulsory coverage, if for initial membership. In the same manner, an existing member (who already has an SS Number and at least one month contribution) who becomes an SE person after his/her 60th birthday but before the 65th birthday is still subject for compulsory coverage.

VVOOLLUUNNTTAARRYY CCOOVVEERRAAGGEE

Voluntary coverage is the non-mandatory registration and payment of social security contributions by non-working spouses (NWS), overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and those covered under bilateral agreements. It also includes former employed/SE members who wish to continue payment of social security contributions. 1. Voluntary Member (VM)

A VM is one who:

a) was previously covered as an SSS member either as an EE, SE, or OFW;

b) has at least one (1) posted contribution;

c) is no longer engaged or working as either an EE, SE, OFW, or has no income/earnings as such for a given period; and

d) opts to continue paying contributions on a voluntary basis to maintain his/her right to full SSS benefits.

Coverage as a VM is subject to the following conditions:

A member who is 60 years old and above (but not yet 65) with 120 contributions or more may continue paying as a VM until he/she reaches 65 years old to avail of full benefits;

A member who is 65 years old and above with less than 120 contributions may continue paying contributions as a VM until he/she completes the required 120 contributions to be eligible for retirement pension.

6

2. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)

An OFW is any of the following types of overseas-based Filipino:

recruited in the Philippines by foreign-based ERs for employment abroad;

having a source of income in a foreign country; or

residing permanently in a foreign country.

An OFW without a previously assigned SS Number shall register using the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1). On the other hand, an OFW with a previously assigned SS Number does not need to register anew, and shall only tick off “OFW” in the Payor type portion of the Contributions Payment Return Form upon payment of contributions. 3. Non-Working Spouse (NWS)

An NWS is a married person who devotes full time in the management of the household and family affairs, unless he/she is engaged in other vocation or employment that is subject to mandatory coverage. An NWS should:

be legally married to a currently-paying EE, SE or OFW member who has at least one (1) posted contribution within the last six (6) months prior to registration date of the NWS;

have never been a member of SSS (not yet covered and no posted contributions); and

not be over 60 years old (up to 60th birthday).

An NWS without an SS Number shall register using the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1).

However, an individual with a previously-assigned SS Number who wishes to become a

NWS shall register using the Member Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4). The signature of the working spouse shall be required in either the SSS Form E-1 or the

SSS Form E-4, whichever is applicable, to signify his/her consent to the NWS’ membership with SSS.

How can a covered member change membership type? 1. From covered EE/OFW/VM/NWS/Prior Registrant to SE

Accomplish the Member Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4).

2. From covered EE/OFW/VM/NWS/Prior Registrant to VM

There is no need to accomplish any form nor present any supporting document. Upon

payment of contributions, he/she should tick off the “Voluntary Member” option in the Payor type portion of the Contributions Payment Return Form upon payment of contributions. This shall be deemed as member’s declaration that he/she has ceased to be an EE, SE, or an OFW member, and/or that he/she did not have any income or earnings either as such in the period for which VM contributions were paid.

7

3. From covered EE/OFW/VM/NWS/Prior Registrant to OFW There is no need to accomplish any form nor present any supporting document. Upon

payment of contributions, he/she should tick off “OFW” in the Payor type portion of the Contributions Payment Return Form upon payment of contributions. This shall automatically trigger change in his/her coverage status from EE/SE/VM/Prior Registrant to OFW-member once payment is validated. This shall also be deemed as the OFW-member’s declaration that he/she has been separated from employment with previous ERs in the Philippines and/or has ceased to be an SE. When does coverage of members take effect? 1. For an ER: on the first day he/she hires the first EE/s

2. For an EE: on the first day of employment

3. For the SE:

on the month and year of first monthly contribution payment, provided that it is not earlier than the declared “Start of Business” in the SSS Form E-1; or

retroactive on the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment, upon approval of his/her late registration as an SE member.

4. For an OFW: on the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment based on the payment deadline for OFWs, which may be earlier than the date of registration

5. For NWS: on the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment

What is the effect of non-reporting and non-remittance of contributions? To the ER / HR

An ER who does not report his/her EEs, regardless of status of employment, is violating the SSS Law. Meanwhile, an HR who does the same can be sued for violating two (2) laws – one under the Republic Act 10361 or the Batas Kasambahay, and the one under Republic Act 1161, as amended by RA 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1997.

If found guilty, the ER/HR is liable to the EEs and must:

pay the benefits of those who die, become disabled, get sick or reach retirement age;

pay all unpaid contributions plus a penalty of three percent (3%) per month; and

be held liable for a criminal offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

To the EE

The EE is still entitled to SSS benefits even if the ER fails or refuses to report and remit SSS contributions. To the SE, OFW, NWS and VM

An SE person who fails or refuses to register with the SSS may be fined and/or imprisoned. However, in the event the SE member does not realize earnings in a given month, payment of SSS contributions for that particular month is no longer required.

8

An SE person who failed to register as an SE member, but has already paid SE contributions, shall be required to submit the following for the approval of his/her late registration as an SE member:

1. Member Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4) indicating the year of the first SE contribution as the ‘Start of Business’; and

2. Affidavit declaring the source of income and indicating the year of the first SE contribution as the start of self-employment.

An SE, NWS and VM who fails to remit contributions after membership is approved may

only pay the monthly contributions prospectively. The months without posted contributions shall already be considered as “gaps” and back-payment to fill those gaps (i.e., retroactive payment of contributions) is not allowed.

An OFW is allowed to pay contributions from the earliest applicable month covered by

the payment deadline for OFWs. The months beyond the deadline and without posted contributions are already considered as “gaps”, and back-payment to fill in those gaps (i.e., retroactive payment of contributions) is not allowed. When a person has secured an SS Number, does it mean that he/she is already an SSS member and has the right to social security benefits? No. Securing an SS number does not automatically mean a person is already covered as a member. An employed worker becomes a covered SSS member when the ER submits an employment report and has paid at least one (1) contribution in behalf of the EE. An SE, OFW or NWS becomes a covered SSS member when at least one (1) contribution has been paid.

Can a person who has secured an SS Number but has no employer yet, already pay contributions on his/her own as a Voluntary Member? No. By definition, a VM is one who already has at least one (1) month contribution as a previous EE, SE, or OFW member and thus, has an existing Date of Coverage (DOC), which is essential in determining a member’s eligibility for benefits. Paying initial contributions as a VM will render them void and subject to refund. On the other hand, an OFW who has secured an SS Number may already proceed with the payment of contributions as an OFW using the issued SS Number. Can a member withdraw membership with the SSS? No. Membership with the SSS is for life. However, a member who was separated from employment or ceased to be an SE or OFW has the option to continue paying SSS contributions as a VM to maintain the right to the full benefits being provided by the SSS. Even when there are periods when no contributions are remitted, the benefits and loan privileges provided by the SSS can still be availed of, as long as the member meets the qualifying conditions for entitlement thereto.

9

What happens to the coverage of a member who has received a lump sum benefit for permanent total disability?

The recipient of a lump sum benefit for total permanent disability who is re-employed or has resumed self-employment not earlier than one (1) year from date of disability, shall again be subject to compulsory coverage and shall be considered a new member, provided that he/she is not over 60 years of age at the time of re-employment or resumption of self-employment.

When a member loses or cannot remember his/her SS Number, should he/she secure another SS Number? No. The SS Number assigned to a member/person is the lifetime number and must always be used in all transactions with the SSS. Verification of a previously issued SS Number can be requested at the nearest SSS Office. The member should never secure another SS Number, as having more than one (1) SS Number will cause delay in the processing of claim for benefits or loans in the future. Thus, it is important to have only one (1) SS Number.

However, in cases when a member has multiple SS Numbers, he/she must request for cancellation of the excess SS Numbers as soon as possible in order to consolidate and transfer all member records (e.g., employment history, contributions, monthly salary credits, benefits and loan records, etc.) to the retained SS Number, including the updating of date of coverage, if necessary.

The SS Number to be retained is determined based on the following order of priority:

- with issued SS ID/Unified Multipurpose Identification (UMID) card, or with pending application for UMID card;

- with most number of posted contributions; - with most recent posted contributions; or - with earliest issued SS Number.

For members with settled final claim, the SS Number used in the benefit settlement shall

be retained.

10

RREEGGIISSTTRRAATTIIOONN

What are the documents required for registration and in securing an SS Number?

A person who will register and secure an SS Number for the first time should accomplish and submit the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) and present the original or certified true copy and submit the photocopy of his/her Birth Certificate, issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) or by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, formerly known as National Statistics Office/NSO).

In the absence of the Birth Certificate, present the original or certified true copy and submit the photocopy of any of the following documents:

Baptismal Certificate or its equivalent

Passport

Driver’s License

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Card

Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book)

In the absence of the above ID cards and/or documents, present the original or certified true copy and submit the photocopies of any two (2) of the following ID cards/documents, both of which should bear the correct name of the person, and at least one (1) with the correct date of birth:

Alien Certificate of Registration

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card with the cardholder’s name

Bank Account Passbook

Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate of children or its equivalent

Certificate of Confirmation issued by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (formerly known as Office of Southern Cultural Community and Office of Northern Cultural Community)

Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Document from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)

Certificate of Muslim Filipino Tribal Affiliation issued by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

Company ID Card

Court Order granting petition for change of name or date of birth

Credit Card

Firearm License Card issued by Philippine National Police (PNP)

Fishworker’s License issued by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

GSIS Card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership

Health or Medical Card

Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) Member’s Data Form/Transaction Card

Homeowners’ Association ID Card

ID Card issued by Local Government Units (e.g., Barangay/Municipality/City)

11

ID Card issued by professional associations recognized by the PRC

Life Insurance Policy

Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Card

PhilHealth Member’s Data Record/ID Card

Police Clearance

Postal ID Card

School ID Card

Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

Senior Citizen Card

Student Permit issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) Card

Transcript of School Records

Voter’s ID Card/Affidavit/Certificate of Registration with Commission on Elections (COMELEC)

A. Additional Supporting Documents

1. For Married Persons

- Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate or a copy of Member Data Change Request Form (SS Form E-4) of the spouse duly received by the SSS where the name of the registrant is reported as the spouse

2. For Widowed Persons

- Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate of spouse or Court Order on the Declaration of Presumptive Death, if previously reported spouse is presumed dead

3. For Legally Separated Persons

- Decree of Legal Separation 4. For Persons with Annulled or Void Marriage

- Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or annotated Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate

5. For Divorced Persons

- Decree of Divorce and Certificate of Naturalization (granted before divorce) or its equivalent

6 For Divorced Muslim Member

- Certificate of Divorce (OCRG Form No. 102) 7. For reporting Child/ren as beneficiaries (whichever is applicable)

- Birth Certificate/s or Baptismal Certificate/s, or its equivalent - Decree of Adoption

12

If the additional supporting documents required for reporting the civil status and the dependent(s)/beneficiary(ies) of the registrant are not submitted at the time of registration, these data shall be tagged as “No Documents Submitted” in his/her personal record in SSS. He/She shall be advised to immediately update said data by submitting the required documents with the duly accomplished Member Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4). The immediate submission of additional supporting documents to the SSS shall facilitate and expedite the processing of benefit claims. B. Required Documents for Local Enrolment in the Flexi-Fund Program

- Valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or E-receipt issued by POEA

The original or certified true copy of the Birth, Marriage, and/or Death Certificate should be issued by the City or Municipal Civil Registrar or by the PSA (formerly NSO).

All ID cards and/or documents with English translation issued by foreign governments

are acceptable.

How can one register with the SSS? For Prospective EE/SE Member A prospective EE/SE member who will register and secure an SS Number for the first time should accomplish the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) and submit this with the required ID cards/documents and/or additional documents (see list on Pages 10-11). An SE person with a previously assigned SS Number shall register using the Member Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4).

If the SE member has hired employee/s, he/she should also register as an employer and secure an ER Number by accomplishing and submitting Employer Registration Form (SSS Form R-1) and Employment Report (SSS Form R-1A). For OFW An OFW, who is not over 60 years old and is registering and securing an SS Number for the first time, should accomplish the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) and submit this with the required ID cards and/or documents and additional supporting documents (see list on Pages 10-11).

If the OFW already has an SS Number from previous employment or self-employment, or due to prior registration, he/she shall use the same SS Number in continuing/reactivating his/her membership. Upon payment of his/her contributions, he/she should check “OFW” as Payor type. This automatically changes his/her coverage status to “OFW.”

However, if applying for membership in the SSS Flexi-Fund Program, he/she will be

required to fill out first the Flexi-Fund Enrollment Form.

13

For NWS and VM An NWS should accomplish the appropriate portion of the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) and duly signed by the working spouse, submit this with one (1) Primary or two (2) Secondary documents (see list on Pages 10-11) together with the Marriage Contract.

A member separated from employment/self-employment and who already has an SS Number does not need to fill out any form to continue paying contributions as a VM. He/she shall just use the same SS Number, but should check “Voluntary Member” in the Payor type portion of the Contributions Payment Return Form. This will automatically change his/her coverage status to “Voluntary Member.” For House Helpers House helpers or “Kasambahay,” whether with or without a previous SS Number, must register using the Kasambahay Unified Registration Form (PPS-KUR Form), which is a three-in-one form used to register and get a membership number from three (3) agencies: the SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG Fund. This unified registration started in December 2013 and is pursuant to RA 10361 or the “Batas Kasambahay,” which mandates SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG to provide services to HRs and their house helpers, whichever from among these agencies they may wish to register.

The house helper must submit to any one (1) of the agencies the completed PPS-KUR Form, together with the required ID cards and/or documents and additional documents. He/She will then be issued three (3) different ID Numbers until such time that a common ID issuance system is developed or adopted. However, if he/she already has a previous SS Number, he/she will only be issued PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Member ID Numbers. Below are the acceptable ID cards/documents only for House helpers’ registration under the Kasambahay Unified Registration System.

Primary Documents – submit photocopy and present original/certified true copy of any one (1) of the following:

Birth Certificate Passport

Baptismal Certificate PRC Card

Driver’s License Seaman’s Book

Secondary Documents – in the absence of Primary documents, submit photocopies and present original/certified true copy of two (2) of the following, both should have the correct name of the registrant and at least one (1) should indicate date of birth:

If the required supporting documents are not available at the time of registration, or if

the registrant is not available to sign the document, the SS Number will still be issued but

ATM Card Police Clearance

Bank Account Passbook Postal ID Card

Birth/Baptismal Certificate of Children Voter’s ID/Affidavit

Marriage Certificate/Contract School Records

NBI Clearance ID issued by LGUs (e.g., Barangay, Municipality, City)

14

subject to the following conditions:

1. Membership status of the House helper shall be “Temporary” only.

2. The SS Number issued can only be used for contribution payment and employee reporting by the HR.

3. Submission of Primary/Secondary documents and/or signature in the PPS-KUR Form is still required for conversion of membership status to “Permanent” thru the filing of Member Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4).

4. Availment of SSS benefits and loans is only allowed for “Permanent” membership status, subject to qualifying conditions.

For ERs Employer registration shall be made through the Employer Registration (SSS Form R-1), which should be submitted with the Specimen Signature Card (SSS Form L-501), and the original and photocopy of the required documents (listed below), duly signed by the authorized signatory.

Ownership Type Signatory Required Documents

Single Proprietorship Owner, or in his/her absence, the legal spouse; or in their absence, any person who was designated through a Special Power of Attorney.

Business Permit, Registration of Business Name, Certificate of Franchise or any authority to operate business issued by a government agency (e.g. Registration of Business Name from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Business Permit from LGUs or any proof of business operation)

Partnership Managing Partner Articles of Partnership

Corporation, including non-stock/non-profit corporations

President, Chairman or Corporate Secretary

Articles of Incorporation

Foreign-owned corporation

Designated Philippine Representative as shown in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration or the Head or highest ranking employee of the corporation/ company as stated in SSS Form R1-A

Articles of Incorporation

Manning Agency with Foreign Principal

President, Chairman, or Corporate Secretary

Articles of Incorporation and Manning Agreement between the manning agency and the foreign principal

Cooperative Chairman or Corporate Secretary Articles of Cooperation/ Certificate of Registration from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)

Manpower Service Cooperative

Chairman or Corporate Secretary Articles of Cooperation from CDA; and Accreditation from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

15

The ER shall then submit the initial Employment Report (SSS Form R-1A) to report his/her employees, within thirty (30) days upon their hiring. The SSS Form R-1A should indicate the correct ER Number, the total number of employees reported, and complete employees’ details such as their respective SS Numbers, birth dates, employment start dates, monthly compensation, and positions. For HRs A. New HRs

New HRs – first-time registrants or those without an SS HR Number – must register using the Household Employer Unified Registration Form (PPS-HEUR1 Form), which is a three-in-one form used to register and get an ER Number from the three (3) agencies: the SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG Fund. This unified registration is pursuant to RA 10361 or the “Batas Kasambahay,” which mandates SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG to provide services to HRs and their house helper/s, whichever from among these agencies they may wish to register.

The PPS-HEUR1 Form must be duly signed either by the husband, the wife, or the

person who is actually paying the salary of the house helper and is deemed the HR. The HR can submit to any of the three (3) agencies the completed PPS-HEUR1 Form. The HR will then be issued three (3) different ER Numbers until such time that a common ID issuance system is developed or adopted.

B. Existing HRs

Existing HRs – those who were previously issued an SS HR Number but still have no

PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG ER Numbers – may register to SSS using the PPS-HEUR1 Form in order to be issued their PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG ER Numbers through the Kasambahay Unified Registration System. Can one register with SSS online and be immediately issued an SS Number? Yes. A prospective EE/SE/NWS/OFW member who will register and secure an SS Number for the first time, can do so online through the SSS Website (www.sss.gov.ph). He/She just needs to click the Tab (“No SS Number Yet? Apply Online!”) found in the website’s homepage and carefully follow the instructions:

1. Accomplish all fields of the online form correctly.

2. A link shall be sent to the registrant's e-mail that will enable him/her to continue with the SS Number application.

Note: The link will expire in five (5) days and once it expires, the registrant will have to repeat the first step of the registration process.

3. Once the link is clicked, the registrant must correctly provide all the required information – from “Basic Information” to “Beneficiaries Information.”

4. Prior to generation of SS Number, the registrant may review and correct the electronically filled out registration form. Once an SS Number is already generated, applicant will need to go to the SSS Branch to correct the information if errors are found.

16

5. After clicking the “Generate SSS Number” button, the system will display the SS Number of the registrant and the option to print the Personal Record and SS Number Slip. The registrant will also receive an e-mail confirmation that indicates his/her SS Number, a copy of his/her SS Number Slip and other instructions regarding submission of the required supporting documents to the nearest SSS Branch.

6. The registrant may save and/or print the Personal Record Form, SS Number Slip, as well as the SSS Number Application Confirmation e-mail body sent by the SS Number Issuance System.

7. The registrant must then proceed to the nearest SSS Branch and submit the required documents (see list on Pages 10-11). If married, he/she must bring a copy of Marriage Contract. If with child/ren, he/she bring a copy of the child/ren's Birth Certificate/s.

8. For NWS, the e-Personal Record must be signed by the working spouse, to signify that he/she agrees with the SSS membership of the NWS.

Note: Registrant is advised to go to the nearest SSS Branch as soon as possible to submit the

required supporting documents, otherwise, his/her membership status with the SSS shall remain “Temporary.” This means that the SS Number can only be used for contribution payments and employee reporting by the ER.

Submission of the required documents will convert the membership status from “Temporary” to “Permanent.” Availment of SSS loans and benefits (subject to qualifying conditions) and UMID Card Application (provided applicant has one posted contribution) is allowed only for “Permanent” membership status.

For HRs, is the reporting of their house helpers also unified among the three (3) agencies (SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG)? At present, only the registration of house helpers and HRs is unified among the three (3) agencies. Reporting of their house helpers’ coverage and contributions by the HR must still be done separately in all the agencies, until such time that a unified reporting system is established. Thus, for SSS purposes, the HR must submit to any SSS Branch the Employment Report (SSS Form R-1A) to report newly-hired as well as separated/terminated house helpers, and the Specimen Signature Form (SSS Form L-501). How can a registered ER request for changes in membership data and/or status of business operations? Changes in employer’s data and status of business operations should be reported immediately to the nearest SSS Office by accomplishing an Employer Data Change Request (SSS Form R-8). This Form should be duly signed by the authorized signatory, supported by the original and photocopy of appropriate documents, if any, showing the Effectivity Date. The Form should be duly notarized, except if it is for a change/addition of address, e-mail address, and telephone or fax numbers. The SSS Form R-8 should be signed by any of the following:

17

Ownership Type Signatory

Single Proprietorship Owner, or in the absence of the Owner, the legal spouse

Partnership Managing Partner

Corporation President, General Manager, Chairman or Corporate Secretary

Foreign-owned Corporation Designated Philippine Representative as shown in the SEC registration

Cooperative Chairman or Corporate Secretary

Required Documents: For Change of Business Name, Legal Personality, or Nature of Business

Any of the following, whichever is applicable:

Certificate of Registration of Business Name from the DTI

Certificate of Filing of Articles or Amended Articles of Partnership/ Incorporation/ Cooperation issued by the DTI/SEC/CDA

For Change of Business Address

Proof of billing, or in its absence, any of the following:

▪ Deed of Sale of Property/Lease Contract

▪ Barangay certificate evidencing transfer to the new address For Change of Name of Owner/Managing Partner/Corporate Officers

Any of the following, whichever is applicable:

Deed of Sale/Assignment duly signed by concerned parties with the new Owner’s DTI Registration or Business License

Deed of Donation

General Information Sheet duly received by the SEC

Minutes of General Assembly (for cooperatives) For Amendment of Date of Coverage (DOC)

All of the following:

SSS Forms R-1/R-1A (superseding initial submission)

Affidavit of employee/s attesting to the actual date of his/their employment

Certification from the Municipal/City Treasurer’s Office or the BIR For Temporary Suspension of Business Operations

Any two (2) of the following documents, whichever are applicable:

Notification of suspension of operation duly received by the BIR within the prescribed period

Audited Financial Statements and Income Tax Return (ITR) showing non-operation/no earnings for the applicable period/s filed with the SEC or the BIR within the prescribed period

Board Resolution approving suspension of business operation adopted within the prescribed period and duly received by regulatory agencies (e.g. BIR, SEC, etc.)

18

SSS Form R-1A showing the separation of its employee/s duly received by the SSS within the first ten (10) days of the month after the applicable quarter

Certification from the Fire Department/concerned unit of the municipality/city, in case of destruction of corporate facilities due to fire/fortuitous event

Notice of Strike duly received by the DOLE with a Certification that there was no operation/employees during the strike

Lease Contract/Joint Affidavit of Termination of Lease Contract

Certificate of Non-Renewal of Business License from the Municipal/City Treasurer’s Office

For Resumption of Business Operations

Newly accomplished Employment Report (SSS Form R-1A) reporting for coverage newly hired/re-hired employee/s

For Termination/Dissolution of Business

1. Single Proprietorship

Approved Application for Business Retirement from the Municipal/City Treasurer’s Office, or in its absence, submit any two (2) of the following:

Certification of Non-Operation of Business from the Municipal/City Treasurer’s Office or Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

Lease Contract/Joint Affidavit of Termination of Lease Contract

SSS Form R-1A showing the separation of its employee/s duly received by the SSS within the first ten (10) days of the month after the applicable quarter

Certification of Cancellation of Franchise from the Land Transportation & Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

Certification from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB)

Death Certificate registered with the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) or issued by the Philippine Consul, in case of death of the owner

2. Partnership/Corporation/Cooperative

Certificate of Filing of Articles of Dissolution/Cancellation of Registration issued by the SEC/ CDA, or in its absence, any two (2) of the following:

Audited Financial Statements and Income Tax Return (ITR) showing non-operation/no earnings for the applicable period/s filed with the SEC or the BIR within the prescribed period

Board Resolution approving the termination of business operation adopted within the prescribed period and duly acknowledged received by regulatory agencies (e.g. BIR, SEC, etc.)

SSS Form R-1A showing the separation of its employee/s duly received by the SSS within the first ten (10) days of the month after the applicable quarter

Notification of Business Termination duly received by the SEC or the BIR within the prescribed period

19

For Termination/Dissolution due to Merger/Consolidation of Registration

Certificate of Filing of Articles of Merger issued by the SEC For Cancellation of DOC due to Employer’s Allegation that Business Operation Did Not Materialize

SSS Account Officer Report

How can members change the personal data in their membership record? Changes in member’s data should be reported immediately to the nearest SSS Office by accomplishing the Member’s Data Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4) and submitting the original/certified true copy and photocopy of the following: For Correction of Name and/or Date of Birth 1. Birth Certificate or Passport

2. In the absence of the Birth Certificate and Passport, the following are required:

a. Certificate of Non-Availability of Birth Records from the City/Municipal Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO), or National Archives, for the alleged correct name/date of birth; and

b. Any two (2) of the following, both with the correct name and at least one (1) with date of birth:

ID Cards

• Driver’s License • Firearm License card issued by PNP • GSIS ID Card • Health or Medical Card • ID Card issued by LGUs (e.g. Barangay, Municipality, City) • OWWA Card • Pag-IBIG Transaction Card • PhilHealth ID Card • Postal ID Card • PRC Card • Senior Citizen Card • TIN Card • Voter’s ID Card

Documents

• Alien Certificate of Registration • Baptismal Certificate or its equivalent (of member) • Birth Certificate/Baptismal Certificate or its equivalent (of child/ren) • Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Documents from MARINA • Certificate of Muslim Filipino Tribal Affiliation issued by National Commission on

Muslim Filipinos • Court Order granting petition for change of name or date of birth • GSIS Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership • Life Insurance Policy

20

• Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate • NBI Clearance • Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form • PhilHealth Member’s Data Record • Police Clearance • Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book) • Student Permit issued by LTO • Transcript of Records • Voter’s Affidavit/Certificate of Registration

3. Additional required ID cards and/or documents for the following cases:

a. If for correction of date of birth and submitted birth certificate is registered after the 55th birthday – two (2) ID cards and/or documents as listed above.

b. If for correction to totally different name/middle name (except if due to naturalization) – Joint affidavit of two (2) persons who have personal knowledge of the facts and circumstances on the use of the different name/middle name, stating therein that the two (2) names refer to one and the same person and the reason why the name was used.

4. Required ID cards and/or documents only for the following cases:

a. Correction of name due to naturalization from Filipino citizenship to foreign citizenship or vice-versa – any of the following:

Certificate of Naturalization issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

Identification Certificate issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI)

Any foreign government issued ID cards and/or documents showing the new name (e.g. Passport, Driver’s License)

b. Correction of name due to re-marriage – New Marriage Contract/Certificate and

any of the following, whichever is applicable:

Death Certificate of Spouse, if due to death of previously reported spouse

Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or annotated Marriage Contract/ Marriage Certificate, if due to annulled or void marriage with previously reported spouse

Court Order on Declaration of Presumptive Death, if previously reported spouse is presumed dead

Decree of Divorce and Certificate of Naturalization (granted before divorce) or its equivalent, if due to divorce with previously reported spouse

Certificate of Divorce (OCRG Form No. 102), if due to divorce of Muslim member with previously reported spouse

c. Correction of sex – any of the following, whichever is applicable:

Birth Certificate

Passport

Member’s copy of Personal Record Form (SSS Forms E-1, RS-1, OW-1, NW-1) duly received by the SSS wherein the correct sex is indicated

Court Order granting petition for correction of sex, if with erroneous entry of sex in Birth Certificate

21

d. Change of civil status – any of the following, whichever is applicable: From single to married

Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate From married to legally separated

Decree of Legal Separation From married to widowed

Death Certificate of spouse, if due to death of previously reported spouse

Court Order on the Declaration of Presumptive Death, if previously reported spouse is presumed dead

For reversion from married to single

If legally married to previously reported spouse

- Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or annotated Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate, if due to annulled or void marriage with previously reported spouse

- Decree of Divorce and Certificate of Naturalization (granted before divorce) or its equivalent, if due to divorce with previously reported spouse

- Certificate of Divorce (OCRG Form No. 102), if due to divorce of Muslim member with previously reported spouse

If not legally married to previously reported spouse

- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from PSA (formerly NSO); and

- Affidavit executed by the member attesting to the fact of the non-existence of marriage between him/her and the previously reported spouse

e. Updating of Contact Information – No required documents f. Updating of Bank Information – any of the following (must be single savings

account or current account only)

Passbook

For ATM, machine-validated deposit slip showing the name and bank account number of member

Any document showing the member’s name and bank account number (e.g. print-out of online banking transaction, bank statement)

g. Updating of Dependents/Beneficiaries

For new/additional dependents/beneficiaries 1. If spouse – Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate, or a copy of Member Data

Change Request Form (SSS Form E-4) of the spouse, duly received by the SSS, wherein the name of the member requesting for update is reported as the spouse

2. If child – Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate, or its equivalent, or Decree of

Adoption

22

For deletion of previously reported dependents/beneficiaries 1. If spouse – any of the following, whichever is applicable:

Decree of Legal Separation, if legally separated with previously reported spouse

Death Certificate of spouse, if due to death of previously reported spouse

Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or annotated Marriage Contract/ Certificate, if due to annulled or void marriage with previously reported spouse

Court Order on Declaration of Presumptive Death, if previously reported spouse is presumed dead

Decree of Divorce and Certificate of Naturalization (granted before divorce) or its equivalent, if due to divorce with previously reported spouse

Certificate of Divorce (OCRG Form No. 102), if due to divorce of Muslim member with previously reported spouse

2. If parent/s

Death Certificate, if previously reported parent/s is/are already dead

3. If other beneficiary/ies – No required documents

Note: The following required documents should be the original or certified true copy issued by the City or Municipal Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO):

1. Birth Certificate 2. Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate 3. Death Certificate

All ID cards/documents with English translation issued by foreign governments are acceptable.

What are the duties and responsibilities of ERs, including HRs? The employer or household employer is obliged to: 1. Require the presentation of the SS Number of a prospective EE. 2. Household employers are required to register themselves with, and enroll their household

helpers to the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.

3. Report all EEs/house helpers, regardless of status of employment, within thirty (30) days from the date of employment through the Employment Report (SSS Form R-1A) for submission to any SSS branch, or online through the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph). The employer must have a My.SSS account to submit SS Form R-1A online;

4. Deduct from EEs’/house helpers’ salary the SS contributions corresponding to all actual monthly compensation in accordance with the Schedule of Contributions and remit, together with his share and EC contributions, to any SSS branch with tellering facilities or to any accredited banks, using the Contributions Payment Return Form based on the following schedules:

23

If the deadline falls on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, payment may be made on the next working day.

5. Submit a summary of EEs/house helpers’ contributions thru the Contribution Collection List (SSS Form R-3) together with the validated Contributions Payment Return Form and copy of the Special Bank Receipt (SBR) to any SSS branch within ten (10) days after the applicable month;

Over-the-counter submission in electronic format via USB flash drive or other electronic media within ten (10) days after the applicable month. The SSS R-3 File Generator can be secured from the SSS website.

HRs can submit over-the-counter the printed SSS Form R-3 together with the validated Contributions Payment Return Form and copy of the SBR within ten (10) days after the applicable month. They can also opt to submit in electronic format via flash drive or other electronic media.

Electronically via online by first registering through My.SSS at the SSS website. Simply follow the system’s instructions and provide the information needed in the Online Employer User ID Registration Page.

The ER may also participate in the SSSNet, an online service using electronic data interchange (EDI) technology, designed to hasten the posting of EEs’ contributions for faster processing of benefit claims and loan privileges.

The HR may enroll in the Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA) Program, which allows a one-time enrollment of his/her bank account for the automatic payment of contributions and loan amortizations of the house helper.

5. Issue official receipts and maintain official records of employment and deductions for all

contributions deducted from the EEs’ pay envelopes; 6. Deduct and remit to the SSS all salary, educational, stocks investment or privatization loan

amortization of his EEs through the Member Loan Payment Return Form (SSS Form ML-1) at any SSS branch or accredited banks based on the prescribed deadline;

7. Submit a summary of all EEs’ loan amortizations thru an accomplished Loans Collection

List (SSS Form ML-2) with copies of the SBRs and the validated Member Loan Payment Return Form (SSS Form ML-1) on or before the prescribed deadline. ERs may also use their My.SSS account in submitting the Collection List online.

8. Pay in advance SS and EC sickness benefits due their EEs based on SSS approved sickness notification, as well as SS maternity benefits due to their qualified female EEs.

If 10th digit of the 13-digit ER number ends in:

Payment Deadline (following the applicable month)

1 or 2 10th day of the month

3 or 4 15th day of the month

5 or 6 20th day of the month

7 or 8 25th day of the month

9 or 0 Last day of the month

24

9. File for reimbursement the sickness and maternity benefits legally paid in advance to EEs. 10. Inform SSS of any change in company address, business name, or temporary/permanent

cessation of business operations through the submission of a duly notarized Employer Data Change Request (SSS Form R-8).

11. Submit annually the updated Specimen Signature Card (SSS Form L-501) of the

authorized signatories for SSS transactions.

12. Certify SSS-related documents for the employees when required for purposes of their claims. 13. Keep EEs/house helpers updated on the changes in SSS policies and benefit programs that

may affect them. 14. Ensure that all SSS forms submitted are properly and accurately accomplished, and that a

file copy of each is retained for record purposes. What are the duties and responsibilities of EE members? 1. Secure an SS Number only ONCE – there is no need to secure a new number whenever

changing employers or companies;

2. Ensure that he/she is reported for coverage under the SSS by his/her ER;

3. Pay, thru salary deduction, his/her monthly contributions and loan repayments and ensure that these contributions and loan repayments are remitted by his/her ER to the SSS on time;

4. Ensure that his/her name is included in the Contribution Collection List (SSS Form R-3) and/or Loans Collection List (SSS Form ML-2) submitted by the ER to the SSS;

5. Register with the My.SSS portal of the SSS website to easily verify and monitor posting of his/her contributions and loan repayments reported by his/her ER;

6. Update or correct his/her personal data and records thru the submission of Member Data Change Request (SSS Form E-4) supported by the required documents;

7. Apply for a UMID card, if with at least one (1) posted monthly contribution, and always use the said card for SSS transactions; and

8. Be aware of changes and enhancement in SSS policies and benefit structure. What are the duties and responsibilities of SE, VM, OFW and NWS? 1. Secure an SS Number and register as an SE, OFW or NWS. Pay his/her contributions using

the Contributions Payment Return Form in accordance with the prescribed schedule and deadline.

OFW-members with existing SS Numbers may resume payment of contributions as OFWs using their existing SS Number.

25

2. Ensure the accurate posting of his/her contributions to facilitate processing of claims for benefits and loan privileges by indicating his/her correct SS Number, payment details and “Type of Payor” on the Contributions Payment Return Form. The “Type of Payor” should correspond to his/her current membership type either as “Self-employed,” “Voluntary,” “OFW,” or “Non-Working Spouse.”

3. Pay his/her loan repayments on time through the Member Loan Payment Return Form (SSS Form ML-1) in accordance with the schedule and deadline to avoid penalties for late payments.

4. Register with the My.SSS portal of the SSS website, if with at least one (1) posted monthly contribution, to easily verify and monitor posting of his/her contributions and loan payments.

5. Update his/her personal data and records with the SSS through Member Data Change Request (SSS Form E-4) supported by the required documents.

6. Apply for a UMID card, if with at least one (1) posted monthly contribution, and always use the said card for SSS transactions.

7. Be aware of changes and enhancements in SSS policies and benefit structure. What is the UMID card?

Considered as the first line of defense against attempts to defraud the System, the SSS ID

has evolved from a simple computerized print-out on a yellow piece of cardboard, to a plastic card with security features such the member’s fingerprint and other biometric information stored in the two-dimensional bar code on the card’s surface. The Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) card is the third-generation ID card of the SSS, which now uses contact-less smartchip technology that stores the member’s SSS information and biometric data such as fingerprints, facial image and signature.

The UMID streamlines the identification systems of SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth and Pag-

IBIG. The SSS issues UMID cards to its members comprising of private sector workers, GSIS to its members of public sector workers, and PhilHealth to those not covered by either SSS or GSIS.

The UMID card aims to reduce costs to the public by doing away with multiple ID cards

and redundant databases. The SSS is the lead agency tasked to implement the project because of its experience in managing a large-scale biometric ID system. The UMID cards are produced in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), which was tapped by the SSS to undertake the data capture of card applicants under the UMID System through their data capture stations that are set up in SSS branches and postal offices nationwide. Mobile data capture services are also provided at requesting employers’ offices and at remote islands and barangays for members’ convenience. What are the UMID’s security features and processes?

The SSS started production of these cards using the facilities of its ID Card Center for

26

centralized validation of card applications, quality control, and packaging or enveloping of the cards for mailing. A Central Verification System performs the biometric matching to ensure that members are not issued duplicate cards.

The UMID System uses biometric technology to confirm a person’s identity and prevent

issuance of multiple UMID cards that may be used to defraud SSS. To ensure that only one (1) UMID card will be issued to an individual, the member’s fingerprints are compared with others in the database during the centralized biometric data matching process. This is done overnight, after applications are received at the branches.

Applications with a fingerprint-match are immediately investigated by SSS, while those

passing the uniqueness check are assigned a Common Reference Number (CRN), and then sent for card printing and personalization of the contactless smartchip. Each printed card undergoes visual quality inspection and forwarded for readability check and data verification of the smartchip. The UMID card is then packaged and sent to PhilPost for delivery via registered mail. Mailing takes five (5) to seven (7) working days for addresses in Metro Manila, seven (7) to ten (10) working days for outside Metro Manila, and ten (10) to 20 working days for remote areas. What enhancements has the UMID card undergone?

Apart from identification purposes, the UMID card can now be used in withdrawing benefits and loan proceeds from ATMs. Loan releases and benefit payments can now be paid via deposit to the bank account of the member or beneficiary where the UMID card as an ATM card is enrolled. The SSS also recently made design upgrades to its UMID card, which is featured on those issued to members who applied for the card from November 9, 2015 onwards.

Personal infor-

mation are now engraved to avoid unauthorized card reproduction, and the enhanced color pattern for the background is embed-ded with international security features. The member’s photo was also moved from right to left in compliance with international standards for travel documents. The back of the card is plain white, with just a silver magnetic stripe. The logos of the four (4) agencies were removed to provide space for bank information once the card is ready for receiving loan and benefit proceeds. The card material was also changed to polycarbonate to enhance its durability.

27

In line with UMID implementation of the participating agencies, UMID cards that will be

issued by the GSIS to its members by the end of 2016 will have the same design upgrades. Members issued cards with the previous UMID design or those with SSS 2-D biometric

ID cards do not need to apply for a new UMID card since these are still accepted at SSS branches and self-service terminals. How does one apply for the UMID card? 1. Initial Application

A. The card-issuing agency for private sector workers is the SSS, for government sector

workers is the GSIS, and those not covered by SSS and GSIS, particularly the indigents, is PhilHealth. The current employment of individuals who are both members of GSIS and SSS shall be the basis of which will be the UMID card-issuing agency.

B. The application of a member with a UMID card issued by GSIS or PhilHealth shall not be

accepted on the basis of the one-card policy of the UMID system.

C. Covered SSS members who qualify for “Initial Enrollment” shall submit their UMID card applications at the nearest SSS branch, free of charge, subject to the following conditions:

Member has at least one (1) month contribution and a valid DOC; and

Member has no existing SS ID/UMID card.

D. Death survivorship pensioners who qualify for “Initial Enrollment” shall submit their UMID applications at the nearest SSS branch, free of charge, provided the survivorship pensioner has no existing SS ID/UMID card.

E. House helpers without posted contribution/s may qualify for “Initial Enrollment” subject

to the following conditions:

Membership status of the house helper is “Permanent”; and

Member must present the proof of contribution payment (validated Contribution Payment Return Form) made at the branch tellering facility.

2. Member Information

A. The following information in the UMID Card Application Form and SSS

membership database must be the same:

SS Number

Name (First Name, Middle Name, Last Name)

Date of Birth

Gender/Sex

B. An applicant with incorrect or incomplete membership data (e.g., no middle name, or with middle initial only) shall be required to file a Member’s Data Change Request (SSS Form E-4) prior to UMID card enrollment.

28

C. All fields in the UMID Card Application Form must be properly completed, particularly the address, and without erasures and alterations. Always indicate “N/A” or “Not Applicable,” if the required data is not applicable.

D. At least one (1) contact information detail (such as email address, home landline or mobile phone number) must be provided by the applicant in order for the SSS to notify him/her on the status of the card application.

E. For those who wish to enroll their UMID as an ATM card, the applicant must specify the preferred SSS-accredited bank on the application form.

F. The applicant should indicate his/her permanent address rather than the temporary

mailing address. For example, if he/she has permanent residence in the province but is working or staying in Metro Manila during weekdays, he/she should indicate the provincial address instead of the Metro Manila address.

What documents are needed to apply for the UMID card?

A member who will secure an UMID card for the first time should accomplish and submit the UMID Card Application Form and present the original or certified true copy of the below-listed required ID cards and/or documents.

Any one (1) of the following Primary ID cards and/or documents

Passport

Driver’s License

PRC Card

Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book)

In the absence of the above Primary ID cards and/or documents, any two (2) of the following Secondary ID cards/documents, both of which should bear the correct name of the person, and at least one (1) with the correct date of birth:

Postal ID

School or Company ID

TIN Card

Membership Card issued by Private Companies

OWWA Card

Senior Citizen card

Voter’s ID card/Affidavit/Certificate of Registration with COMELEC

Alien Certificate of Registration

ATM card with cardholder’s name; or bank certification if without cardholder’s name

Birth Certificate

Bank Account Passbook

Baptismal Certificate

Credit card

Firearm License Card issued by the PNP

Fishworker’s License issued by BFAR

GSIS Card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership

Health or Medical Card

29

Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form

ID Card issued by LGUs (e.g., Barangay/Municipality/City)

ID Card issued by professional associations recognized by the PRC

Life Insurance Policy

Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate

NBI Clearance

PhilHealth Member’s Data Record

Police Clearance

Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA

Student Permit issued by the LTO

Transcript of School Records

Certificate from National Commission on Indigenous Peoples or Office of Muslim Affairs

Certificate of Licensure/Qualification documents from MARINA

Certificate of Naturalization from BI

Birth/Baptismal Certificate of child/children or its equivalent Can the UMID card be replaced if it is damaged, lost, or found erroneous?

A replacement fee of P300 shall be charged for the replacement of the old SSS 2D-

Barcode ID card to the UMID card. The same fee shall apply for the following:

Correction/Change of name (e.g., from maiden name to married name)

Correction of date/place of birth and/or sex

Replacement of lost/damaged card

Change of home address

Change of authenticating finger due to amputation/sickness (e.g., index to middle finger)

Update of member’s photo

Change of old card to new card

Change of specimen signature printed on the card

Meanwhile, no fees will be charged for card replacement due to the following reasons:

A. Erroneous encoding of data in the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) and/or Member Data Change Form (SSS Form E-4); however, the data in the SSS Form E-1 or SSS Form E-4 will be compared against the data from the SSS online inquiry system to check for erroneous encoding.

B. Erroneous screening of previous card application, such as the following:

Personal data in the Application for SSS Card Form (SSS Form E-6) is different from the online inquiry at the time the card application was made (e.g., different name, different date of birth)

Applicant surrenders an SSS 2D-Barcode ID card with cancelled or inactive SS Number at the time of card application.

Applicant surrenders an SSS 2D-Barcode ID card with an SS Number that belongs to another person.

Applicant surrenders either an SSS 2D-Barcode ID card or UMID card with the wrong photo but correct demographic data (e.g., wrong person captured).

A confirmation from the ID Card Production Department that card replacement fee will be waived due to poor quality image/print on the card

30

C. For card replacement, pay the required fee at any SSS branch office/accredited

bank/collecting agent. Submit the validated Miscellaneous Payment Form (SSS Form R-6) or Special Bank Receipt (SBR) with the SSS Form R-6 to the nearest SSS branch office when submitting the UMID card application.

D. Applicants for a new UMID card under their active SS Number but have a previously-

issued SS ID/UMID card under their inactive/cancelled SS Number shall be required to undergo ID card replacement procedures.

E. A replacement fee shall be required in case of application for replacement of an SS

ID/UMID card under inactive/cancelled SS Number, which was applied when the SS Number was still active.

F. Applicants for card replacement must surrender the old SS ID/UMID card. For lost or

non-received cards, the submission of a duly-notarized affidavit of non-receipt of card, or notarized affidavit of loss is required.

31

CCOONNTTRRIIBBUUTTIIOONNSS

Monthly contributions are based on the compensation of SSS members and payable

under the two (2) programs: Social Security (SS) – ELEVEN PERCENT (11%) of the monthly salary credit

(MSC) not exceeding P16,000, and paid by both employer (7.37%) and employee (3.63%), effective January 1, 2014.

Employees Compensation (EC) – Starting January 1, 2007, TEN PESOS (P10) for

employees with an MSC of P14,500 and below, and THIRTY PESOS (P30) for employees with an MSC of P15,000 and up; paid only by the employer.

The MSC means the compensation base for contributions and benefits related to the total

earnings for the month. The maximum covered earnings or compensation, or the maximum MSC, is P16,000, effective January 1, 2014.

For an employed-member, the MSC is based on the total actual remuneration from employment, including the mandated cost of living allowance, as well as the cash value of any remuneration paid in any medium other than cash, except that part of remuneration received during the month in excess of the maximum MSC as provided under Section 18 of RA 1161 as amended by RA 8282 (Social Security Act of 1997).

For self-employed and certain voluntary members, the monthly earnings declared at the time of registration shall be the basis of the MSC. However, the declared earnings should not be lower than P1,000 per month, except for OFW-members whose minimum MSC is pegged at P5,000, effective January 1, 2004.

What is the range of compensation and their equivalent MSC of an SSS member?

Following is the table showing the compensation range and its corresponding MSC, effective January 1, 2014. To get the payable SSS contribution amount per month, multiply the applicable MSC by eleven percent (11%).

32

What is the basis for determining the initial MSC and monthly contributions of an SSS member? The amount of monthly contribution to be paid by members is always based on the latest Schedule of Contributions issued by the SSS. 1. For SE

a. The monthly earnings declared by an SE in his/her registration form (Personal Record Form or Member Data Change Request Form) shall be the basis of MSC and the corresponding amount of monthly contribution.

b. The SE is not required to present proof of declared monthly earnings. 2. For VM

a. The MSC and corresponding amount of contribution shall be determined as follows:

If coverage as VM is for the first time, the member shall have the option to choose any MSC from the existing Contribution Schedule, regardless of his/her age and last posted MSC prior to becoming a VM.

For succeeding coverage as VM (i.e., a VM turned EE/SE/OFW and subsequently reverts to being a VM), the MSC is subject to the policies under Change in MSC.

Range of Compensation MSC Range of Compensation MSC

P 1,000 – P 1,249.99 1,000 P 8,750 – P 9,249.99 9,000

P 1,250 – P 1,749.99 1,500 P 9,250 – P 9,749.99 9,500

P 1,750 – P 2,249.99 2,000 P 9,750 – P 10,249.99 10,000

P 2,250 – P 2,749.99 2,500 P 10,250 – P 10,749.99 10,500

P 2,750 – P 3,249.99 3,000 P 10,750 – P 11,249.99 11,000

P 3,250 – P 3,749.99 3,500 P 11,250 – P 11,749.99 11,500

P 3,750 – P 4,249.99 4,000 P 11,750 – P 12,249.99 12,000

P 4,250 – P 4,749.99 4,500 P 12,250 – P 12,749.99 12,500

P 4,750 – P 5,249.99 5,000 P 12,750 – P 13,249.99 13,000

P 5,250 – P 5,749.99 5,500 P 13,250 – P 13,749.99 13,500

P 5,750 – P 6,249.99 6,000 P 13,750 – P 14,249.99 14,000

P 6,250 – P 6,749.99 6,500 P 14,250 – P 14,749.99 14,500

P 6,750 – P 7,249.99 7,000 P 14,750 – P 15,249.99 15,000

P 7,250 – P 7,749.99 7,500 P 15,250 – P 15,749.99 15,500

P 7,750 – P 8,249.99 8,000 P 15,750 and over 16,000

P 8,250 – P 8,749.99 8,500

33

3. For OFW

a. The monthly earnings declared by an OFW in his/her Personal Record Form at the time of registration shall be the basis of the initial MSC and the corresponding amount of monthly contribution, but in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing MSC for OFWs.

b. The OFW is not required to present proof of declared monthly earnings. 4. For NWS

a. Fifty percent (50%) of the working spouse’s declared monthly income shall be the basis of the NWS’ initial MSC and the corresponding amount of monthly contribution.

b. In case the fifty percent (50%) of the working spouse’s declared monthly income does not correspond to any MSC in the Contribution Schedule, the immediately higher MSC shall be the basis.

How and when can a member change his/her MSC? 1. For SE

a. An SE member is allowed to change his/her MSC to an MSC higher or lower than the one indicated in his/her registration form (Personal Record Form or Member Data Change Request Form), depending on actual earnings, without having to present proof thereof.

b. An SE member who is below 55 years old is allowed to change his/her MSC without limit in frequency and in number of salary brackets in a given calendar year. However, in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC for SE members. Submission of written request or declaration of earnings is not required.

c. On the other hand, an SE member who is 55 years old and above is allowed to increase his/her MSC only once in a given calendar year and by one (1) salary bracket only from the last posted MSC, whether proof of earnings is presented or not.

The only exception to the above case is when the SE member is already contributing at the maximum MSC and a higher maximum MSC is implemented under a new Schedule of Contributions. In that case, he/she will be allowed to increase his/her MSC to the new maximum MSC, provided that his/her last posted MSC corresponds to the maximum MSC under the immediately preceding Schedule of Contributions.

d. No limit in frequency and amount shall be imposed in case of decrease in MSC, but in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC.

2. For VM

a. A VM who is below 55 years old is allowed to change his/her MSC without limit in frequency and in number of salary brackets in a given calendar year, but in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC. Submission of written request is not required.

b. A VM who is 55 years old and above, however, is allowed to increase his/her MSC only once in a given calendar year and by one (1) salary bracket only from the last posted MSC, except for the following cases whereby certain rules shall apply accordingly:

34

In case of a change in his/her membership type from EE/SE to “VM” for the first time, he/she shall be allowed to increase his/her MSC without limit; and

In case of a higher maximum MSC under a new applicable Schedule of Contributions, he/she shall be allowed to increase his/her MSC up to the new maximum MSC, provided that his/her last posted MSC corresponds to the maximum MSC under the immediately preceding Schedule of Contributions.

The corresponding MSC of the first contribution in the above cases shall be the basis in determining compliance with the allowable change in succeeding MSC.

c. No limit in frequency and amount shall be imposed in case of decrease in MSC, but in no

case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC. 3. For OFW

a. For the initial payment, an OFW is allowed to change his/her MSC to an MSC higher or lower than the one indicated in his/her Personal Record Form, depending on actual deployment and realization of earnings abroad, without having to present any proof thereof, provided that the chosen MSC is not lower than the prevailing minimum MSC for OFWs. Said contribution shall be deemed as the new declaration of earnings and shall be made the basis in determining compliance with the allowable change in succeeding MSC.

b. An OFW who is below 55 years old is allowed to change his/her MSC without limit in frequency and in number of salary brackets in a given calendar year, but in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC for OFWs. Submission of written request or declaration of earnings is no longer required.

c. An OFW who is 55 years old and above is allowed to increase his/her MSC only once in a given calendar year and by one (1) salary bracket only from the last posted MSC, regardless of whether proof of earnings is presented or not, except for the following cases whereby certain rules shall apply accordingly:

In case of a change in his/her membership type from EE/SE/VM/NWS to “OFW-member” for the first time, he/she is allowed to increase his/her MSC without limit and without having to present proof of earnings; and

In case of a higher maximum MSC under a new applicable Schedule of Contributions, he/she is allowed to increase the MSC up to the new maximum MSC, without having to present proof of earnings, provided that the last posted MSC corresponds to the maximum MSC under the immediately preceding Schedule of Contributions.

The corresponding MSC of the first contribution in the above cases is the basis in determining compliance with the allowable change in succeeding MSC.

d. No limit in frequency and amount shall be imposed in case of decrease in MSC, but in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC.

4. For NWS

a. A NWS member is allowed to change his/her MSC based on fifty percent (50%) of the working spouse’s declared monthly income, without having to present any proof thereof.

35

What are the different channels for paying SSS contributions? FOR REGULAR EMPLOYERS

SSS Branches with Tellering Facilities

SSS-accredited Banks

Electronic Payment Facilities

Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA)

Banco de Oro Metrobank Bank of the Philippine Islands Philippine National Bank Country Builders Bank Philippine Savings Bank First Consolidated Bank United Coconut Planters Bank

SSS Net (Electronic Data Interchange/E-Gov)

Union Bank of the Philippines (One Hub) Bank of the Philippine Islands (E-Link) Security Bank (Real Time) Banco de Oro (EC-Link)

FOR HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYERS

SSS Branches with Tellering Facilities

SSS-accredited Banks

Electronic Payment Facilities

Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA) FOR SELF-EMPLOYED, VOLUNTARY, OFW AND NWS-MEMBERS

SSS Branches with Tellering Facilities

SSS-accredited Banks

Electronic Payment Facilities

Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA) Bayad Center outlets Bancnet Online G-Xchange (G-Cash) SM Business Center

SSS-accredited Cooperatives and other Organized Groups as Collection Partner Agents

OVERSEAS ELECTRONIC PAYMENT (E-PAYMENT) CHANNELS

Participating overseas branches, remittance offices, and authorized agents of SSS-accredited collection partners:

Banks Non-Banks Asia United Bank i-Remit Banco de Oro Lucky Money, Inc. Bank of Commerce Skyfreight Philippine National Bank Ventaja

36

How should the member pay the monthly contributions?

1. For EEs, including household helpers whose monthly salary is P5,000 and above –through monthly salary deduction, starting on the first month of employment.

The ER should use Contributions Payment Return Form for over-the-counter payments at SSS branches or accredited banks, Bayad Centers or SM Payment Centers. The HR may also pay through the ADA.

2. For SE members, including informal sector workers enrolled through AlkanSSSya,

KaltaSSS-Collect, or Subsidy Program for farmers/fishermen – monthly or quarterly, upon approval of membership and based on the payment deadline. SE members should use Contributions Payment Return Form for over-the-counter payment at SSS branches or accredited banks, Bayad Centers or SM Payment Centers. They may also pay through the ADA and BancNet’s online facility, or thru SSS-accredited Cooperatives and organized groups as Collection Partner Agents.

3. For VM and NWS – monthly or quarterly, upon approval of membership (for NWS) and

based on the payment deadline.

VM should use Contributions Payment Return Form for over-the-counter payment at SSS branches or accredited banks, Bayad Centers or SM Payment Centers. They may also pay through the ADA and BancNet’s online facility.

4. For OFW members – Anytime during the applicable year, using the Contributions Payment Return Form for over-the-counter payment at SSS branches or at local SSS-accredited banks, or using the payment detail/transaction form of e-payment collection partners at their e-payment facilities, local or overseas. They may also enroll their bank account with participating local SSS-accredited banks for ADA for their contributions, or pay through the internet through Bancnet Online or Ventaja’s PayPilipinas facility.

When is the remittance of contributions due? For regular ERs and HRs:

If 10th digit of the 13-digit ER/HR number ends in:

Payment Deadline (following the applicable month)

1 or 2 10th day of the month

3 or 4 15th day of the month

5 or 6 20th day of the month

7 or 8 25th day of the month

9 or 0 Last day of the month

For instance, if the ER/HR ID Number is 03-1234567-8-012, the payment deadline for both contributions and member loans for the applicable month of June shall be on July 25. The frequency of payment shall remain on a monthly basis for regular ERs and HRs.

37

For SE and VM except OFW-members:

If 10th (last) digit of the SS number ends in:

Payment Deadline [following the applicable month or quarter (for SE/VM only)

as the case may be]

1 or 2 10th day of the month

3 or 4 15th day of the month

5 or 6 20th day of the month

7 or 8 25th day of the month

9 or 0 Last day of the month

For example: if the SS Number is 01-2345678-9, the payment deadline for both contribution and member loans for the applicable month of June or quarter ending June, in case of quarterly payments from SE and VM, is July 31. For OFWs:

Applicable Month Payment Deadline

January to September of a given calendar year December 31 of the same year

October to December of a given calendar year January 31 of the succeeding year

However, no contribution paid retroactively by an OFW-member based on the above

contribution deadlines shall be used in determining his/her eligibility to any benefit arising from a contingency wherein the payment date is within or after the semester of contingency. Note:

In case the payment deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, payment may be made on the next working day. Otherwise, penalties shall be imposed on late contribution and member loan payments of ERs and late member loan payments of SE and VM; while late contribution payments of SE and VM shall be applied prospectively. The frequency of payment for SE and VM is on a monthly or quarterly basis. Any payment for one, two or all months for a calendar quarter may be made. Can members pay their contributions in advance?

Yes. SE and VM, including NWS and OFWs, can pay their contributions in advance, regardless of number of months or years. However, in case of changes in the SSS contribution rate or MSC that are approved and implemented in the interim period, those who paid in advance may incur underpayments or out-of-level/ineffective payments. To ensure that their contributions are retained at their intended MSC level, affected members must settle the underpayment; otherwise, their contributions would be posted at the applicable lower MSC level.

Advanced payments are only considered for the computation of loans and benefits when

the month corresponding to the payment has transpired.

38

*The minimum monthly salary credit for OFWs is P5,000.

What happens to contributions that are paid late?

Late contribution payments are applied prospectively; thus, missed months shall remain as payment gaps since retroactive payments are not allowed. When and how should ERs report contribution payments to the SSS? 1. All ERs (except HRs) regardless of their number of EEs, shall submit their electronic-format

Collection Contribution List (e-R3) through any electronic storage media (USB flash drive or compact disc). They may also submit their e-R3 online thru their My.SSS account in the SSS website.

Printed hardcopy or paper-based SSS Form R-3 shall no longer be accepted from ERs.

2. For HRs, they may submit their contribution collection list either through electronic format or hardcopy/paper-based.

3. Submission of Collection Contribution List (SSS Form R-3) is quarterly, on or before the 10th day of the month after the applicable quarter ending March, June, September and December.

CCOONNTTRRIIBBUUTTIIOONN SSCCHHEEDDUULLEE Effective January 2014

39

BBEENNEEFFIITTSS

Covered employed members are entitled to a package of benefits under the SS and EC Programs in the event of sickness, maternity, disability, old age, and death. Self-employed and voluntary members also get the same benefits as covered employed members, except for the benefits under the EC program. Basically, the SSS provides for a partial replacement of income lost on account of the aforementioned contingencies.

SSIICCKKNNEESSSS What is the Sickness Benefit? The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.

How does an SSS member qualify for sickness benefit? A member is qualified to avail of this benefit if:

1. He/She is unable to work due to sickness or injury and confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four (4) days;

2. He/She has paid at least three (3) months of contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of sickness or injury;

3. He/She has used up all current company sick leaves with pay; and

4. He/She has notified the ER, or directly the SSS, if separated from employment, VM or SE regarding his/her sickness or injury.

How much sickness benefit is a member entitled to receive? The amount of sickness benefit per day is equivalent to ninety percent (90%) of the member’s average daily salary credit (ADSC).

How is the sickness benefit computed?

1. Exclude the semester of sickness.

A semester refers to two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of sickness. A quarter refers to three consecutive months ending March, June, September or December.

2. Count twelve (12) months backwards starting from the month immediately before the semester of sickness.

40

3. Identify the six (6) highest MSCs within the 12-month period.

Monthly salary credit (MSC) means the compensation base for contributions and benefits related to the total earnings for the month. The maximum covered earnings or compensation is P16,000, effective January 1, 2014. Please refer to the following table:

4. Add the six (6) highest MSCs to get the total MSC.

5. Divide the total MSC by 180 days to get the ADSC.

6. Multiply the ADSC by ninety percent (90%) to get the daily sickness allowance.

7. Multiply the daily sickness allowance by the approved number of days to arrive at the amount of benefit due.

For example, an SSS member got sick or was injured in October 2015 for 20 days:

a) The semester of sickness would be from July 2015 to December 2015.

b) The 12-month period would be from July 2014 to June 2015, within which the six (6) highest MSC will be chosen.

c) Let us assume that the six (6) highest MSC are P15,000 each. The total MSC would then be P90,000 (P15,000 x 6).

d) Divide the total MSC by 180 to get the ADSC, or P500 (P90,000 ÷ 180).

e) The daily sickness allowance is 90 percent (90%) of the ADSC (P500 x 90%), or P450.

Range of Compensation MSC Range of Compensation MSC

P 1,000 – P 1,249.99 1,000 P 8,750 – P 9,249.99 9,000

P 1,250 – P 1,749.99 1,500 P 9,250 – P 9,749.99 9,500

P 1,750 – P 2,249.99 2,000 P 9,750 – P 10,249.99 10,000

P 2,250 – P 2,749.99 2,500 P 10,250 – P 10,749.99 10,500

P 2,750 – P 3,249.99 3,000 P 10,750 – P 11,249.99 11,000

P 3,250 – P 3,749.99 3,500 P 11,250 – P 11,749.99 11,500

P 3,750 – P 4,249.99 4,000 P 11,750 – P 12,249.99 12,000

P 4,250 – P 4,749.99 4,500 P 12,250 – P 12,749.99 12,500

P 4,750 – P 5,249.99 5,000 P 12,750 – P 13,249.99 13,000

P 5,250 – P 5,749.99 5,500 P 13,250 – P 13,749.99 13,500

P 5,750 – P 6,249.99 6,000 P 13,750 – P 14,249.99 14,000

P 6,250 – P 6,749.99 6,500 P 14,250 – P 14,749.99 14,500

P 6,750 – P 7,249.99 7,000 P 14,750 – P 15,249.99 15,000

P 7,250 – P 7,749.99 7,500 P 15,250 – P 15,749.99 15,500

P 7,750 – P 8,249.99 8,000 P 15,750 and over 16,000

P 8,250 – P 8,749.99 8,500

41

f) Multiply the daily sickness allowance by the number of sick days (P450 x 20 days), resulting in a sickness benefit due of P9,000.

How many days in a year can a member avail of the sickness benefit? A member can be granted sickness benefit for a maximum of 120 days in one (1) calendar year. Any unused portion of the allowable 120 days sickness benefit cannot be carried forward nor added to the total number of allowed compensable days for the following year.

The sickness benefit shall be paid for not more than 240 days on account of the same illness. If the sickness or injury still persists after 240 days, the claim will be considered a disability claim.

Who should an EE notify regarding the sickness or injury? An EE should notify the ER within five (5) calendar days after the start of sickness or injury. The ER, in turn, must notify the SSS of the confinement within (5) calendar days after receipt of the notification from the EE. Notification to the ER shall be made within one (1) year from start of confinement if the member’s confinement is in a hospital. If the member got sick or was injured while working or while he/she was within the company premises, sickness notification shall be made within ten (10) days from the start of confinement. In this case, the ER must notify the SSS within ten (10) calendar days from the start of the EE’s sickness or injury while he/she was working or while within the company premises. What is the procedure on notification for a member separated from employment, and for SE and VM? Members separated from employment, SE, or VM should notify the SSS directly within five (5) calendar days after the start of confinement, unless such confinement is in a hospital, in which case, notification should be made within one (1) year from start of confinement. What are the effects of failure or delay in notification? 1. If the EE notifies the ER, or the SSS (in the case of a member separated from employment,

SE or VM), beyond the prescribed five-day period, the confinement shall be deemed to have started not earlier than the fifth day immediately preceding the date of notification. For example:

a) Member is employed. Home confinement period was from March 1 to 31, 2014 (31 days).

Notifications made: EE to ER – March 8, 2014 (must be within March 2 to 6) ER to SSS – March 13, 2014 (must be within March 9 to 13)

Compensable period: March 3 to March 31, 2014 only (29 days)

42

b) SE/VM/Member separated from employment. Home confinement period was from

March 1 to March 31, 2014 (31 days).

Notifications made: Member to SSS – March 8, 2014 (must be within March 2 to 6)

Compensable period: March 3 to 31, 2014 only (29 days) 2. If the ER notifies the SSS beyond five (5) calendar days after receipt of the notification from

the EE, the ER shall be reimbursed only for each day of confinement starting from the 10th calendar day immediately preceding the date of notification to SSS.

For example: Member is employed. Home confinement period was from March 1 to 31, 2014 (31 days).

Notifications made: EE to ER – March 5, 2014 (must be within March 2 to 6) ER to SSS – March 15, 2014 (must be within March 7 to 11)

Compensable period: March 5 to March 31, 2014 only (31 days applied by ER will be reduced to only 27 days for the ER’s reimbursement)

3. If the EE has given the required notification to the ER, but the latter fails to notify the SSS of

the confinement within the prescribed period resulting in the reduction of the benefit or denial of the claim, the ER shall have no right to recover the daily sickness allowance advanced to the EE.

How would an employed member be paid sickness benefit? The payment of the daily sickness allowance is advanced by the ER every regular payday. The SSS will then reimburse the ER of the amount legally advanced upon receipt of satisfactory proof of such payment and legality thereof. For this purpose, all ERs are required to enroll in the “Sickness and Maternity Benefits Payment thru-the-Bank Program” (SMB-PTB), wherein SSS reimbursements will be deposited directly to the existing savings/current account of the ER in an SSS-accredited bank. The Payment Advice containing the payment details of the Sickness-Maternity reimbursement will be sent to the ER thru his/her My.SSS account in the SSS website. The SSS will reimburse the ER only for confinements within the one-year period immediately preceding the date the claim for benefit or reimbursement is received by the SSS, except for confinements in hospital.

For example, the SSS received the ER’s reimbursement claim on October 3, 2015 for the EE’s sickness period of September 23 to October 14, 2014. The ER will be reimbursed for the period October 3 to 14, 2014 only, as September. 23 to October 2, 2014 already falls outside the prescribed one-year period for reimbursement claim.

43

How about the member separated from employment, the SE or VM? The sickness benefit will be paid directly by the SSS to the member separated from employment, SE and VM through their single savings/current/cash card/prepaid account in SSS-accredited banks under the SMB-PTB.

For this purpose, the member, whose approved benefit amount is more than P1,000 and whose address is within thirty (30) kilometers to the nearest SSS-accredited bank, is required to open a single savings or current account, or to use his/her existing one with an SSS-accredited bank, to which the benefit payment will be remitted.

If the member does not have an existing bank account, the SSS shall issue a Letter of

Introduction (LOI) form that must be presented to the SSS-accredited bank chosen by the member for the purposes of opening a single savings account or cash card account.

The member shall then be notified by SSS via e-mail or text of their benefit payment.

What is the prescribed period in filing a claim for sickness benefit of a member confined in a hospital?

For hospital confinement, the claim for benefit must be filed within one (1) year from the date of discharge. For home confinement, the sickness benefit claim must be filed within one (1) year from the start of illness. Failure to file the claim within the prescribed period will result in the reduction of the benefit or the denial of the claim.

What forms and documents are needed in filing for sickness benefit? In filing for Sickness Notification (for Employed Members) 1. If filed personally by member:

a) Sickness Notification (SN) Form

b) ID card/s and/or document/s

c) Medical documents, if any

In case of work-related claims, all the above-listed documents, plus the following:

a) Accident/Sickness Report from ER, if work-connected; and

b) Police Report (for vehicular accident with third party involvement), if work-related; and

c) Photocopy of ER’s logbook

In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:

a) Laboratory, X-ray, ECG and other diagnostic results

b) Operating room/clinical records that will support diagnosis

In case of sickness that occurred while on strike/shutdown, original/certified true copy of the following:

44

a) Certificate of Notice of Strike issued by DOLE

b) Certificate of Foreclosure

c) Certification from the DOLE that the employee or employer has a pending labor case

d) Certificate of Non-advancement of Payment from Employer

Note:

- A Medical Specialist shall determine other required medical documents based on a separate checklist.

- For sickness or injury acquired abroad, documents issued by the foreign country should be in English translation and must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate Office, or duly notarized by a notary public from the host country.

2. If filed through Company Representative:

a) System-generated Transmittal List (TL) or System-generated Acknowledgment Letter, if filed through Electronic Notification; or Employer TL

b) SN Form

c) Member’s ID card/s and/or document/s (photocopy)

d) Medical documents, if any

In case of work-related claims, all the above-listed documents, plus the following:

a) Accident/Sickness Report from ER, if work-connected; and

b) Police Report (for vehicular accident with third party involvement), if work-related; and

c) Photocopy of ER’s logbook In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:

a) Laboratory, X-ray, ECG and other diagnostic results

b) Operating room/clinical records that will support diagnosis In case of sickness that occurred while on strike/shutdown, original/certified true copy of the following:

a) Certificate of Notice of Strike issued by DOLE

b) Certificate of Foreclosure

c) Certification from the DOLE that the EE or ER has a pending labor case

d) Certificate of Non-advancement of Payment from ER

Note:

- A Medical Specialist shall determine other required medical documents based on a separate checklist.

- For sickness or injury acquired abroad, documents issued by the foreign country should be in English translation and must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate Office, or duly notarized by a notary public from the host country.

45

In filing for Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application (For Employed Members)

1. Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application (SBRA) Form

2. Approved SN Form or Certificate of Medical Approval issued by the SSS Medical Evaluation Section

3. Copy of page of ER’s Logbook (manual logbook or electronic filing) for approved EC claim

4. Member or Filer’s SS card or other valid ID cards/documents as listed below:

A. Primary ID Cards/Documents SS card UMID card Passport PRC card

Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book)

B. Secondary ID Cards/Documents Alien Certificate of Registration ATM card (with cardholder’s name)

Bank Account Passbook Company or School ID card Certificate of Confirmation issued by National Commission on Indigenous People Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Documents from MARINA

Certificate of Naturalization Credit Card Court Order granting petition for change of name or date of birth Driver’s License Firearm License card issued by PNP

Fishworker’s License card issued by BFAR GSIS card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership Health or Medical card ID card issued by LGUs (e.g. Barangay/Municipality/City)

ID card issued by professional association recognized by PRC Life Insurance Policy of member Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate NBI Clearance OWWA card

Pag-IBIG Transaction Card/Member’s Data Form PhilHealth ID card/Member’s Data Record Police Clearance Postal ID card

Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA Senior Citizen card Student Permit issued by LTO TIN card

Transcript of Records Voter’s Identification card or Voter’s Affidavit / Certificate of Registration

46

1. If filed by ER or HR

Present the original of any one (1) of the ER’s/HR’s primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo (as listed in Page 45). 2. If filed by Company Representative

Present the Authorized Company Representative (ACR) Card, or if without ACR Card (not available at the time of filing) present the following:

Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued by the ER’s authorized signatory reflected in the Specimen Signature Card (SS Form L-501); and

Original company ID of company representative.

3. If filed by ER Representative

LOA issued by the ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in the SS Form L-501 Original company ID of ER representative.

Note: If member is entitled to SS and EC Sickness Benefit, fill out Part IIB of the SBRA for the computation of both benefits.

In filing for Sickness Benefit Application (For SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment)

1. Sickness Benefit Application (SBA) Form

2. Copy of page of ER’s Logbook (manual logbook or electronic filing) for approved EC claim

3. If filed by Member, present original of any one (1) of the primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo (as listed in Page 45).

4. If filed by Member’s Representative, present the following: Original of any one (1) of the Authorized Representative’s primary ID

cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one with photo (as listed in Page 45); and

Original of any one (1) of the Member’s primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo (as listed in Page 45).

5. In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:

a) Laboratory, X-ray, ECG and other diagnostic results

b) Operating room/clinical records that will support diagnosis

6. Present the original/certified true copy and submit the photocopy of the following additional required documents, whichever is applicable:

For SE and VM (previously employed)

If confinement period applied for is within the period of employment or prior to date of separation

47

- Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation and that no advance payment was granted (signed by the ER’s authorized signatory reflected in SS Form L-501)

For Member Separated from Employment

If confinement period applied for is within the period of employment or prior to date of separation

- Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation and that no advance payment was granted (signed by the ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in SS Form L-501)

If confinement period applied for is after the date of separation

- Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation (signed by the ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in SS Form L-501)

Note: Certificate of separation is not required for SE/VM (previously employed) or member separated from employment under any of the following conditions in which supporting document/s shall be required to be submitted, as enumerated below: If company is on strike

- Notice of strike duly acknowledged by the DOLE; and

- Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If company has been dissolved or has ceased operation

Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If there is a case pending before a court regarding separation of member

- Certification from DOLE; and

- Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If separated from employment due to Absence without Leave (AWOL) or with strained relations with the ER

Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

Where can the member file the claim for sickness benefit? Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application (for Employed members) and Sickness Benefit Application (for SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment) can be filed in any SSS branch that is most convenient to ER or member.

48

MMAATTEERRNNIITTYY

MATERNITY BENEFIT What is the Maternity Benefit? The maternity benefit is a daily cash allowance granted to a female member who was unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage. What are the qualifications for entitlement to the maternity benefit?

1. She has paid at least three (3) monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of her childbirth or miscarriage.

2. She has given the required notification of her pregnancy through her ER if employed, or directly to the SSS, if a SE or VM or Member Separated from Employment.

Is the SE or VM also entitled to the maternity benefit? Yes. An SE or VM is entitled to the maternity benefit provided that she meets the qualifying conditions.

How much is the maternity benefit? The maternity benefit is equivalent to 100 percent of the member’s average daily salary credit (ADSC) multiplied by 60 days for normal delivery/miscarriage/ectopic pregnancy without operation/hydatidiform mole (H-mole) and 78 days for caesarean section delivery/ectopic pregnancy with operation. How is the maternity benefit computed?

1. Exclude the semester of contingency (delivery/miscarriage/procedure).

A semester refers to two (2) consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of contingency. A quarter refers to three (3) consecutive months ending March, June, September or December.

2. Count twelve (12) months backwards starting from the month immediately before the semester of contingency.

3. Identify the six (6) highest MSC within the 12-month period.

Monthly salary credit (MSC) means the compensation base for contributions and benefits related to the total earnings for the month. The maximum covered earnings or compensation is P16,000, effective January 1, 2014. Please refer to the following table:

49

4. Add the six (6) highest MSC to get the total MSC.

5. Divide the total MSC by 180 days to get the ADSC. This is equivalent to the daily maternity allowance.

6. Multiply the daily maternity allowance either by 60 or 78 days, as the case may be, to get the total amount of maternity benefit.

For example, an SSS member gave birth in December 2015.

a) The semester of contingency would be from July 2015 to December 2015.

b) The 12-month period before the semester of contingency would be from July 2014 to June 2015.

c) Let us assume that the six (6) highest MSC are P15,000 each. Thus, the total MSC would be P90,000 (P15,000 x 6).

d) The daily maternity allowance would be P500 (P90,000 ÷ 180).

e) Depending on her maternity case, the total maternity benefit due would either be:

P30,000 (P500 x 60 days) for normal delivery/miscarriage/ectopic pregnancy without operation/H-mole, or

P39,000 (P500 x 78 days) for caesarean delivery/ectopic pregnancy with operation.

Range of Compensation MSC Range of Compensation MSC

P 1,000 – P 1,249.99 1,000 P 8,750 – P 9,249.99 9,000

P 1,250 – P 1,749.99 1,500 P 9,250 – P 9,749.99 9,500

P 1,750 – P 2,249.99 2,000 P 9,750 – P 10,249.99 10,000

P 2,250 – P 2,749.99 2,500 P 10,250 – P 10,749.99 10,500

P 2,750 – P 3,249.99 3,000 P 10,750 – P 11,249.99 11,000

P 3,250 – P 3,749.99 3,500 P 11,250 – P 11,749.99 11,500

P 3,750 – P 4,249.99 4,000 P 11,750 – P 12,249.99 12,000

P 4,250 – P 4,749.99 4,500 P 12,250 – P 12,749.99 12,500

P 4,750 – P 5,249.99 5,000 P 12,750 – P 13,249.99 13,000

P 5,250 – P 5,749.99 5,500 P 13,250 – P 13,749.99 13,500

P 5,750 – P 6,249.99 6,000 P 13,750 – P 14,249.99 14,000

P 6,250 – P 6,749.99 6,500 P 14,250 – P 14,749.99 14,500

P 6,750 – P 7,249.99 7,000 P 14,750 – P 15,249.99 15,000

P 7,250 – P 7,749.99 7,500 P 15,250 – P 15,749.99 15,500

P 7,750 – P 8,249.99 8,000 P 15,750 and over 16,000

P 8,250 – P 8,749.99 8,500

50

How many deliveries are covered under existing laws? The maternity benefit shall be paid only for the first four (4) deliveries or miscarriages.

Can a member apply for sickness benefit if she has been paid the maternity benefit? No. A female member cannot claim for sickness benefit for a period of 60 or 78 days, as the case may be, within which she has been paid the maternity benefit. As a rule, no member can be entitled to two (2) benefits for the same period.

Is it necessary to notify the SSS of a member’s pregnancy? Yes. As soon as a member’s pregnancy is confirmed, she must immediately notify her ER (if employed) or the SSS directly (if separated from employment/SE/VM) of the pregnancy and the probable date of her childbirth at least 60 days from the date of conception. She must accomplish Maternity Notification (MN) Form.

The ER must, in turn, notify the SSS through the submission of the Maternity Notification Form immediately after the receipt from the employee. Maternity Notifications may now also be submitted online thru the ER’s account at the SSS website.

If the member gives birth or suffers miscarriage but the contributions were not remitted by the ER, the benefits that the member would have been entitled to shall be paid by the ER. How would the claimant be paid the maternity benefit?

For employed members. The benefit is advanced in full by the ER to the qualified female employee within 30 days from date of filing of the maternity leave application. The SSS, in turn, shall immediately reimburse the ER 100 percent of the amount of maternity benefit advanced to the female employee upon receipt of satisfactory proof of such payment and legality thereof. For this purpose, all ERs are required to enroll in the “Sickness and Maternity Benefits Payment thru-the-Bank Program” (SMB-PTB), wherein SSS reimbursements will be deposited directly to the existing savings/current account of the ER in an SSS-accredited bank. The Payment Advice containing the payment details of the Sickness-Maternity reimbursement will be sent to the ER thru his/her My.SSS account in the SSS website.

For SE/VM or members separated from employment. The maternity benefit is paid directly to them by the SSS thru their single savings/current/cash card/prepaid account in an SSS-accredited bank under the SMB-PTB.

For this purpose, the member, whose approved benefit amount is more than P1,000 and whose address is within thirty (30) kilometers to the nearest SSS-accredited bank, is required to open a single savings or current account with an SSS-accredited bank, or to use his/her existing one with an SSS-accredited bank, to which the benefit payment will be remitted.

51

If the member does not have an existing bank account, the SSS shall issue a Letter of Introduction (LOI) form that must be presented to the SSS-accredited bank chosen by the member for the purposes of opening a single savings account or cash card account.

The member shall then be notified by SSS via e-mail or text of their benefit payment. What are the forms and documents needed in filing for maternity benefit? In filing for Maternity Notification: If filed over-the-counter:

1. Maternity Notification (MN) Form; and

2. SS card or two (2) valid IDs both with signature and at least one (1) with photo If filed thru the SSS website:

No documentations needed. Member/ER registered in the SSS website can electronically file the Maternity Notification thru the SSS website.

If filed thru the Self-Service Information Terminal (SSIT):

No documentations needed. SE/VM can electronically file the MN thru the SSIT. In filing for Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application (For Employed Members): 1. Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application (MBRA) Form

2. Maternity Notification (MN) duly received by SSS prior to delivery/ miscarriage/procedure or “Maternity Notification Submission Confirmation” (if filed thru the SSS Website or SSIT).

3. Present the original/certified true copy and submit the photocopy of the following, whichever is applicable:

For Normal Delivery

Child’s birth or fetal death certificate duly registered with the LCR

For Caesarean Delivery

Child’s birth or fetal death certificate duly registered with the LCR; and

Any of the following documents issued by the hospital indicating the type of delivery:

Operating Room Record (ORR) Surgical Memorandum Discharge Summary Report

Medical/Clinical Abstract Delivery Report Detailed Invoice showing caesarean delivery charges, for deliveries abroad only

52

For Complete Miscarriage

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies, duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature; and

Any of the following:

Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage Ultrasound report indicating proof of pregnancy Medical Certificate issued by attending physician on the circumstances of pregnancy

For Incomplete Miscarriage

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature; and

Any of the following:

Certified true copy of hospital/medical record/s Dilation & Curettage (D & C) report Histopathological report Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage

Ultrasound report indicating proof of pregnancy

For Ectopic Pregnancy

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature; and

Any of the following: Certified true copy of hospital/medical record/s Certified true copy of ORR Histopathological report

Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage

For Hydatidiform Mole (all of the following):

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature.

D & C report

Histopathological report

Note:

The Medical Specialist may require other documents necessary for the evaluation of the claim (for miscarriage/ectopic/H-Mole cases)

For deliveries/miscarriages that happened abroad, documents issued by foreign country should be with English translation and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate Office or duly notarized by notary public in host country.

53

4. Member or Filer’s SS card or other valid ID cards/documents listed below:

A. Primary ID Cards/Documents SS card

UMID card Passport PRC card Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book)

B. Secondary ID Cards/Documents

Alien Certificate of Registration ATM card (with cardholder’s name) Bank Account Passbook

Company ID card Certificate of Confirmation issued by National Commission on Indigenous People Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Documents from MARINA Certificate of Naturalization

Credit card Court Order granting petition for change of name or date of birth Driver’s License Firearm License card issued by PNP Fishworker’s License card issued by BFAR

GSIS card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership Health or Medical card ID card issued by LGUs (e.g. Barangay/Municipality/City) ID card issued by professional association recognized by PRC

Life Insurance Policy of member Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate NBI Clearance OWWA card Pag-IBIG Transaction Card/Member’s Data Form

PhilHealth ID card/Member’s Data Record Police Clearance Postal ID card School ID card

Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA Senior Citizen card Student Permit issued by LTO TIN card

Transcript of Records Voter’s Identification card or Voter’s Affidavit / Certificate of Registration

1. If filed by ER (Business/Household)

Present the original of any one (1) of the ER’s primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo (as listed above).

54

2. If filed by Company Representative

Present the ACR Card, or if without ACR Card (not available at the time of filing) present the following:

Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued by ER’s authorized signatory reflected in the Employer Specimen Signature Card (SS Form L-501); and

Original company ID of company representative.

3. If filed by ER Representative

LOA issued by ER’s authorized signatory reflected in the SS Form L-501

Original company ID of employer representative. In filing Maternity Benefit Application (For SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment)

1. Maternity Benefit Application (MBA) Form

2. Maternity Notification (MN) duly “Received” by SSS prior to delivery/miscarriage/ procedure or “Maternity Notification Submission Confirmation” (if MN is filed thru the SSS Website or SSIT)

3. If filed by Member, present original of any one (1) of the primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo (as listed in Page 53).

4. If filed by Member’s Representative, present the following:

Original of any one (1) of the Authorized Representative’s primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one with photo (as listed in Page 53); and

Original of any one (1) of the Member’s primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo (as listed in Page 53).

5. Present the original/certified true copy and submit the photocopy of the following, whichever is applicable: For Normal Delivery

Child’s birth or fetal death certificate duly registered with LCR

For Caesarean Delivery

Child’s birth or fetal death certificate duly registered with the LCR; and

Any of the following documents issued by the hospital indicating the type of delivery: Operating Room Record (ORR) Surgical Memorandum

Discharge Summary Report Medical/Clinical Abstract Delivery Report Detailed Invoice showing caesarean delivery charges, for deliveries abroad only

55

For Complete Miscarriage

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies, duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature; and

Any of the following: Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage Ultrasound report indicating proof of pregnancy Medical Certificate issued by attending physician on the circumstances of pregnancy

For Incomplete Miscarriage

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies, duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature; and

Any of the following:

Certified true copy of hospital/medical record/s D & C report Histopathological report Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage

Ultrasound report indicating proof of pregnancy For Ectopic Pregnancy

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies duly, certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature; and

Any of the following: Certified true copy of hospital/medical record/s Certified true copy of ORR Histopathological report

Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage For Hydatidiform Mole (all of the following):

Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancy/ies, duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License number with printed name and signature

D & C report Histopathological report

Note:

The Medical Specialist may require other documents necessary for the evaluation of the claim (for miscarriage/ectopic/H-Mole cases)

For deliveries/miscarriages that happened abroad, documents issued by foreign country should be with English translation and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate Office or duly notarized by notary public in host country.

6. Present the original/certified true copy and submit the photocopy of the following additional

documents, whichever is applicable:

56

For SE and VM (previously employed)

If delivery/miscarriage/procedure is within employment period or within six (6) months from date of separation

Certificate of separation from employment indicating effective date of separation and that no advance payment was granted (signed by ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in SS Form L-501)

For Member Separated from Employment

If delivery/miscarriage/procedure is within employment period

Certificate of separation from employment indicating effective date of separation and that no advance payment was granted (signed by ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in SS Form L-501)

If delivery/miscarriage/procedure is after date of separation

Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation (signed by ER’s authorized signatory reflected in SS Form L-501)

Certificate of separation is not required for SE/VM (previously employed) or member separated from employment under any of the following conditions in which supporting document/s shall be required to be submitted as enumerated below:

If company is on strike

- Notice of strike duly acknowledged by the DOLE; and

- Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If company has been dissolved or has ceased operation

- Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If there is a case pending before a court regarding separation of member

- Certification from DOLE; and

- Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If separated from employment due to AWOL or with strained relations with the ER

- Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

7. Filer’s SS card or other valid ID cards/documents (as listed in Page 53). Where can the member file her maternity benefit application? MBRA (for Employed) and MBA (for SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment) can be filed in any SSS branch that is most convenient to the ER or member.

57

DDIISSAABBIILLIITTYY

What is new with the Disability Benefit? Still adopting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of disability as any “restriction or lack (resulting from impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being,” the SSS redesigned the granting of disability benefit to its members. The aim is to improve the delivery of services without compromising the need to ensure that the appropriate disability benefit is paid to deserving members. What are the salient features of the redesigned disability program? 1. Use of the new Manual on Medical Benefits (Disability, Sickness and Maternity), which is a

compilation of the three (3) medical benefits granted by SSS to its members. It adopts the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problem codes (ICD-10) and includes the most recent medical management of illnesses/injuries and their corresponding ratings. It has been validated internationally and locally by the different Medical societies.

2. The evaluation guidelines of illnesses/injuries also consider the current physical state of the member, thus, allowing several claims to be evaluated first based on supporting documents.

Who is qualified for disability benefit under the new program? A member who suffers partial or total permanent disability, with at least one (1) monthly contribution paid to the SSS prior to the semester of contingency, is qualified.

What are some of the partial permanent disabilities? A complete and permanent loss or use of any of the following body parts:

one thumb one big toe one index finger one hand one middle finger one arm one ring finger one foot one little finger one leg hearing of one ear one ear hearing of both ears both ears sight of one eye What are some of the total permanent disabilities?

The following fall under total permanent disability:

1. complete loss of sight of both eyes;

2. loss of two limbs at or above the ankles or wrists;

3. permanent complete paralysis of two limbs:

58

4. brain injury resulting to incurable imbecility or insanity; and

5. such cases as determined and approved by the SSS.

What are the types of disability benefits? 1. Monthly pension – a cash benefit paid to a disabled member who has paid at least 36

monthly contributions to the SSS prior to the semester of disability. 2. Lump sum amount – granted to those who have not met the required 36 monthly

contributions. If the approved disability period is payable for less than twelve (12) months, it is also given in lump sum.

How much is the monthly pension? The amount of monthly pension will be based on the member’s number of paid contributions and the years of membership prior to the semester of contingency. The minimum monthly pension is P1,000 for members with less than ten (10) credited years of service (CYS); P1,200 with at least ten (10) CYS and P2,400 with at least twenty (20) CYS. Is the monthly pension for life? The member who suffers from permanent total disability shall receive monthly pension for life. However, the pension shall be suspended if the member recovers from the permanent total disability, or resumes employment, or fails to report for the annual physical examination upon notice by SSS. If the pensioner is unable to report for medical examination due to the disability, then domiciliary service by an SSS physician may be requested at any branch office. The member who suffers from permanent partial disability shall receive a monthly pension based on the equivalent number of months of the degree of disability. If the member’s condition due to same illness/injury deteriorates, resulting in progression of his/her disabling manifestations, he/she is entitled to claim additional disability benefit. This is calculated based on the remaining percentage of disability after deducting from the percentage of disability in the current claim, the percentage of disability granted in the previous claim.

How is the monthly pension paid?

The monthly pension is paid thru the bank account that the member chose under the “SSS Pensioner’s Remittance thru Bank” Program. This became mandatory effective September 1, 1993. A member must open a single savings account (or use an existing one, if any) and submit to SSS a photocopy of any of the following: a) the savings account passbook; b) the ATM card bearing the member’s name and account number; c) a validated initial deposit slip; or d) Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form, upon filing of benefit application. The original passbook/ATM card must be presented for authentication purposes.

59

For members without an existing single savings account, the SSS shall issue an LOI form to be presented to his/her chosen SSS-accredited bank for the purpose of opening a single savings account.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice-voucher to the member with the information when to withdraw the benefit from the bank.

How much is the lump sum amount? There are two (2) basic formulas for calculating the lump sum amount.

For permanent total disability, the lump sum benefit is equivalent to the monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions paid to the SSS, or twelve (12) times the monthly pension. Whichever result is higher of the two will be the member’s lump sum benefit. For permanent partial disability, the lump sum is equivalent to the monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions, multiplied by the percentage of disability in relation to the whole body; or the monthly pension twelve (12) times the percentage of disability, whichever is higher. For example, the Member’s degree of disability is determined to be twenty percent (20%) and the number of contributions paid by the Member is equivalent to 24 months only:

a. P1,000 (monthly pension) x 24 (monthly contributions) x 20% (percentage of disability) = P4,800; or

b. P1,000 (monthly pension) x 12 x 20% (percentage of disability) = P2,400

The lump sum benefit to be given to the Member would be P4,800, which is the higher amount based on the two (2) computations. Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the member informing him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank.

How is the lump sum amount paid? Effective May 2016, the member may opt to receive the lump sum benefits for SS and EC Disability, SS Death and Retirement directly through his/her bank account, instead of receiving the check through the mail. The Payment thru-the-Bank Program shall become mandatory upon implementation of the Benefits Workflow System.

The member will be asked to open a single savings account (or use an existing one, if any) and submit to SSS a photocopy of any of the following: a) the savings account passbook; b) the ATM card bearing the member’s name and account number; c) a validated initial deposit slip; d) bank statement or certification; or e) Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form, upon filing of benefit application. The original passbook/ATM card must be presented for authentication purposes.

60

For members without an existing single savings account, the SSS shall issue an LOI form to be presented to his/her chosen SSS-accredited bank for the purpose of opening a single savings account.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the member informing

him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank.

Aside from disability benefit, what else can a disability pensioner receive? In addition to the monthly pension, a supplemental allowance of P500 is paid to the total or partial disability pensioner to provide additional financial assistance to meet the extra needs arising from his disability. A total disability pensioner is also entitled to a 13th month pension payable every December. For a partial disability pensioner, 13th month pension shall be paid provided that the pension duration is at least twelve (12) months. Total disability pensioners and their legal dependents prior to the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 are entitled to the hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth. A copy of Death-Disability-Retirement (DDR) print-out indicating the type of claim is disability in nature and the effectivity date of pension or a Copy of Disability Pensioner Certification, must be submitted.

Total disability pensioners upon the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 and thereafter, are no longer covered except when they have accumulated 120 Medicare monthly contributions and have reached age 60. They need to register with PhilHealth for the issuance of their PhilHealth ID card for Non-Paying Members. Those who wish to avail of PhilHealth benefits may enroll in the Individually-Paying Program (for SE/VM) or the Sponsored Program of PhilHealth.

Are the children of a disabled member entitled to the dependent’s pension? The dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate children, conceived on or before the date of contingency of a total disability pensioner will each receive a dependent’s pension equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member’s monthly pension, or P250, whichever is higher. Only five (5) minor children, beginning from the youngest, are entitled to the dependent’s pension. No substitution is allowed. Where there are legitimate and illegitimate minor children, the legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted ones will be preferred. Dependents of a partially disabled pensioner are not entitled to the dependent’s pension.

For how long will the dependent child receive the pension? The dependent’s pension ends when the child reaches 21 years of age, gets married, gets employed, or dies. However, the dependent’s pension may be granted for life to children who are over 21 years old, provided that they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority.

61

What will happen to the monthly pension in case the pensioner gets re-employed, resumes self-employment, recovers from permanent total disability, or fails to appear for examination upon notice by SSS?

The monthly pension of the member and the dependent’s pension will be suspended upon the re-employment or resumption of self-employment or the recovery of the disabled member from permanent total disability or failure to present himself/herself for examination at least once a year upon notice by SSS. What will happen to the monthly pension of a disability pensioner in case of his/her death? Upon the death of a permanent total disability pensioner, the primary beneficiaries as of the date of disability, shall be entitled to 100 percent of the monthly pension, and the dependents to the dependent’s pension, excluding the supplemental allowance. If the totally disabled pensioner has no primary beneficiaries and dies within 60 months from the start of the monthly pension, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to the total monthly pensions corresponding to the balance of the five-year guaranteed period, excluding the supplemental allowance. In the case of a partial disability pensioner, his monthly pension is limited only to a certain number of months according to the degree of his disability, or will stop when he retires or dies.

What are the forms and documents needed in filing for the disability benefit? Basic Documents 1. Disability Claim Application (DisCA) Form 2. Member’s/Claimant’s Photo and Signature Form (for initial claims only) 3. SSS Medical Certificate Form, accomplished by attending physician within six (6) months

from date of filing 4. Supporting medical records (certified true copy) 5. Member or Filer’s SS card or other valid ID cards/documents as listed below:

A. Any one (1) of the following valid Primary IDs SS card

UMID card Passport PRC card Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book)

B. Or in the absence of the above valid primary IDs, any two (2) of the following valid

Secondary IDs (original) both with signature and at least one (1) with photo: Driver’s License Postal ID card

62

Company ID card School ID card TIN card

PhilHealth ID card OWWA card Senior Citizen card Voter’s Identification card or Voter’s Affidavit / Certificate of Registration

Credit card (with name and signature) Firearm License card issued by PNP

Fish Worker’s License Card issued by BFAR GSIS card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership

Health or Medical card ID card issued by LGUs (e.g. Barangay/Municipality/City) ID card issued by professional association recognized by PRC

C. Or in the absence of a valid primary ID, any one (1) of the above valid secondary IDs

(original) with signature and photo, and at least one (1) of the following Secondary Documents: Alien Certificate of Registration

Certificate issued by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Document from MARINA

Certificate issued by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Certificate of Naturalization from BI Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate NBI Clearance

Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form Police Clearance Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA Student Permit issued by LTO

Other Required Documents

ILLNESS WHEN TO FILE DOCUMENTS NEEDED

Fracture Four (4) months from injury/operation

Certified true copy of any of the following: Record of consultation, or

Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary, or Record of Operation (if operated), or X-ray plate of affected part/s

Amputation Certified true copy of: Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary and/or

Record of Operation (if operated)

Coronary Artery Disease/ Heart Attack

Certified true copy of any of the following: Record of Consultation, or Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary, or Record of Operation (if operated), and Recent ECG tracing with result, or

2D Echo result (if any)

63

ILLNESS WHEN TO FILE DOCUMENTS NEEDED

Cerebrovascular Attack (Stroke)

Four (4) months after onset

Certified true copy of any of the following: Record of Consultation, or

Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary, or Record of Operation (if operated), or Recent CT Scan/MRI Result

PTB, Minimal Two (2) years after onset

Recent and old Chest X-ray with official result taken at least two (2) years prior

PTB, Moderate Six (6) months after onset

Recent and old Chest X-ray with official result taken at least six (6) months prior

PTB, Far Advanced Recent Chest X-ray with official result

Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)

Pulmonary Function Test result taken within the last six (6) months, and/or

Recent Chest X-ray plate with result (if any)

Mental Illness Two (2) years after onset

Recent and complete Psychiatric Evaluation Report, and

Certified true copy of Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary (if confined)

Diabetes Mellitus Two (2) years after onset

Recent and serial FBS results taken during the last two (2) years, and

Recent ECG tracing with result (if any)

Removal of Organ Certified true copy of: Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary, or

Record of Operation, and Histopath result

Malignancy (Cancer) Certified true copy of:

Hospital Abstract/Discharge Summary, or Record of Operation (if operated), and Histopath result, or CT Scan/MRI Result (if any)

Kidney Diseases Certified true copy of: Hospital Abstract (if confined), and/or Laboratory results, or Certificate of dialysis treatment (if any)

Hearing Loss Certified true copy of Audiogram result taken within the last six (6) months

Cataract Operation Four (4) months after operation

Certified true copy of: Record of Operation, and Recent visual acuity issued by ophthalmologist

Note: 1. A member who is unable to file the disability claim application personally due to the

following conditions should submit the required documents either through his/her representative or through mail to the nearest SSS branch:

Member is either wheelchair-borne, in respiratory distress, with IV fluid or other debilitating conditions; or

64

Member is confined in an institution such as hospital, correctional institution, penitentiary, rehabilitation center; or

Member is residing abroad. 2. An SSS Medical Specialist shall decide if additional medical records or documents will be

required. Where can a member file the disability benefit application? Application for disability benefit can be filed at any SSS branch. In cases where the SSS Medical Specialist is not available due to unforeseen events, the Senior Clerk/Junior Nurse will receive and screen the data, for further verification by the Medical Specialist when he/she becomes available.

65

RREETTIIRREEMMEENNTT D

What is the Retirement Benefit? The retirement benefit is a cash benefit paid either in monthly pension or as lump sum to a member who can no longer work due to old age.

What are the types of retirement benefits? 1. Monthly pension – a lifetime cash benefit paid to a retiree on a regular monthly basis. 2. Lump sum amount – one-time payment granted to a retiree. The amount is equal to the

total contributions paid by the member and/or by his/her ERs, including interest earned.

Who may qualify for a retirement pension? 1. Member must have paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of

retirement and is any of the following, whichever is applicable:

a) at least 60 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE/ OFW/Household Helper (optional retirement);

b) at least 65 years old whether still employed/SE, working as OFW/Household Helper or not (technical retirement);

c) at least 55 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE, if an “underground mineworker” (optional retirement);

d) at least 60 years old whether still employed/SE or not, if an “underground mineworker” (technical retirement); or

e) a total disability pensioner who has recovered from disability and is at least 60 years old (or at least 55 years old, if an underground mineworker).

2. A former retiree-pensioner whose monthly pension was suspended due to re-

employment/self-employment and is now separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE.

3. A member who is 60 years old and above, but not yet 65, with 120 contributions or more

may continue paying as VM up to 65 years old to avail of the higher amount of benefit. What are the other terms and conditions for retirement of Underground Mineworkers?

An Underground Mineworker is any person employed to extract mineral deposits

underground or whose workplace is beneath the ground performing and coordinating activities for the purpose of searching for and extracting mineral deposits, which includes the muckers,

66

miners, bull-gang workers, etc. and any other person working underground regardless of positions such as geologist, security guards, mechanics or sampler.

An Underground Mineworker must have been employed as such for at least five (5) years (either continuous or accumulated) prior to the semester of retirement as certified by his/her ER/s, regardless if employment as underground mineworker is his/her last or not. The actual date of retirement should not be earlier than March 13, 1998 and the ER/s must be duly registered with the Bureau of Mines as a mining company.

Who may qualify for a lump sum retirement amount?

Member is at least 60 years old (or 55 years old, if an underground mineworker) for optional retirement, or 65 years old (or 60 years old, if an underground mineworker) for technical retirement, and has paid less than 120 monthly contributions

A member filing for retirement benefit and has paid less than 120 monthly contributions shall be given the option to continue paying the contributions as a VM to complete the 120 months to avail the full benefits thru monthly pension. How is the monthly pension computed?

The monthly pension shall be the highest of:

a) 300 + (20% x AMSC*) + (2% x AMSC) x (CYS** – 10); or

b) 40% x AMSC; or

c) The minimum pension of P1,200, if with at least 10 CYS; or P2,400, if with at least 20 CYS, whichever is applicable.

* AMSC (Average Monthly Salary Credit) ** CYS (Credited Years of Service)

The monthly pension of a member who retires after age 60 and who has contributed the

required 120 monthly contributions shall be the higher of the following:

a) monthly pension computed at the earliest time the member could have retired had he/she been separated from employment or ceased to be SE, plus all adjustments thereto; or

b) monthly pension computed at the time when the member actually retires. What is the 18-months advance pension?

A retiree has the option to receive the first eighteen (18) months pension in lump sum, discounted at a preferential rate of interest to be determined by the SSS. This option can be exercised only upon filing of the first retirement claim, and only advance payments shall be discounted on the date of payment. The Dependent’s Pension and 13th Month Pension are excluded from the advanced 18 months pension. Should there be an increase in the monthly pension within the 18-month period, the same shall also be subjected to interest.

The retiree will receive the regular pension on the 19th month and every month

thereafter.

67

What are the possible deductions in the retirement benefit?

All unpaid short-term member loans of members claiming for retirement benefit, whether or not the term of payment has expired as of contingency date, shall be deducted in full from the proceeds of the benefit payments. The date of contingency shall be the cut-off date for charging interest and penalty. Also to be deducted are overlapping sickness and partial disability benefits, if any. If there is overpaid pension due to dependent’s death, employment or marriage, these shall also be deducted from the monthly pension. How can a member know when is the optimum time to file for retirement so that he/she gets the most of the benefit?

A member shall be advised of the amount of the monthly pension benefit that he/she will receive upon filing of the retirement application and the amount that he/she will stand to receive if he/she decides to continue paying contributions as a VM.

A member filing for optional retirement (60 years old) and who has paid at least 120

monthly contributions shall be given the option to continue paying voluntary contributions up to 65 years old to avail of higher retirement benefit upon reaching 65.

Meanwhile, a member who is already 65 years old or older shall be given the option to

pay voluntary contributions ONLY IF he/she has not yet attained the required 120 monthly contributions to be eligible for monthly pension. However, payment of contributions shall be allowed only up to 120 months.

What happens when the retiree pensioner resumes employment? The monthly pension shall be suspended upon the re-employment or resumption of self-employment of a retired member who is less than 65 years of old. The member shall again be subjected to compulsory coverage. At 65 years old, whether employed or not, he/she can file a claim again for retirement benefit. How much will be the monthly pension of a member who filed for optional retirement at age 60, becomes re-employed, and then re-applies for technical retirement at age 65? A pensioner who retires more than once shall be entitled to the higher of:

1. the monthly pension computed for the first retirement claim; or

2. the re-computed monthly pension for the new claim. How is the monthly pension paid? The monthly pension is paid thru the designated bank account opened by the member under the “SSS Pensioner’s Remittance thru Bank” Program. This became mandatory effective September 1, 1993.

68

A member must open a single savings account (or use an existing one, if any) and submit to the SSS the savings account number and a photocopy of the passbook upon filing of application, or he/she may accomplish the Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form. The original passbook must be presented for authentication purposes. For ATM accounts, the name of the member must be embossed and the savings account number must be indicated in the ATM card; otherwise, a copy of the deposit slip must be submitted. For members without an existing single savings account, the SSS will issue an LOI form to be presented to his/her chosen SSS-accredited bank for the purpose of opening a single savings account.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the member informing him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank. How is the lump sum amount paid? Effective May 2016, the member may opt to receive the lump sum benefits for SS and EC Disability, SS Death and Retirement directly through his/her bank account, instead of receiving the check through the mail. The Payment thru-the-Bank Program shall become mandatory upon implementation of the Benefits Workflow System.

The member will be asked to open a single savings account (or use an existing one, if any) and submit to SSS a photocopy of any of the following: a) the savings account passbook; b) the ATM card bearing the member’s name and account number; c) a validated initial deposit slip; d) bank statement or certification; or e) Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form, upon filing of benefit application. The original passbook/ATM card must be presented for authentication purposes.

For members without an existing single savings account, the SSS shall issue an LOI form

to be presented to his/her chosen SSS-accredited bank for the purpose of opening a single savings account.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice-voucher to the member informing

him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank. Can a retiree who was granted a lump sum benefit resume paying contributions to qualify for pension benefit?

A retiree who wishes to convert the lump sum benefit paid to him/her to lifetime pension shall be allowed to return the SSS check within six (6) months from the date of settlement. Upon payment of the lacking contributions, the retiree shall be qualified to avail pension benefits under RA 1161, as amended by RA 8282 (SS Law), or under RA 7699 (Portability Law), for SSS members only.

If the SSS check has been encashed, a one percent (1%) interest per month shall be charged effective from the date of encashment up to the time of application for pension. The check amount plus the interest shall be deducted from the proceeds of the pension benefit.

69

Aside from the retirement benefit, what else can a retiree receive? The retiree is entitled to a 13th Month Pension payable every December.

Moreover, retiree pensioners prior to the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 are automatically considered members of PhilHealth, and they and their legal dependents are entitled to its hospitalization benefits. On the other hand, retirees effective March 4, 1995 up to the present will be entitled to hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth only if they have contributed 120 monthly Medicare contributions. The counting of 120 monthly contributions shall start in 1972, when the Medical Care Act of 1969 started implementation.

A copy of DDR print-out indicating the type of claim is retirement in nature and the effectivity date of pension or in its absence, a Copy of Retiree-Pensioner Certification issued by SSS shall be required. They need to register with PhilHealth for the issuance of a PhilHealth ID card for Non-Paying Members. Who are considered dependents of a retiree-member and what benefits are they entitled to?

Dependents of a retiree-member are entitled to Dependent’s Pension, which is equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member’s monthly pension or P250, whichever is higher. This is paid for each dependent child conceived/legally adopted on or before the date of retirement of the member, but not exceeding five (5) in number beginning with the youngest and without substitution. Those considered dependents are as follows:

1. Legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate child who is

unmarried;

not gainfully employed; and

has not reached 21 years of age, or if over 21 years old, he/she is congenitally incapacitated or while still a minor was permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally.

2. A child who has entered into a common-law relationship and has not attained the age of

eighteen (18). However, upon reaching the age of 18, the child shall stop receiving dependent’s pension.

In cases where there are five (5) or more dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally

adopted and illegitimate children, the dependent legitimate, legitimated, and legally adopted children shall be preferred. Where there are less than five (5) legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted children, the illegitimate children shall be considered to complete the maximum five (5) dependents. For how long will the dependent child receive the pension? Payment of the dependents’ pension shall stop if the dependent:

dies;

reaches 21 years old, unless congenitally incapacitated, or while still a minor was permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally;

70

is gainfully employed;

marries;

enters into a common-law relationship upon attaining at least 18 years of age; or

attains the age of 18 while having a common-law relationship.

“Gainfully employed” refers to one who is employed/self-employed where he/she renders regular work and receives compensation or derives income for at least six (6) continuous months in any given year, as shown in the member’s contributions records/Annual Confirmation of Pensioner (ACOP), or based on findings.

Suspended dependent’s pension of gainfully employed dependent may be resumed, upon submission of proof that he/she was separated from employment or ceased to be an SE and provided that he/she is unmarried and has not reached 21 years of age, or if over 21 years of age, he/she is congenitally incapacitated or while still a minor was permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally. What will happen to the monthly pension of a retiree in case of death? Upon the death of a retiree pensioner, the primary beneficiaries shall be entitled to 100 percent of the monthly pension and the dependents to the dependent’s pension. If the retiree pensioner dies within 60 months from the start of the monthly pension and has no primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to the total monthly pensions corresponding to the balance of the five-year guaranteed period, excluding the dependent’s pension. What is the prescriptive period in filing for claim for retirement benefit?

There is no prescriptive period for the filing of initial retirement benefit. However, all claims with the SSS and all petitions with the SSC assailing said settled claims, should be filed within ten (10) years from denial/settlement.

The reckoning point of the 10-year prescriptive shall be as follows:

1. For claims settled prior to March 1, 2006, the 10-year prescriptive period shall start on March 1, 2006.

2. For claims settled on or after March 1, 2006, the 10-year prescriptive period shall start on the date of the initial settlement.

The 10-year prescriptive period shall not apply to the following cases:

1. Claims for adjustment for reasons not attributable to the member/claimant, such as:

Unposted contributions and additional CYS;

Payment for additional dependent/s if it was established that the dependent/s was/were inadvertently excluded by SSS in the payment of benefit or date of birth was erroneously encoded;

Change in the date of contingency if the correct date of contingency was not considered by SSS in the computation of retirement benefit; or

Other analogous cases.

71

2. Claims for re-adjudication due to:

Change of guardian of member/dependent/s;

Emancipation or death of dependents;

Resumption of monthly pension that was suspended/cancelled due to Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP); or

Other analogous cases.

Can a member with a settled retirement benefit still correct his/her date of birth to re-adjudicate the benefit?

The date of birth appearing in the member’s SSS record shall be presumed correct and no further documentation shall be required to establish the same in the payment of retirement benefit unless the member presents proof to the contrary.

Correction of date of birth shall be governed by the following guidelines:

1. If the correct date of birth is earlier than the date of birth used in the adjudication of retirement benefit, correction of date of birth shall be based on PSA/NSO-issued birth certificate, except for PSA/NSO birth certificate registered after the 55th birthday of the member.

However, if member cannot present the PSA/NSO-issued birth certificate, corrections

may be allowed only upon a final judgment from court or the SSC establishing the correct date of birth. Upon correction of the date of birth, the member’s retirement pension shall be adjusted accordingly, subject to the 10-year prescriptive period policy on adjustment/re-adjudication.

The request for correction of date of birth shall be exercised only once. 2. If the SSS discovers that the correct date of birth is later than what has been used in the

adjudication of benefit resulting in the over payment of retirement benefit, the SSS shall effect the correction, make necessary adjustment on the benefits, and collect the overpayment.

What are other policies regarding the retirement benefit? 1. Retirement of spouses employed by their own business It is presumed that the single/sole proprietorship established during the marriage is either conjugal or absolute community even if it is registered in the name of only one (1) spouse. With the said business still operational, the spouse reported for coverage can only retire at the age of 65 years old, unless the same business is retired/terminated, whichever comes first. 2. For retiree with invalid coverage

A retiree who paid voluntary contributions but was not previously or has no single contribution paid as covered EE or SE shall be allowed to register upon determination of his/her coverability as SE, per declaration made in the “Affidavit of Declaration of Source of Income” for

72

purposes of adjudication of retirement or if records could show that benefit payments have been previously granted. 3. Entitlement to retirement benefit of a member who was previously declared

presumptively dead but consequently reappeared.

A retiree-member who was declared presumptively dead by final judgement from the Court/SSC or pursuant to SSC Resolution No. 695-s.81 and was granted death benefit is still entitled to retirement benefit if he/she reappeared. However, the death benefit paid to his/her beneficiaries shall be deducted from the proceeds of the retirement benefit.

A Court/SSC declaration of re-appearance is no longer needed since the death benefit

was paid on the presumption that subject member was already dead, but is now debunked by his/her reappearance. However, the member shall be required to submit an Affidavit of Re-appearance to the SSS. 4. Determination of ER Liability

A. The ER is declared liable for damages if he/she:

fails to report the member for coverage prior to date of contingency;

misrepresents the true date of employment of the EE;

remits contributions lesser than those required under the law; or

fails to remit any contributions due prior to the date of contingency resulting in a reduction of benefits.

However, if the contingency occurs within thirty (30) days from the date of employment, the ER shall be relieved of his liability for damages.

B. Retirement benefit is paid to member if no reply/payment is received from the ER/s concerned within thirty (30) days from the date of service of demand letter.

C. Any person or entity engaging the services of an independent contractor shall be subsidiarily liable with such contractor for any civil liability incurred by the latter under the SS Law. The liability herein provided is without prejudice to the contractor’s criminal liability if warranted.

D. Computation of ER Liability

1. For non-reporting, the ER shall pay the SSS damages equivalent to the following:

If lump sum benefit - Amount of benefit to which EE would have been entitled.

If pension - Accumulated pension due from the date of contingency up to the date of settlement of claim or to the five (5) years’ pension, whichever is higher, including dependents’ and 13th month pension.

2. For misrepresentation of the true date of employment of his/her EEs, or remittance

to the SSS contributions that are less than those required under the SSS Law, as amended, or failure to remit any contribution due prior to the date of contingency, the ER shall pay to the SSS the following: If lump sum benefit - Difference between the amount of benefit to which the EE is entitled.

73

If pension - Difference on the accumulated pension due from the date of contingency up to the date of settlement of the claim or to the five (5) years’ pension, whichever is higher, including dependents’ and 13th month pension.

In addition under Items 1 and 2, the ER shall also be liable for the payment of the corresponding unremitted contributions and penalties thereon apart from penal sanctions, if warranted.

If the member has two (2) or more ERs, each ER’s liability shall be based on the contributions the member has under the liable ER.

What forms and documents are needed in filing for a retirement benefit? Present the original and submit photocopy of valid ID cards/documents for authentication purposes, and submit original/certified true copy of supporting documents. 1. If filed by Member:

A. Valid ID cards/documents – Any of the following Primary ID cards/documents:

1. SSS ID Card 2. UMID Card 3. PRC ID Card 4. Passport 5. Driver’s License 6. Seaman's Book (Seafarer's Identification & Record Book)

Note: All equivalent ID cards/documents with English translation issued by a foreign government shall be accepted.

If the above documents are not available, refer to the following Supplemental List of Documentary Requirements for Retirement Benefit.

B. SSS Forms:

1. SSS Retirement Claim Application (RCA) Form; or

Application for DDR Benefit under the Portability Law, if applicable

2. Member’s Photo and Signature Card C. Single savings account passbook/ATM/UMID card enrolled as ATM/accomplished

debit/cash card enrollment form

Note: If name of member and/or savings account number is not indicated in the ATM card, submit either: - Copy of duly-validated deposit slip; or - Copy of bank statement/certificate If ATM card of married female member is still under her maiden name, submit Marriage Contract/Certificate.

74

If member cannot open a savings account or cannot apply for debit/cash card, submit a written request for exemption from the Pensioner’s Remittance Program stating reason for the request.

2. If filed thru Representative: All of the above documents in Item I. A and B, plus:

A. Valid ID cards/documents of the representative; and

B. Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by the member; or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) specifically stating the authority to file and sign for and in behalf of the member.

Note: LOA/SPA should be valid within six (6) months if issued in the Philippines or one

(1) year if issued abroad.

All equivalent ID cards/documents with English translation issued by a foreign government shall be accepted.

Refer to Supplemental List of Documentary Requirements for Retirement Benefit for the additional supporting documents for special cases.

Supplemental List of Documentary Requirements for Retirement Benefit

Present the original and submit photocopy of valid ID cards/documents for authentication purposes, and submit original/certified true copy of supporting documents. A. Identification Documents

In the absence of Primary ID cards/documents (see list on Page 73), any two (2) of the following Secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature, and at least one (1) with photo:

Postal ID

Company or School ID

OWWA ID

Senior Citizen ID

Firearm License Card issued by PNP

TIN card

ID Card issued by LGUs (e.g., Barangay/Municipality/City)

ID Card issued by professional associations recognized by PRC

Pag-IBIG ID Card/Member's Data Form

PhilHealth ID Card/Member’s Data Record

Voter’s ID or Voter’s Affidavit/Certificate of Registration

GSIS ID Card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership

Credit Card (with name and signature)

Fish Worker’s License Card issued by BFAR

Health or Medical Card

Residency card/Work permit issued by foreign governments

Marriage Contract/Certificate

Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA

Alien Certificate of Registration/Green Card

Certificate of Confirmation from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

75

Certificate issued by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Documents from MARINA

Certificate of Naturalization issued by the Bureau of Immigration

NBI Clearance

Police Clearance

Court Order granting petition for change of name or date of birth

Life Insurance Policy

Student Permit issued by LTO

Note:

- Expired IDs shall be accepted as identification, provided it has signature and photo.

- All equivalent ID cards/documents with English translation issued by a foreign government shall be accepted.

- Married female members may use Primary or Secondary ID cards/documents that are still under maiden name, provided that copy of Marriage Contract/Certificate, or Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General, is presented.

B. Supporting Documents for Special Cases

1. If member is at least 60 years old but below 65 years old

a) For Employed members

Certificate of separation issued by the last ER or by all ERs (if with multiple employers); or

Certificate of employment issued by the last ER stating the period of employment; or

SSS Form – Affidavit of Separation from Employment/Cessation of Self-employment with Undertaking, regardless of status of ER.

b) For SE members

Certificate of non-renewal for all of member’s business permit/license issued by the proper government offices/transfer of ownership (e.g. Business Permit and Licensing Office); or

Certificate of cessation of business issued by the duly elected Barangay Official where the business or place of residence was located; and

SSS Form - Affidavit of Separation from Employment/Cessation of Self-employment with Undertaking

c) For House Helpers

SSS Form - Affidavit of Separation from Employment/Cessation of Self-employment with Undertaking; or

Certificate of separation issued by the last HR; or

Certificate of employment issued by the last HR stating the period of employment.

76

d) For members of Cooperative or registered Association (e. g. TODA, Card Inc., market vendors association, etc.)

SSS Form - Affidavit of Separation from Employment/Cessation of Self-employment with Undertaking; or

Certificate of termination of membership signed by the authorized company representative/s or signatories in the Specimen Signature Card of the Cooperative/Association; or

Certificate of membership signed by the authorized company representative/s or signatories in the Specimen Signature Card of the Cooperative/Association stating the period of membership.

e) For VM, including OFW

Proof of separation from employment/cessation of business/termination of contract/no earnings is not a requirement

Note: For members residing abroad, any valid ID card/document issued by foreign governments indicating foreign citizenship/residency/employment prior to retirement (e.g., certificate of naturalization, foreign passport, driver’s license, residency card, and work permit) shall be accepted in the absence of document/s stated under Part B.1.

2. If member is an Underground Mineworker

Certification from the ER/s that member was an underground mineworker indicating the period of employment and worker's job description; or

Affidavit of two (2) co-employees attesting that member was an underground mineworker indicating the period of employment and worker’s job description.

Additional requirements if underground mineworker is at least 55 years old but below 60 years old: Supporting documents stated under Part B.1 a or b, depending on the last coverage status of the member

3. If member is filing retirement claim pursuant to an existing Bilateral

Social Security Agreement (SSA)

Liaison forms as provided for under the Administrative Agreement of the Bilateral SSA, with the following information: a. Claim application details; and b. Insurance periods under SS Law of other country;

Photocopy of two (2) valid IDs of member, certified by counterpart liaison agencies as provided for under the Bilateral SSA, in lieu of member’s photo and signature card

4. Additional document if member is applying under the Portability Law

Certificate of total contributions issued by the GSIS, including the period of contributions

5. Additional document if member is an SSS employee

Certification issued by the Employee Services Department on the SSS employment history of the concerned employee, subject to the applicable rules and regulations on outside/part-time employment of SSS personnel and RA 8282

77

6. Additional documents if member is incapacitated and under guardianship

Photo and signature card of guardian

Medical certificate issued by his/her attending physician (with license number and address of clinic), within three (3) months from date of filing of claim for guardianship confirmed/certified by the Medical Specialist of SSS Physical Examination Centers (PECs); and

In-Trust For (ITF) savings account; and

Affidavit for Guardianship of Incompetent Pensioner, if guardian is the spouse; or

Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form, if guardian is other than spouse

7. If with dependent child/children and not reported in member’s records

a) Marriage Contract/Certificate of member issued by the LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: Marriage Contract/Certificate is not required if dependent is legally adopted or illegitimate child

If married abroad

Marriage Contract/Certificate with English translation issued by foreign government; or

Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General.

Additional requirements if with previous marriage in the Philippines - Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or annotated Marriage

Contract/Certificate; or

- Certificate of Naturalization prior to marriage abroad and Decree of Divorce after acquiring foreign citizenship, or its equivalent.

If Marriage Certificate is not available

Certification of non-availability from LCR/PSA (formerly, NSO) or issued by foreign government indicating that marriage records of the office/agency concerned is intact but there is no record of marriage for the requesting party; and

Marriage Certificate issued by Parish/Church/ Ministry/Congregation/Sect/other religious organizations/ LGU/other person authorized to administer the marriage

If Marriage Certificate from Parish/Church/ Ministry/ Congregation/Sect/other religious organizations is not available

Certification of non-availability from the Parish/Church/Ministry/Congregation/ Sect/other religious organizations; or

Affidavit/Certificate of solemnizing officer stating the following, together with Authority to Administer marriage, if applicable:

- Date of marriage;

- Place of marriage;

- Reason for non-registration; and

- Authority to administer marriage, if applicable.

- Joint affidavit of two (2) persons who witnessed the marriage; and

78

- Birth certificates of at least two (2) children wherein under both documents the names of parents and the date and place of marriage are indicated (if applicable)

b) Birth Certificate of legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted or illegitimate dependent

children issued by LCR/PSA (formerly, NSO), if born in the Philippines

If dependent child/ren is/are born abroad

Birth Certificate with English translation issued by foreign government; or

Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General

If Birth Certificate is not available

Certification of non-availability from LCR/PSA (formerly, NSO) or issued by foreign government; and

Baptismal/Dedication certificate or its equivalent issued by the Parish/Church/ Ministry/Congregation/Sect/other religious organizations (with date of birth of the child and name of parents)

Note: - Baptismal/Dedication certificate or its equivalent certificate must bear the original

signature of the Parish Priest/Head of the Church/Ministry/Congregation/Sect/ other religious organizations or his authorized signatory. Stamped signature is not acceptable.

- Dedication Certificate or its equivalent certificate issued by the Ministry/ Congregation/Sect/other religious organizations in lieu of baptismal certificate must bear the date of birth of the child and the name of parents.

If Baptismal/Dedication certificate or its equivalent is not available

Certification of non-availability together with the following where the name of member, name of dependent, date of birth of dependent and relationship to member are indicated: - School cards/records of dependent - Educational/insurance plans/Health card record - Employment records of member - PhilHealth/GSIS/Pag-IBIG records - Income Tax Return of member - Member’s record duly received by SSS prior to May 1997

c) Additional documents

For legally adopted child/ren

Decree of Adoption or Certificate of Finality

Note:

- The birth certificate should bear annotation of the adoption - Date of adoption should be prior to date of retirement

For illegitimate child/ren

Any proof of filiation, such as, but not limited to: - Birth Certificate duly signed by the father as informant - Birth Certificate with Affidavit of Acknowledgment duly signed by the father - Will

79

- Statement made before any judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings - Any authentic writing signed by the father (e.g. letter, diary, or other documents

such as school records and other public records)

For dependent child/ren under guardianship

Claim for Dependent’s Pension (SS Form BPN-106) duly accomplished by the guardian (if guardian is the parent/grandparent, other than the member)

Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form (if guardian is other than parents/grandparents)

ITF account (if guardian is other than parent)

Additional document if dependent child/ren under guardianship is/are incapacitated – Medical Certificate issued by the attending physician (with license number and address of clinic), within three (3) months from date of filing of claim for dependent’s pension, confirmed/certified by the Medical Specialist of SSS Physical Examination Centers (PECs).

Note:

- Documents issued in a foreign country should have English translation. Authentication by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General is not required if said documents are duly received and signed by the SSS Foreign Representative, Foreign Office.

- For retirement claims filed abroad, photocopy of supporting document/s with English translation may be presented and submitted in the absence of the original/certified true copy, to be duly received and signed by the SSS Foreign Representative Office.

Can a member file the retirement application online? Members registered in the SSS website may submit their application for Technical Retirement through the website, as long as they meet the following conditions:

Member is at least 65 years old;

Member has no cancelled SS Number/s;

Member has at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of contingency;

Member has no pending case before the SSC;

Member has no outstanding loan balance or any outstanding loan balance shall be for salary/calamity loan or salary loan renewal program (SLERP) only;

Member is qualified for technical retirement per Eligibility Inquiry of the On-line Web Inquiry System (WINS);

Member has no submitted retirement claim per Centralized Claims Clearance System/settled retirement claim per Claims Information;

Member has no dependent child/ren; and

Member is not an underground mineworker.

Application for technical retirement may be filed within six (6) months before the date of retirement, but the payment of benefit shall be done on the actual date of retirement.

80

Retirement claims submitted through the SSS website shall be processed using the DDR Workflow System following the procedures on the Processing of Retirement Claim Application.

Payment of benefit shall be thru the bank using the UMID card or to the SSS-accredited bank designated by the claimant in his online application for technical retirement. Where can a member file the retirement benefit application? Application for retirement benefit can be filed at the SSS branch nearest the member’s residence.

81

DDEEAATTHH What is Death Benefit? The death benefit is a cash benefit paid either in monthly pension or lump sum to the beneficiaries of a deceased member.

What are the types of death benefits? 1. Monthly pension – granted to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had

paid 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death.

2. Lump sum amount – granted to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. In case of secondary beneficiaries, they are paid a lump sum benefit only.

Which beneficiaries of a deceased member are eligible to receive the death benefit? The death benefit goes to the primary beneficiaries of the deceased member. These are the legitimate dependent spouse, until he/she remarries, and the dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the member who are not yet 21 years old or over 21 years old, provided they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority.

In the absence of primary beneficiaries, the dependent parents are considered the secondary beneficiaries. In their absence, any other person designated by the member in his/her SSS records are considered as the beneficiary. If there is no designated beneficiary, the benefit shall be paid to the deceased member’s legal heirs in accordance with the law of succession under the Family Code of the Philippines.

How much is the monthly pension?

The monthly pension depends on the member’s paid contributions, including the CYS and the number of dependent minor children, which should not exceed five (5). The monthly pension is paid for not less than 60 months.

The amount of monthly pension will be the highest of:

1. the sum of P300 plus twenty percent (20%) of the average monthly salary credit (AMSC) plus two percent (2%) of the AMSC for each CYS in excess of ten (10) years; or

2. forty percent (40%) of the AMSC; or

3. P1,000 if the member had less than ten (10) CYS; P1,200 if with at least ten (10) CYS; or P2,400 if with at least twenty (20) CYS.

82

How is the monthly pension paid? The monthly pension is paid thru the beneficiary’s designated bank. The beneficiary is allowed to choose the bank nearest his/her residence thru which he/she wishes to receive the pension benefits under the “SSS Pensioner’s Remittance thru Bank” Program. This became mandatory effective September 1, 1993. The beneficiary must open a single savings account (or use an existing one, if any) and submit to the SSS the savings account number and a photocopy of the passbook upon filing of application, or he/she may accomplish the Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form. The original passbook must be presented for authentication purposes. For ATM accounts, the name of the beneficiary must be embossed and the savings account number must be indicated in the ATM card; otherwise, a copy of the deposit slip must be submitted. For beneficiaries without an existing single savings account, the SSS will issue an LOI form to be presented to his/her chosen SSS-accredited bank for the purpose of opening a single savings account. Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice-voucher to the beneficiary informing him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank. How much is the lump sum benefit? The primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions shall be entitled to lump sum benefit, which shall be the higher of:

1. monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions paid prior to the semester of death; or

2. twelve (12) times the monthly pension. Secondary beneficiaries of the deceased member shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to:

1. 36 times the monthly pension – if the member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death; or

2. monthly pension times the number of monthly contributions paid or twelve (12) times the monthly pension, whichever is higher – if the member has paid less than 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.

How is the lump sum amount paid?

Effective May 2016, the beneficiary may opt to receive the lump sum benefits for SS and EC Disability, SS Death and Retirement directly through his or her bank account, instead of receiving the check through the mail. The Payment thru-the-Bank Program shall become mandatory upon implementation of the Benefits Workflow System.

The beneficiary will be asked to open a single savings account (or use an existing one, if any) and submit to SSS a photocopy of any of the following: a) the savings account passbook; b) the ATM card bearing the beneficiary’s name and account number; c) a validated initial

83

deposit slip; d) bank statement or certification; or e) Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form, upon filing of benefit application. The original passbook/ATM card must be presented for authentication purposes.

For a beneficiary without an existing single savings account, the SSS shall issue an LOI form to be presented to his or her chosen SSS-accredited bank for the purpose of opening a single savings account.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the beneficiary

informing him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank. Is there anything else a deceased member’s beneficiaries can avail of? Yes, the deceased member’s beneficiaries are entitled to a 13th month pension payable every December and the funeral grant, which is paid to whomever shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased member. Survivorship pensioners prior to the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 are also entitled to hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth. They need to register under PhilHealth and must submit a DDR print-out indicating the type of claim is survivorship in nature and the effectivity date of pension, or a copy of Death/Survivorship Certification issued by the SSS indicating the effectivity of the pension shall be submitted to PhilHealth. Survivorship pensioners upon the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 and up to present, are no longer covered. However, those who wish to avail of PhilHealth benefits may enroll in the Individually-Paying Program (SE/VM) or the Sponsored Program of PhilHealth.

If the deceased member has not paid any single contribution, are the beneficiaries still entitled to the death and funeral benefits? The primary or secondary beneficiaries of a deceased member, who had no contribution at all, but was reported for coverage as an employee, shall be entitled to funeral benefit only. Who are considered dependents of a deceased member and what benefits are they entitled to?

Dependents of a deceased member are entitled to Dependent’s Pension, which is equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member’s monthly pension or P250, whichever is higher. This is paid for each dependent child conceived/legally adopted on or before the date of death of the member, but not exceeding five (5) in number beginning with the youngest and without substitution. Those considered dependents are as follows: (1) Legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and illegitimate child who is

unmarried;

not gainfully employed; and

has not reached 21 years of age, or if over 21 years old, he/she is congenitally incapacitated or while still a minor was permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally.

84

(2) A child who has entered into a common-law relationship and has not attained the age of eighteen (18). However, upon reaching the age of eighteen (18), the child shall stop receiving dependent’s pension.

In cases where there are five (5) or more dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate children, the dependent legitimate, legitimated and legally adopted children shall be preferred. Where there are less than five (5) legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted children, the illegitimate children shall be considered to complete the maximum five (5) dependents. For how long will the dependent child receive the pension?

Payment of the dependents’ pension shall stop if the dependent:

dies;

reaches 21 years old, unless congenitally incapacitated; or while still a minor has been permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally;

is gainfully employed;

marries;

enters into a common-law relationship upon attaining at least eighteen (18) years of age; or

attains the age of eighteen (18) while having a common-law relationship.

“Gainfully employed” refers to one who is employed/self-employed where he/she renders regular work and receives compensation or derives income for at least six (6) continuous months in any given year, as shown in the member’s contributions records/ ACOP, or based on findings.

Suspended dependent’s pension of gainfully employed dependent may be resumed, upon submission of proof that indeed, he/she was separated from employment or ceased to be self-employed and provided that he/she is unmarried and has not reached 21 years of age, or if over 21 years of age, he/she is congenitally or while still a minor has been permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally.

What is the prescriptive period in filing for claim for death benefit? There is no prescriptive period for the filing of initial death benefit.

However, filing of requests for re-adjudication or adjustment of settled death benefit claim must be filed within ten (10) years. The reckoning point shall be as follows:

1. For claims settled prior to March 1, 2006, the 10-year prescriptive period shall start on March 1, 2016.

2. For claims settled on or after March 1, 2006, the 10-year prescriptive period shall start on the date of initial settlement of the claim.

What are the forms and documents needed in filing a death benefits claim? Basic Forms/Documents 1. Death Claim Application (DCA) Form

Application for DDR Benefit Under the Portability Law, if applying under Portability Law

2. Claimant’s Photo and Signature form

3. Filer’s Affidavit or Sinumpaang Salaysay (only one Filer’s Affidavit is required at the time of filing)

4. SSS Form CLD-1.3A (Affidavit of Death Benefit) if claimants are primary or secondary beneficiaries (only one CLD-1.3A is required at the time of filing)

5. Certified true copy of death certificate of deceased member, duly registered with the LCR and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar, or issued by the PSA (formerly, NSO), or

Certification of Death of deceased member issued and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar and bearing the official seal

6. Any of the following, whichever is applicable:

SSS Form CLD1.3 (Joint Affidavit of two disinterested persons) preferably relatives of the deceased member, if claimants are designated beneficiaries or legal heirs of deceased member (only one CLD-1.3 is required at the time of filing)

SSS Form CLD-15 (Application for Appointment as Representative Payee) if claimant is the guardian

SSS Form BPN-107 (Guarantor’s Bond Form) if claimant is the guardian

If cause of death is work-connected:

Form BPN-105 (Report of Death) Pre-employment medical records, if cause of death is due to illness Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the employer Mission/Job or travel order duly signed by the employer, when applicable

Photocopy of page in the company logbook/record of accident signed by the ER Police investigation report or employer’s report of injury, death or casualty spot

report, when applicable

Single savings account passbook/ATM card/validated initial deposit slip/accomplished Visa Cash Card enrollment form, if for pension

If the account number is not reflected in the ATM card or if the name of spouse/claimant is not embossed in the ATM card or it is not yet available, a copy of initial deposit slip shall be required

If claimant cannot open a savings account or apply for Visa Cash Card, a written request for exemption from the “SSS Pensioner’s Remittance thru Bank Program” stating valid reason is required

ITF account if claimant is under guardianship

85

Joint Affidavit (preferably by the relatives of deceased member) that the deceased and the common-law-spouse have no legal impediment to marry, if with dependent illegitimate children

Pro-forma affidavit attesting dependency for support (if dependent-parent/s)

Written explanation, if death claim was filed by spouse beyond five (5) years from date of death

ID Cards/Documents

A. Any one (1) of the following valid Primary IDs SS card UMID card Passport PRC card

Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book)

B. Or in the absence of the above valid primary IDs, any two (2) of the following valid Secondary IDs (original) both with signature and at least one (1) with photo: Driver’s License

Postal ID card Company ID card School ID card TIN card

PhilHealth ID card OWWA card Senior Citizen card Voter’s Identification card or Voter’s Affidavit / Certificate of Registration Credit card (with name and signature)

Firearm License card issued by PNP

Fish Worker’s License Card issued by BFAR GSIS card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership Health or Medical card

ID card issued by LGUs (e.g. Barangay/Municipality/City) ID card issued by professional association recognized by PRC

C. Or in the absence of a valid primary ID, any one (1) of the above valid secondary IDs

(original) with signature and photo, and at least one (1) of the following Secondary Documents:

Alien Certificate of Registration

Certificate issued by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Document from MARINA

Certificate issued by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

Certificate of Naturalization from BI Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate NBI Clearance Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form

Police Clearance Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA Student Permit issued by LTO

86

Note: Presentation of the original and submission of photocopies of ID cards/documents shall be required from the filer. Additional Supporting Documents If member died and was buried abroad

Certified true copy of death certificate of deceased member issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if there is an existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)

If member died abroad and was buried in the Philippines

1. Certified true copy of death certificate of deceased member issued by the Vital

Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if with existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)/PSA (formerly NSO) If the death certificate is not written in English language, authorized English translation from the Philippine DFA is required

1.1 If death certificate is not available from LCR and PSA (formerly NSO), certification of

non-availability issued by the same, together with any of the following:

Certification of Death issued by the Parish/Church

Certification of Burial from the cemetery administrator Note: For Muslim claimants, submission of death certificates issued by the LCR shall be required.

1.2 In case of late registration, Certification of Death issued by the Parish or Certification

of Burial from the cemetery administrator and properly accomplished affidavit at the back of the death certificate explaining the reason for the delay

1.3 In lieu of death certificate

1.3.1 For missing persons during emergencies and disasters

Certificate of Missing Person believed to be dead in times of disaster from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC); and

Notarized Undertaking executed by the claimant, in the form prescribed by the SSS, stating that the death benefit shall be returned to SSS should the member re-appear and proven to be alive.

1.3.2 For victims of air mishap whose bodies were not recovered but whose names

appeared in the passenger manifest, any of the following, in addition to the Undertaking:

Passenger’s manifest issued by airline company

Certification from the Airline Company or Inter-Agency Task Force created by the President of the Philippines.

87

1.3.3 For victims of sea mishap whose bodies were not recovered but whose names appeared in the passenger manifest, any of the following, in addition to the Undertaking:

Marine protest issued by the Philippine Coast Guard and passenger’s manifest issued by the shipping company

Marine protest supported by quit claim or fax messages from the manning agency regarding the disappearance and authenticated by employer

Certification from the shipping company or Philippine Coast Guard or Inter-Agency Task Force created by the President of the Philippines

1.3.4 For victims whose bodies were not recovered and whose names do not appear

in the passenger manifest, any three (3) of the following, in addition to the Undertaking:

Certification from ER that the victim has not reported for work from the time of accident up to the present time, if the victim was employed

Certification from the barangay chairman on the member’s disappearance and a joint affidavit of two (2) persons preferably immediate relatives of the deceased member that is a common knowledge within the barangay that the victim died in the accident, if the victim was unemployed

List of passengers, where the name of the victim appears, compiled by the DILG and duly certified by the Chairman of Government’s Inter-Agency Task Force created by the President of the Philippines

Certification from the shipping/airline company stating that it has recognized the fact that the victim was aboard the ship/airplane during the particular trip

Affidavit of at least two (2) persons stating that they saw the deceased actually boarded or on-board the ship/airplane on its last ill-fated voyage

Duplicate copy of tickets filed by the shipping company

Coast guard report

Affidavit of co-passenger who survived the accident

1.3.5 For missing person without credible proof of death, the following are needed, in addition to the Undertaking:

Police investigation report conducted immediately after the disappearance of the member that tends to show that the member is already deceased

Confirmation report from a police authority or other government agency after four (4) or seven (7) years from the date of disappearance of the member to the effect that the member has not yet been found

Court order declaring “death” and “date of death of member”

88

PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES Spouse and Dependent Legitimate/Legitimated, Legally Adopted, and Illegitimate Dependent Child/ren 1. Certified true copy of Marriage Contract/Certificate of deceased member duly registered

with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

1.1 If Marriage Contract/Certificate is not available or marriage record is intact but no record of marriage from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO), appropriate certification issued by the latter, together with Marriage Certification issued by the parish/church, or Birth Certificate of at least two (2) children showing the alleged date of marriage

1.2 Certification signed by Imam for Muslim marriage

1.3 Alien Certificate of Registration showing name of spouse 2. Certified true copy of Birth Certificate of dependent child/children duly registered with

LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

2.1 If Birth Certificate is not available, certified true copy of baptismal certificate duly registered with the Parish/Church together with certification of non-availability of records of birth from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: Baptismal Certificate must always bear the original signature of the priest or his authorized signatory/official. Stamped signature is not acceptable.

2.2 If baptismal certificate is not available (with certification of non-availability from the parish church)

Any two (2) of the following secondary proofs showing the name and date of birth of dependent:

School cards/records of dependent

Educational/Insurance Plan

Employment records of member

PhilHealth/GSIS/Pag-IBIG records

2.3 Legal adoption paper, for legally adopted dependent child/ren

2.4 Any proof of filiation for illegitimate dependent children (for date of death on or after May 24, 1997), as follows:

Certified true copy of Birth Certificate of illegitimate dependent children duly acknowledged by member and registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) (if birth certificate is not available, refer to the alternative documents mentioned under birth/ baptismal certificate)

Will

Statement before a court of record

Any authentic writing (letter, diary, school records)

Duly received membership data record by agencies like PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, GSIS, etc.

3. If spouse is incapacitated and under a guardian

3.1 Medical certificate of spouse issued by the attending physician confirmed by the Medical Specialist, MES, Branch/PE Center

89

3.2 Application for Representative Payee (CLD15) and Guarantor’s Bond Form (BPN-107)

3.3 Single savings account passbook/ATM/accomplished Visa Cash Card enrollment form (ITF the incapacitated spouse), for lump sum benefit

4. If dependent child/ren is/are incapacitated and spouse is the guardian

4.1 Medical certificate of child/ren issued by the attending physician confirmed by the Medical Specialist, MES, Branch/PE Center

5. If dependent child/ren is/are incapacitated and under a guardian other than spouse

5.1 Medical certificate of child/ren issued by the attending physician confirmed by the Medical Specialist, MES, Branch/PE Center

5.2 Application for Representative Payee (CLD15) and Guarantor’s Bond Form (BPN-107)

5.3 Single savings account passbook/ATM/accomplished Visa Cash Card enrollment form (In-trust for the dependents)

5.4 Certified true copy of Death Certificate of spouse of deceased member, if already deceased

6. If dependent child/ren is/are under guardian (other than spouse)

6.1 Application for Representative Payee (CLD15) and Guarantor’s Bond Form (BPN-107)

6.2 Single savings account passbook/ATM/accomplished visa cash card enrollment form (In-trust for the dependents)

6.3 Certified true copy of death certificate of spouse of deceased member, if already deceased

7. If with other spouse per death certificate, any of the following:

7.1 Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from PSA (formerly NSO) of deceased member and spouse per death certificate; or joint affidavit of two (2) persons (preferably nearest relatives of the deceased member) regarding their marital relationship

7.2 Certified true copy of Death Certificate of other spouse, if already deceased

8. If spouse has been separated from the deceased member (not living as husband and wife)

8.1 Joint affidavit of two (2) persons (preferably nearest relatives of the deceased) who have knowledge on the separation, stating the reason thereof and the fact of spouse’s dependency for support upon the deceased member

9. If with illegitimate dependent child/ren and member’s date of death is prior to May 24,

1997 (if cause of death is work-connected)

9.1 Certified true copy of Birth Certificate of dependent illegitimate child/ren duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

9.2 Joint affidavit of two (2) persons (preferably nearest relatives of the deceased member) attesting that the deceased and the common-law-spouse have no legal impediment to marry each other at the time of conception of the dependent child/ren and spouse’s affidavit attesting to the fact of dependency for support

90

SECONDARY BENEFICIARIES (In the absence of primary beneficiaries) Dependent Parents 1. Certified true copy of Birth Certificate of deceased member duly registered with LCR and

signed by the Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO)

1.1 If Birth Certificate is not available, certified true copy of baptismal certificate duly registered with the parish/church together with certification of non-availability of record from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: Baptismal certificate must always bear the original signature of the priest or his authorized signatory/official. Stamped signature is not acceptable.

1.2 If death is prior to May 24, 1997 and claim is for SSS only: Certified true copy of Marriage Contract/Certificate of deceased member’s parents duly registered with LCR and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO)

If Marriage Contract/Certificate is not available or marriage record is intact but no record of marriage from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO), appropriate certification issued by the same, together with Marriage Certification issued by the parish/church, or Birth Certificate of at least two (2) children showing the alleged date of marriage

Certification signed by Imam for Muslim marriage Alien Certificate of Registration showing the name of spouse

2. Proofs of dependency upon the deceased member

2.1 Pro-forma affidavit to attest to the dependence for support of the parents from the deceased member

3. If deceased member was a widow/widower

3.1 Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of spouse of deceased member duly registered with LCR and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar or LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) ; or

Certified true copy of Death Certificate of deceased member’s spouse issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent, if deceased member’s spouse died abroad (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if with existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)/PSA (formerly NSO)

4. If one (1) of the parents is already deceased

4.1 Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of parent duly registered with LCR and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO); or

Certified true copy of Death Certificate of deceased member’s parent issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent, if deceased member’s parent died abroad (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if with existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: If the Death Certificates of the parents/grandparents of deceased member are not available and the age of the deceased member at the time of death is 65 years old and above, the parents/grandparents of the deceased member shall be presumed dead and Death Certificates are no longer necessary.

91

5. If both dependent parents are under a guardian

5.1 Application for Representative Payee (SS Form CLD-15)

5.2 Guarantor’s Bond Form (SS Form BPN-107)

5.3 Medical certificate issued by the attending physician confirmed by the Medical Specialist, MES Branch/PE Center

5.4 ITF account 6. If one of the parents is incapacitated and guardian is the other parent

6.1 Duly notarized SS Form CLD 1.1B

6.2 Medical certificate of incapacitated parent issued by the attending physician confirmed by the Medical Specialist, MES, Branch/PE Center

OTHER BENEFICIARIES (In the absence of primary and secondary beneficiaries) 1. Designated Beneficiaries

1.1 If deceased member is a widow/widower at the time of death

1.1.1 Certified true copy of the Birth Certificate of deceased member, duly registered with LCR and signed by authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar, or issued by the NSO

If Birth Certificate is not available, certified true copy of baptismal certificate, duly registered with the parish/church together with certification of non-availability of record from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) ;

1.1.2 Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of spouse of deceased member duly registered with LCR and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO); or

Certified true copy of Death Certificate of deceased member’s spouse issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent, if member’s spouse died abroad (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if there is an existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)/PSA (formerly NSO) ;

1.1.3 Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of parents of deceased member duly registered with LCR and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO); or

Certified true copy of Death Certificate of deceased member’s parents issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent, if member’s parents died abroad (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if with existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: If the Death Certificates of the parents/grandparents of deceased member are not available and the age of the deceased member at the time of death is 65 years old and above, the parents/grandparents of the deceased member shall be presumed dead and Death Certificates are no longer necessary.

92

1.2 If deceased member is single at the time of death

1.2.1 Certified true copy of the Birth Certificate of deceased member, duly registered with LCR and signed by authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar, or issued by the PSA (formerly NSO)

If Birth Certificate is not available, certified true copy of baptismal certificate duly registered with the parish/church together with certification of non-availability of record from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO);

1.2.2 Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of parents of deceased member duly registered with LCR and signed by authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar or PSA (formerly NSO); or

Certified true copy of Death Certificate of deceased member’s parents issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent, if member’s parents died abroad (certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, if with existing Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of death)/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: If the Death Certificates of the parents/grandparents of deceased member are not available and the age of the deceased member at the time of death is 65 years old and above, the parents/grandparents of the deceased member shall be presumed dead and Death Certificates are no longer necessary.

2. Legal Heirs

2.1 Certified true copy of the Birth Certificate of member and legal heirs (at least two) duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

2.1.1 If Birth Certificate is not available, certified true copy of baptismal certificate, duly registered with the parish/church together with certification of non-availability of record from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

2.2 If deceased member is married, certified true copy of the Death Certificate of spouse and parents and Marriage Contract/Certificate of deceased member duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

2.3 If deceased member is single, certified true copy of the Death Certificate of parents and grandparents of deceased member and Death Certificate of other legal heirs duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

2.4 Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of the designated beneficiaries/other nearest relatives duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

Note: If the Death Certificates of the parents/grandparents of deceased member are not available and the age of the deceased member at the time of death is 65 years old and above, the parents/grandparents of the deceased member shall be presumed dead and Death Certificates are no longer necessary.

Where can the beneficiary/claimant file for the death benefit claim? Applications for the death benefit can be filed at any SSS branch.

93

FFUUNNEERRAALL What is Funeral Grant? The funeral grant is the amount given to whomever pays the burial expenses of the deceased member or pensioner. Starting August 1, 2015, the amount of the funeral grant was increased to a variable amount ranging from a minimum of P20,000 to a maximum of P40,000, depending on the member’s paid contributions and CYS. What are the forms and documents needed in filing a claim for Funeral Grant? Basic Forms/Documents 1. Funeral Claim Application Form

Filer’s Affidavit/Sinumpaang Salaysay

2. SS card or two valid ID cards/documents of claimant, both with signature and at least one with photo

3. Certified true copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased member.

Duly registered with the LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) or issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of host country or its equivalent, if member died abroad. If applicable, certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or PSA (formerly NSO). If not written in English language, with authorized English translation from the Philippine DFA.

4. Original copy of the official receipt from the funeral parlor regarding funeral expenses

5. New residence certificate of the filer Additional Documents 1. If Death Certificate is not available from LCR or PSA (formerly NSO)

Death certification issued by Parish/Church or Burial certification from the Cemetery Administrator, with certification of non-availability from LCR and PSA (formerly NSO)

In case of late registration (affidavit at the back of the Death Certificate should be properly accomplished explaining the reason for the delay), death certification issued by Parish or Burial certification from the Cemetery Administrator

2. For missing persons during emergencies and disasters

Certificate of missing person, believed to be dead in times of disaster, from the NDRRMC; and

A notarized Undertaking executed by the claimant, in the form prescribed by SSS, stating that the funeral grant shall be returned to SSS should the member re-appear and proven to be alive

Note: Emergencies and disasters refer to natural and/or human-generated disasters including terrorism or the use of weapons of mass destruction; e.g. tsunami,

94

flood, landslide, typhoon, earthquake, etc. (per AO No. 2007-0018 issued by the Department of Health).

3. For victims of air or sea mishap

For victims whose bodies were not recovered but whose names appeared in the passenger manifest, any of the following is needed, in addition to the Undertaking cited in Item no. 2 above:

Marine protest issued by the Philippine Coast Guard and passenger’s manifest issued by the shipping company

Passenger’s manifest issued by airline company

Marine protest supported by quit claim or fax messages from the manning agency regarding the disappearance and authenticated by ER

Certification from the shipping/airline company or Philippine Coast Guard, or the Inter-Agency Task Force created by the President of the Philippines

For victims whose bodies were not recovered and whose names did not appear in the passenger manifest, any three (3) of the following are needed, in addition to the Undertaking cited in Item no. 2 above:

Certification from the ER that the victim has not reported for work from the time the accident happened up to the present time, if the victim was employed

Certification from the barangay chairman on the disappearance of the member and a joint affidavit of two (2) persons preferably immediate relatives of the deceased member that it is a common knowledge within the barangay that the victim died in the accident, if the victim was unemployed

Passengers List where the name of the victim appears, as compiled by the Department of Interior and Local Government and duly certified by the Chairman of the Government’s Inter-Agency Task Force created by the President of the Philippines

Certification from the shipping/airline company stating that it has recognized the fact that victim was aboard the ship/airplane during that particular trip

Affidavit of at least two (2) persons stating that they saw the deceased actually board or actually on board the ship/airplane on its last, ill-fated voyage

Duplicate copy of tickets filed by the shipping/airline company, if any

Coast guard report 4. For missing persons without credible proof of death, all of the following are needed, in

addition to the Undertaking cited in Item no. 2 above:

Police investigation report (reflected in the police blotter) conducted immediately after the disappearance of the member that tends to show that the member is already deceased; and

Confirmation report from a police authority or other government agency after four (4) or seven (7) years from the date of disappearance of the member to the effect that the member has not yet been found.

5. If without Official Receipt (OR) from the funeral parlor regarding funeral expenses, any of

the following:

95

Notarized affidavit of funeral expenses if the service of a funeral parlor was not contracted, if claimant is an immediate relative of the family

Provisional receipt or funeral service contract issued by the funeral parlor, if member is not yet buried

Certification from the insurance/memorial life plan company stating that the deceased member/claimant is the plan holder

Affidavit of sale executed by the plan holder or deed of sale together with the certification of availment from memorial plan company allowing the transfer of plan to the deceased member

Duplicate copy of OR and duly notarized affidavit of loss executed by claimant

Certification of loss or non-availability of the duplicate copy of the OR from the funeral parlor and duly notarized affidavit of loss executed by the claimant

Certification by the funeral parlor regarding non-payment together with the contract, if the deceased member was already buried but the funeral services rendered by the funeral parlor was not yet settled.

6. If member’s cause of death is work connected:

Report of Death (SS Form BPN-105) together with any of the following:

Accident report signed by the worker’s immediate supervisor and personnel manager, in case the accident happened within the company premises

Record of consultation or hospital report, if accident happened outside company premises

Police report on the accident, in cases of accident involving third party

Certified true copy of the page of the company logbook or any other document containing the entry for the particular sickness or accident

Certified true copy of the Medical findings of the attending doctor or hospital records, if applicable

7. If funeral claim is filed thru a representative (at the discretion of the Branch Head)

LOA or SPA and representative’s SS card or two valid ID cards, both with signature and at least one (1) with photo

8. If claimant is the funeral parlor

Copy of the service contract showing the name, address and contact number of the person who contracted the funeral service

Authorization For Funeral Benefit Form 9. If claimant is other than the person indicated in the OR

Letter of explanation signed by the person whose name appears in the OR stating that the claimant was the one who actually defrayed the funeral expenses

Note: Supporting documents, such as Birth Certificate and Marriage Contract, including late registered documents, should have the following features (per Office Order No. 107-A dated March 14, 2000):

96

- With registry number

- With signature of the LCR or his/her authorized signatory official. The name and signature of the official authorized to sign the document in the absence of the LCR must always be indicated. Hence, signature with “For” or “By” is not allowed.

- With date received by PSA (formerly NSO) or LCR

- Without erasures, alterations, insertions or superimpositions whatsoever. Any amendment or correction in the document should bear marginal notation of PSA (formerly NSO).

Late registered documents should further contain the following features:

- Duly authenticated by the PSA (formerly NSO)

- The words “Late Registration” stamped on the upper right hand corner of the document

- With accomplished affidavit at the back of the document explaining the reason for the delay

Where can the beneficiary/claimant file for the funeral grant? Applications for the funeral grant can be filed at any SSS branch.

97

EEMMPPLLOOYYEEEESS’’ CCOOMMPPEENNSSAATTIIOONN

The Employees’ Compensation (EC) program assists workers and their dependents in the

event of work-connected sickness or injury and its resulting disability or death. Who are covered under the EC program? All SSS-registered ERs and their EEs are compulsorily covered under the EC program and need not register again under EC. How much is the monthly contribution? Only the ER is required to remit monthly EC contributions on behalf of the EEs. Effective January 1, 2007, the required contribution is P10 for those with MSC of less than P15,000. For those with MSC of P15,000 and above, the required contribution is P30. (Please refer to SSS contribution schedule on Page 38) How long is the ER obliged to pay for the EC contributions of the EE? For as long as the EE works for him/her, the ER is obliged to pay EC contributions. The obligation of the ER ceases when an EE is separated from employment, or if the EE dies during employment. When a covered EE becomes disabled during employment, the ER’s obligation to pay the monthly contribution arising from the employment will be suspended during the months when the EE is not receiving salary or wages. What are the benefits under the EC program? Benefits under the EC program are in the form of either income benefits or services, and they consist of the following: 1. Medical Services, Appliances and Supplies – these are provided to the afflicted

member beginning on the first day of injury or sickness, during the subsequent period of his/her disability, and as the progress of his/her recovery may require, subject to the expense limitation prescribed by the EC Commission. These benefits, however, are limited to the ward services only of an accredited hospital and physician. Ward services are all services an in-patient would ordinarily receive in a hospital.

2. Rehabilitation Services – Rehabilitation is the process by which there is provided a balanced program of remedial treatment, vocational assessment and preparation designed

98

to meet the individual needs of each handicapped EE to restore him/her to suitable employment (including assistance as may be within its resources) to help each person with work-related disability (PWRD) to develop his/her mental, vocational or social potential.

3. Income Cash Benefit – provided for the following:

Temporary total disability or sickness. An income cash benefit equivalent to ninety percent (90%) of the ADSC with a minimum of P10 and a maximum of P200 (effective November 1, 1996).

It is payable for a period not longer than 120 consecutive days except where the injury or sickness still requires medical attendance beyond 120 days but not to exceed 240 days. However, the System may declare the total and permanent status at any time after 120 days of continuous temporary total disability as may be warranted by the degree of actual loss or impairment of physical or mental functions of the member. The ER shall be liable for the benefit if such illness or injury occurred before the EE is duly reported for coverage to the System.

Permanent total disability. This involves the loss of two limbs at or above the ankle or wrists, permanent complete paralysis of two limbs, or other similar conditions as evaluated by a Medical Specialist. This benefit is a monthly pension paid to the sick or injured worker until death, plus ten percent (10%) for each of his/her five (5) dependent children, beginning with the youngest child and without substitution. The monthly pension shall be guaranteed for five (5) years and shall be suspended if the EE is gainfully employed, recovers from permanent total disability, or fails to present himself/herself for examination at least once a year upon notice by the SSS, or fails to submit a quarterly medical report certified by the attending physician as required under Section 5, Rule IV of the EC Law. Beginning January 1, 1991, a permanent total or permanent partial disability pensioner is given a Supplemental Allowance, in addition to the monthly pension, as additional financial assistance to meet the extra needs due to the disability. Effective May 1, 1993, the supplemental allowance is P575 a month. Upon the death of an EC permanent total disability (PTD) pensioner, the SSS will pay to the primary beneficiaries eighty percent (80%) of the monthly pension if the cause of death is a complication or natural consequence of previously-compensated PTD. In addition, the dependents will be paid the dependent’s pension. If the deceased pensioner has no primary beneficiaries, the SSS will pay to the secondary beneficiaries the remaining balance of the five-year guaranteed period, excluding the dependent’s pension.

Permanent partial disability. This involves the loss of one thumb, one arm, one index finger, one leg, or other similar conditions as evaluated by a Medical Specialist. A monthly pension is provided to the member, which is equivalent to the pension for PTD, but limited to the number of months designated by law for a particular disability. However, if the pension duration of the permanent partial disability is less than a year, the benefit is paid one-time in lump sum.

99

Death. A monthly pension is provided to the deceased member’s primary beneficiaries, plus ten percent (10%) of such benefit for each of the dependent children, subject to some limitations. In the absence of primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries are entitled to the monthly pension but not to exceed sixty (60) months.

Under the EC program, a funeral benefit grant will also be paid to any person who actually shouldered the burial expenses of the deceased member. As of September 1, 2013, this funeral benefit grant is P20,000.

What are the qualifications for EC benefits? 1. The EE should be duly reported to the SSS;

2. The EE’s sickness, injury or death is work-connected; and

3. The SSS has been duly notified of such sickness, injury or death. Under what conditions can an injury, sickness or death be compensable under EC? A sickness, injury, disability or death resulting from an employment accident is compensable if:

1. The EE is injured at the workplace while performing official functions; or

2. The EE is executing an order for the ER; or

3. While performing an act to minister personal comfort; or

4. Injury happened while going to or coming from the workplace; or

5. Injury happened while engaged in company-sponsored activity; or

6. Injury occurred while on-board a vehicle provided by the company; or

7. Illness is listed as an occupational disease under PD 626.

Under what conditions can an injury, sickness or death be deemed NOT compensable under EC? No compensation will be allowed to an EE or the dependents if the injury, sickness, disability or death is due to:

1. Intoxication;

2. Willful intention to injure or kill oneself or another; or

3. Notorious negligence.

What should the EE do to file for an EC claim? The ER should be notified of the EE’s sickness, injury or death within five (5) days from occurrence of the contingency. Notice is not necessary if the contingency occurred during working hours, at the place of work, and with the knowledge of the employer or representative.

100

What should the ER do upon the EE’s submission of notice? Pursuant to Section 2 Rule XVI - Employer’s Records and Notices of PD 626 or the Employee’s Compensation Law, all ERs are required to keep a logbook to record chronologically the sickness, injury or death of their EEs, listing therein their names, dates, and places of contingency and absences. Entries in the logbook should be made within five (5) days from notice or knowledge of the occurrence of the contingency. Within five (5) days after entry in the logbook, the ER should report to SSS those contingencies it deems to be work-connected. All entries in the logbook shall be made by the ER or any of his/her authorized officials after verification of the contingencies or the EE’s absences for a period of a day or more. Upon request by the SSS, the ER must furnish the necessary certificate regarding information about any contingency appearing in the logbook, citing the entry number, page number and date. Such logbook must be made available for inspection to the duly authorized representatives of SSS. What will happen if the ER fails to record the sickness, injury or death of any of the EEs in the logbook? Failure of the ER to keep a logbook or to give false information or withhold material information already in possession shall make the employer liable for fifty percent (50%) of the lump sum equivalent of the income benefit to which the EE may be found to be entitled, the payment of which shall accrue to the State Insurance Fund. In case of payment of benefits for any claim which is later determined to be fraudulent and the ER is found to be a party to the fraud, he/she shall reimburse the System the full amount of the compensation paid. Who are considered the legal dependents of a member? The primary beneficiaries of a member are the:

1. legitimate spouse living with the member at the time of death, until he/she remarries;

2. legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted or acknowledged natural children, who are unmarried, not gainfully employed, and not over 21 years of age, or may be over 21 years of age,

- provided that they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability that is congenital in nature or acquired during minority;

- provided further, that a dependent acknowledged natural child shall be considered as a primary beneficiary only when there are no other dependent children who are qualified and eligible for monthly income benefit; and

- provided finally, that if there are two or more acknowledged natural children, they shall be counted from the youngest and without substitution, but not exceeding five (per ECC Resolution No. 2799, July 25, 1984).

The secondary beneficiaries are the:

1. legitimate parents who are wholly dependent upon the EE for regular support;

2. legitimate descendants and illegitimate children who are unmarried, not gainfully

101

employed, and not over 21 years of age, or over 21 years of age provided they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority.

What will happen to the monthly death pension if the member has no primary and secondary beneficiaries? If the deceased member has no primary and secondary beneficiaries at the time of death, the benefit will accrue to the EC fund. What documents are needed to file for EC claims?

II.. EECC TTEEMMPPOORRAARRYY TTOOTTAALL DDIISSAABBIILLIITTYY OORR SSIICCKKNNEESSSS A. In filing for Employee’s Notification

For Employed Members

1. Sickness Notification (SN) Form

2. Accident/Sickness Report accomplished by ER and Police Report (if vehicular accident with third party involvement)

3. Photocopy of page of ER’s logbook (manual or electronic filing)

4. Filer’s SS Card or other valid ID cards/documents as listed in the attachment to the Form

5. Supporting medical documents

Note: Medical Specialist shall determine the required documents based on a separate checklist.

B. In filing for Sickness Benefit

BASIC DOCUMENTS For Employed Members

1. Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application (SBRA) Form

2. SN Form (approved as EC)

3. Filer’s SS Card or other valid ID cards/documents as listed in the form attachment

Note: All ERs are required to enroll in the SSS Sickness and Maternity Payment thru-the-Bank (SMB-PTB) Program for the remittances of their sickness reimbursement claims.

For SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment If confinement period applied for is within the period of employment or prior to date of separation

102

1. SBRA for SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment

2. Accident/Sickness Report accomplished by ER and Police Report (if vehicular accident with third-party involvement)

3. Filer’s SS Card or other valid ID cards/documents as listed in the attachment to the Form

4. Supporting medical documents

Note: Medical Specialist shall determine the required documents based on a separate checklist.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS – present the original/certified true copy and submit the photocopy of the following, whichever is applicable: For SE and VM (previously employed) If confinement period applied for is within the period of employment or prior to date of separation

- Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation and that no advance payment was granted (signed by the ER’s authorized signatory reflected in SS Form L-501)

For Member Separated from Employment If confinement period applied for is within the period of employment or prior to date of separation

- Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation and that no advance payment was granted (signed by the ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in SS Form L-501)

If confinement period applied for is after the date of separation

- Certificate of separation from employment with effective date of separation (signed by the ER’s authorized signatory as reflected in SS Form L-501)

Note: Certificate of separation is not required for SE/VM (previously employed) or Member Separated from Employment under any of the following conditions in which supporting document/s shall be required to be submitted, as enumerated below:

If company is on strike

Notice of strike duly acknowledged by the DOLE; and

Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If company has been dissolved or has ceased operation

Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If there is a case pending before a court regarding separation of member

Certification from DOLE; and

103

Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

If separated from employment due to AWOL or with strained relations with the ER

Duly notarized Affidavit of Undertaking issued by the member that no advance payment was granted and with indicated effected date of separation.

Note: Sickness benefit payments for SE/VM/Member Separated from Employment shall be remitted by SSS to the member’s designated bank under the SMB-PTB Program.

IIII.. EECC DDIISSAABBIILLIITTYY BASIC DOCUMENTS 1. Disability Claim Application

2. Member/Claimant’s Photo and Signature Form (for initial claims only)

3. SSS Medical Certificate Form accomplished by attending physician

4. Physical Examination (PE) report describing disabling manifestation, signed by attending physician, if disability happened abroad

5. Accident/Sickness Report accomplished by ER and Police Report (if vehicular accident with third-party involvement)

6. Supporting medical documents

Note: - Medical Specialist shall determine the required documents based on a separate checklist. - Photocopy of logbook citing the entry number, page number and date, if with previously

approved SN (as EC). - Documents issued by foreign country should be in English translation and duly

authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate Office or duly notarized by notary public in host country

7. Identification cards/documents of member

Any one of the following valid Primary ID cards/documents: SS card

UMID card Passport PRC Card Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book) Or in the absence of a valid Primary ID card/document, any two (2) of the following valid

Secondary ID cards (original) both with claimant’s signature and at least one (1) with photo: Driver’s License Postal ID Card School or Company ID

TIN card PhilHealth ID Card

104

OWWA Card Senior Citizen Card Voter’s Identification Card or Voter’s Affidavit/Certificate of Registration

Credit Card (with name and signature) Fish Worker’s License issued by the BFAR GSIS Card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership Health or Medical Card

Firearm License card issued by PNP ID Card issued by LGUs (e.g., Barangay/Municipality/City) ID Card issued by professional associations recognized by PRC

In the absence of a valid Primary ID card/document, any one (1) of the valid Secondary ID

cards listed above (original) and at least one (1) of the following Secondary documents: Marriage Contract/Certificate issued by the LCR or by the PSA (formerly NSO) Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form Police Clearance Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by the POEA

Student Permit issued by the LTO Alien Certificate of Registration Certificate of Confirmation issued by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Documents/Seafarer’s ID & Record Book from

MARINA Certificate of Naturalization issued by BI

Note: Presentation of the original and submission of photocopies of IDs shall be required. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS Any one (1) of the following:

1. Photocopy of single savings account passbook where the name of member and bank account number are shown; or

2. Photocopy of ATM card and validated deposit slip; or

3. Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form

Note:

- If member cannot open a savings account or apply for a Visa Cash Card, he/she must submit a written request for exemption stating reason why

- Original passbook/ATM card/deposit slip must be presented for authentication purposes

OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS - Original/Certified true copy and photocopy of applicable medical records: If unable to file disability claim personally

Sketch of member’s residence map or place of confinement, if local resident

105

If member is under guardianship

SPA or Affidavit of Guardianship, if guardian is spouse or parent of member (if single)

Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form, if guardian is other than spouse of parent of member

ITF savings account If with dependent child/ren (for total disability pension)

Certified true copy of Marriage Contract/Certificate of member, duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

- If Marriage Certificate is not available or marriage record is intact but no record of marriage from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) – submit certification of non-availability (CENOMAR) from the latter, and marriage certification issued by Parish/Church/Imam, or joint affidavit of two (2) persons who witnessed the marriage, and birth certificate of at least two (2) children wherein under both documents the parents’ names and date/place of marriage is indicated (if applicable)

Certified true copy of Birth Certificate of legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted dependent children duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO)

- If Birth Certificate is not available – submit certification of non-availability from LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) and certified true copy of baptismal certificate duly registered with Parish/Church

Note: - Baptismal certificate must bear original signature of the parish priest or his

authorized signatory official. - Stamped signature is not acceptable.

If baptismal certificate is not available (with certification of non-availability from the Parish/Church) – submit any of the following where name of the member, name and date of birth of dependent and relationship to member are indicated:

- School cards/records of dependents - Educational/Insurance plans - Employment records of member - PhilHealth/GSIS/Pag-IBIG records

Legal adoption papers for legally adopted child/ren

Note: Date of adoption should be prior to date of disability

Any proof of filiation for illegitimate dependent child/ren (for date of disability on or after May 24, 1997), such as:

- Certified true copy of Birth Certificate of illegitimate dependent child/ren duly registered with LCR/PSA (formerly NSO) * If Birth Certificate is not available, refer to alternative documents mentioned under birth/baptismal certificate

- Will - Statement before court of record - Any authentic writing (letter, diary)

Medical certificate of incapacitated dependent issued by the attending physician confirmed/certified by SSS Medical Specialist (Medical Evaluation Section, Branch or Physical Examination Center)

106

Claim for Dependent’s Pension Benefit (SSS Form BPN-106), if guardian is spouse or parent of member; or

Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form, if guardian is other than spouse or parent of member, or if qualified dependent/s is/are under guardian

IIIIII.. EECC MMEEDDIICCAALL RREEIIMMBBUURRSSEEMMEENNTT CCLLAAIIMM

1. EC Medical Reimbursement Application Forms (1 and 2)

2. Photocopy of page in the company logbook/records or any proof containing the description/information of the sickness/accident

3. Accident Report

4. SS ID Card or two (2) valid ID cards, both with signatures and at least one (1) with photo

5. Other documents:

For Work-Related Sickness/Illness

Pre-employment physical examination report, chest X-ray, ECG, if available

Certificate of length of service certified by ER

Certified true copy of hospital abstract

For Work-Related Accident

EE’s destination and purpose of trip, certified by ER; and

Police Report (if vehicular accident or medico legal incident)

6. Other documents:

For ER/Member Payee

Original Official Receipt (OR) with BIR permit number of medical expenses, including professional fees. In the absence of the original OR that are in custody of PhilHealth or any Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), the medical expenses may be proven by photocopies of OR stamped “Certified True Copy” by the Philhealth official or HMO authorized representative in custody of the OR. (per ECC Board Resolution No. 12-05-15, May 23, 2012)

Original charge slips/statement of account with itemized list or breakdown or expenses

For Hospital Payee

Original charge slips/statement of account with itemized list or breakdown or expenses

For Doctor Payee

Clinical records showing the following:

- Services rendered - Number and date/s of consultation/s or visits, if hospitalized

Operating Room record, if applicable

107

IIVV.. EECC DDEEAATTHH If Due to Accident

1. Accident Report/Report of Death (SS Form BPN – 105)

2. Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the ER

3. Mission/Job or Travel Order duly signed by the ER, when applicable

4. Photocopy of page in the company logbook/record of accident signed by the ER

5. Police investigation report or ER’s report of injury, death or casualty spot report, when applicable

6. Joint Affidavit (preferably by the relatives of deceased member) that the deceased member has no legal impediment to marry, if with dependent illegitimate children

If Due to Illness

1. Accident Report/Report of Death (SS Form BPN – 105)

2. Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the ER

3. Pre-employment medical records

4. Photocopy of page in the company logbook/record of accident signed by the ER

VV.. EECC FFUUNNEERRAALL If Due to Accident

1. Accident Report/Report of Death (SS Form BPN – 105)

2. Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the ER

3. Updated Service Record

4. Mission/Job or Travel Order duly signed by the employer, when applicable

5. Photocopy of page in the company logbook/record of accident signed by the ER

6. Police investigation report or ER’s report of injury, death or casualty spot report, when applicable

If Due to Illness

1. Accident Report/Report of Death (SS Form BPN – 105)

2. Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the ER

3. Updated Service Record

4. Pre-employment medical record

5. Photocopy of page in the company logbook/record of accident signed by the ER Where are claims for EC benefits filed? Claims for EC benefits can be filed at any SSS branch nearest the member/claimant.

108

SSAALLAARRYY LLOOAANN

SSS was mandated primarily to give social security protection to its members. However,

it has also provided its members with short-term loan programs from which they can borrow for personal purposes. The SSC, under Resolution No. 316-s.2012 dated April 18, 2012, approved the amendments on the existing guidelines on the SSS Short-Term Member Loan, better known as the Salary Loan. What is a salary loan? It is a loan privilege granted by SSS to eligible members to meet their short-term needs. Who may qualify for a salary loan? 1. All currently employed, currently contributing SE or VM.

For a one-month loan, the member-borrower must have 36 posted monthly contributions, six (6) of which should be within the last twelve (12) months prior to the month of filing of application.

For a two-month loan, the member-borrower must have 72 posted monthly contributions, six (6) of which should be within the last twelve (12) months prior to the month of filing of application.

2. The ER of the member-borrower must be updated in the payment of employees’ SSS contributions and loan remittances.

3. The member-borrower must be under sixty-five (65) years of age at the time of application.

4. The member-borrower has not yet been granted final SSS benefit (i.e. total permanent disability, retirement, or death). However, if said benefit was cancelled due to re-employment or recovery from disability, the member shall again be qualified, subject to the terms and conditions.

5. The member-borrower has not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS. How much is the loanable amount? A one-month salary loan is equivalent to the average of member-borrower’s latest posted 12 Monthly Salary Credits (MSCs), rounded to the next higher MSC, or the amount applied for, whichever is lower. A two-month salary loan is equivalent to twice the average of the member-borrower’s latest posted MSCs, rounded to the next higher MSC, or the amount applied for, whichever is lower.

109

The net amount of the loan shall be the difference between the approved loan amount and all outstanding balance of short-term member loans.

How is the loan amount released to the member-borrower? The member-borrower has the following options in receiving the loan amount:

Thru check sent via Post Office

Thru pre-paid Cash Card issued by SSS partner-banks How long will it take the member to pay back the loan? The one-month or two-month salary loan shall be payable within two (2) years in 24 equal monthly installments to start on the second month following the date of loan, which is due on or before the payment deadline for loans. How much is the interest charged on a salary loan? The loan shall be charged an interest rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, based on diminishing principal balance, and shall be amortized over a period of 24 months. If the loan is not fully paid at the end of the term, interest of ten percent (10%) shall continue to be charged on the outstanding principal balance until fully paid. Any excess in amortization payment shall be applied to outstanding principal balance. In case a loan is not paid, how much is the penalty charged? Loan amortization not remitted on due date shall bear a penalty of one percent (1%) per month until fully paid. Is there a service fee? Yes. A service fee of one percent (1%) of the loan amount is charged and deducted in advance from the proceeds of the loan. When can a member renew a salary loan with the SSS? The loan may be renewed after payment of at least fifty percent (50%) of the original principal amount and at least fifty percent (50%) of the term has lapsed. Proceeds of renewal loan is any amount greater than or equal to zero after the outstanding balance on the previous loan is deducted.

110

How does a member pay back the loan? For employed member-borrowers, the first deduction from their salaries shall start on the second month following the date of loan. All remittances should be made by the ER on or before the deadline for payment, which depends on the 10th digit of the 13-digit ER ID number.

If 10th digit of the 13-digit ER number ends in:

Payment Deadline (following the applicable month)

1 or 2 10th day of the month

3 or 4 15th day of the month

5 or 6 20th day of the month

7 or 8 25th day of the month

9 or 0 Last day of the month

For instance, if the ER ID Number is 03-1234567-8-012, the payment deadline for

member loans for the applicable month of January is February 25. Payment may be made at any SSS branch with tellering facility, SSS-accredited banks, or SSS-accredited payment centers. In case the payment deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, payment may be made on the next working day to avoid penalties on late member loan payments of ERs.

For SE or VM borrowers (except for OFW-members) –loan amortization may be paid to the SSS or any of its accredited banks/payment centers on the prescribed schedule of payment, which is according to the 10th (last) digit of their SS number.

If 10th (last) digit of the SS number ends in:

Payment Deadline [following the applicable month or quarter (for SE/VM only)

as the case may be]

1 or 2 10th day of the month

3 or 4 15th day of the month

5 or 6 20th day of the month

7 or 8 25th day of the month

9 or 0 Last day of the month

For instance, if the SS number is 01-2345678-9, the payment deadline for member loans for the applicable month of January is February 28 (last day of the month). In case the payment deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, payment may be made on the next working day to avoid penalties on late member loan payments of SE and VM. However for OFW-members, the payment deadline is on or before the 10th day of the month following the applicable month or quarter. What should a member do if he/she transfers employment? A member-borrower who transfers employment should submit to his/her new ER an

111

updated statement of account of any outstanding loan balance with SSS and allow the new ER to deduct from his/her salary the corresponding amortization due, including any interest or penalty for late remittance. What are the obligations of the ER to the SSS? The ER shall be responsible for the collection and remittance to the SSS of the amortization due on the member-borrower’s salary loan through payroll deduction. The ER shall require new EEs to secure from the SSS an updated statement of account. He/she shall then deduct and remit to SSS any outstanding loan balance of new EEs. In case of transfer, separation or resignation from employment, how can a member-borrower pay back the loan? In case a member-borrower is separated voluntarily (e.g. retirement or resignation) or involuntarily (e.g. termination of employment or cessation of company operations), the ER should deduct the total loan balance from any benefit(s) due to the EE and remit this in full to SSS. If the benefit(s) due to the EE or the amount legally available to offset his/her obligations is insufficient to fully repay the loan, the ER should report to the SSS the EE’s effective date of separation from the company and the unpaid loan balance as of separation date. In case of default in loan amortizations, what happens to the unpaid loan? In case of default, the arrearages/unpaid salary loan shall be deducted from the benefits claimed by the member, whichever comes first, as follows:

1. For SE/VM, deduction shall be from short-term benefits (Sickness/Maternity/Partial Disability).

2. Upon member-borrower’s death, total disability or retirement, the outstanding loan balance,

including the interest and penalty, shall be deducted from the corresponding benefit.

What are the other conditions of the loan? 1. Any overpayment on a previous salary loan shall be applied to a subsequent loan, if any.

Otherwise, the overpayment shall be refunded upon request of the member-borrower. 2. The borrower shall notify the SSS in case of change of address/ER thru mail/e-mail/over-

the-counter (OTC). The notice should indicate the name and SS Number of the member-borrower, addressed to the Member Services Section of the nearest SSS Branch, and duly signed by the member-borrower (in case of mail/OTC).

Note: A Disclosure Statement on the loan transaction is issued by the SSS to the member-borrower upon approval of his/her loan (per R.A. 3765, Truth in Lending Act).

112

What are the documents needed for filing a salary loan? A member-borrower shall submit an accomplished Member Loan Application (MLA) form. In the said form, he/she must indicate his/her updated contact information, the loan amount being applied for, the preferred mode of payment, and he/she must sign the portion for Certification/Agreement/Promissory Note of the MLA. For member-borrowers opting to receive their loan proceeds thru cash card, they must also accomplish a Consent to Disclose Information Form (in compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas laws and regulations).

The following is a list of Filer’s valid ID cards/documents:

A. Primary ID Cards/Documents

SS Card

UMID Card

Driver’s License

Passport

PRC Card

Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s ID and Record Book)

B. Secondary ID Cards/Documents

Alien Certificate of Registration

Certificate of Licensure/ Qualification Documents from MARINA

Certificate of Muslim Filipino Tribal Affiliation issued by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

Company or School ID Credit Card Firearm License card issued by PNP

Fishworker’s License issued by BFAR GSIS card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership Health or Medical card

ID card issued by LGUs (e.g. Barangay/Municipality/City)

ID card issued by professional associations recognized by PRC Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate OWWA card

Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form

PhilHealth ID card Police Clearance Postal ID Card

Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEA

Senior Citizen card

Student Permit issued by LTO TIN card

Voter’s ID card or Voter’s Affidavit/Certificate of Registration

If loan application is filed by Member-Borrower (MB):

- Present the original of any one (1) of the Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo.

113

If loan application is filed by Authorized Representative (AR) of Member-Borrower (MB):

- Present the original of any one (1) of the AR’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo; and

- Original of any one (1) of the MB’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo.

If loan application is filed by ER:

- Present the original of any one (1) of the ER’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo; and

- Original of any one (1) of the MB’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo.

If loan application is filed by Company Representative:

- Present the Authorized Company Representative (ACR) Card; or

- If without ACR (not available at the time of filing), present the original of any one (1) of the Company Representative’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo; and

- Original of any one (1) of the MB’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one(1) of which has his/her signature and photo.

If loan application is filed by ER’s Representative:

- Present the original of any one (1) of the ER Representative’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo; and

- Original of any one (1) of the MB’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo.

If loan application is filed by Representative of Household Employer (HR):

- Present the original of any one (1) of the HR’s Representative’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo; and

- Original of any one (1) of the MB’s Primary ID cards/documents (Item A) or two (2) Secondary ID cards/documents, at least one (1) of which has his/her signature and photo.

Note: For security agencies and ERs with branch offices but with centralized filing of loan applications, photocopies of the above-listed ID card/documents duly certified by the MB and authenticated by the authorized company signatory may be accepted.

114

Where can a member-borrower file the salary loan application? Employed Member: The salary loan application may be submitted online by an employed

member if he/she is registered at the My.SSS facility of the SSS website. The submitted application will be directed to his/her ER’s My.SSS account for certification; hence, the ER must also have an SSS Web account. The ER must certify the EE’s online application within three (3) working days or else it becomes invalid.

The EE may also file the salary loan application at the branch nearest his/her residence or place of business.

Note: The ER must submit an updated Specimen Signature Card (SS Form L-501) annually to avoid delay in the processing of salary loan applications.

SE/NWS/VM : If they are registered at the My.SSS facility of the SSS Website, they can submit

the salary loan application online. They may also file the salary loan application at the branch nearest their place of residence or business.

OFW: If they are registered at the My.SSS facility of the SSS Website, an OFW Member can

submit his/her salary loan application online. He/she may also file the salary loan application at the SSS Foreign Representative Offices (FRO) in selected countries.

In case there is no SSS FRO in his/her country, the OFW may send the application and supporting documents to his/her relatives here in the Philippines and authorize them to file at the nearest SSS branch. Documents issued in other countries should be duly authenticated or certified by the Philippine Consulate/Embassy.

115

GGlloossssaarryy ooff SSSSSS TTeerrmmss

Average Daily Salary Credit – the result obtained by dividing the sum of the six (6) highest

monthly salary credits in the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of contingency by 180.

Average Monthly Salary Credit – the result obtained by dividing the sum of the last sixty

(60) monthly salary credits immediately preceding the semester of contingency by 60, or the result obtained by dividing the sum of all the monthly salary credits paid prior to the semester of contingency by the number of monthly contributions paid in the same period, whichever is greater.

Beneficiaries – those qualified to receive a share or the entire benefits of a retired, totally

disabled, or deceased member and are categorized as follows:

a) Primary Beneficiaries – the legal and dependent spouse (until he/she remarries) and the dependent legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the member.

b) Secondary Beneficiaries – the dependent parents, or in their absence, the persons

designated by the member as his/her beneficiaries.

The following may be designated as secondary beneficiaries who must be dependent for support from the member at the time of contingency:

Legitimate ascendant and descendant

Parents and their legitimate children, and the legitimate and illegitimate children of the latter

Parents and their illegitimate children

Legitimate brothers and sisters, whether full-blood or half-blood

Other collateral relatives: - Nephews/nieces - Grandnephews/nieces - Uncles/aunts - First cousins - Child/ren of first cousins

Business Development Loan Facility – a lending facility of the SSS designed to contribute

to the nation’s economic growth and development by providing financial assistance to the business sector for the purpose of increasing productivity and enhancing potential earning through expansion, diversification, and other business development projects.

Compensation – refers to all actual remuneration from employment, including all allowances

that are not subject to reimbursement, bonuses, except Christmas bonus or 13th month pay, whichever is applicable, and the cash value of any remuneration paid in any medium other than cash, except that part of the remuneration received during the month in excess of the maximum salary credit prescribed under Section 18 of RA 1161, as amended by RA 8282.

116

Compulsory Coverage – is the mandatory registration of employees, employers and self-employed persons with the SSS, with corresponding payment and remittance of social security contributions.

Contingency – is the sickness or injury, maternity, disability, retirement and death of the

member. Contribution – refers to the amount to be paid to the SSS by and on behalf of the members. Contributions Payment Return Form – is the form used by both employer and individual

members when paying their contributions to the SSS and to the Employees’ Compensation (only for employers); the form also contains a ‘Declaration of Earnings’ portion wherein the individual member can declare a change in his/her monthly earnings, which shall be the basis of the new monthly salary credit until revised.

Contribution Collection List – also known as SSS Form R-3. This form is submitted

quarterly by employers and contains a summary of employees’/house helpers’ contributions collected monthly through salary deduction.

Credited Years of Service (CYS) – are the years from which the SSS shall base, among

others, in computing the benefits that the members and their beneficiaries shall receive and are determined using the following formulas:

a) For a member covered prior to January 1985:

CYS = A + B Where: A = 1985 minus the calendar year of coverage B = number of calendar years with at least six (6) monthly contributions were paid

from January 1985 to the calendar year containing the semester of contingency b) For a member covered in or after January 1985 until December 2001, the CYS shall

be the sum of the number of calendar years in which six (6) or more contributions have been paid from the year of coverage up to the calendar year containing the semester of contingency.

c) Starting January 2002:

CYS = A+B+C Where: A = 1985 minus the calendar year of coverage B = number of calendar years with at least six (6) monthly contributions were paid

from January 1985 to 2001 the calendar year containing the semester of contingency

C = total number of monthly contributions paid beginning January 2002 divided by twelve (12)

d) The Social Security Commission may also prescribe a different number of

contributions in a calendar year for it to be considered as a CYS. Death Benefits – benefits paid, either as monthly pension or lump sum, to the beneficiaries of

a deceased member.

117

Dependents – refers to the following:

a) The legal spouse entitled by law to receive support from the member; b) The legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted, and illegitimate child who:

- is unmarried, not gainfully employed, and has not reached 21 years of age; - if over 21 years of age, he/she must be incapacitated and incapable of self-support

due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority;

- conceived on or before the date of total disability or death of the member; or conceived before or after the retirement of the member;

c) The parent/s who received support from the member. Dependent’s Pension – is the benefit paid monthly to each dependent child, but not

exceeding five (5), beginning with the youngest and without substitution. Where there are both legitimate and illegitimate children, the legitimate shall be preferred. The amount of dependent’s pension is equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member’s monthly pension, or P250, whichever is higher.

Educational Assistance Loan Program – a financial assistance program funded 50:50 by the SSS and the National Government to help SSS members and their dependents defray enrollment costs for college, vocational, and technical courses.

Eighteen (18) Months Advance Pension – the first eighteen (18) months pension paid out

in lump sum, discounted at a preferential rate of interest to be determined by the SSS, which the member chose to receive in advance. This option is exercised only at the time of filing the retirement claim. The dependent’s pension and 13th month pension are excluded from the advanced amount.

Employee – is defined as follows:

a) A worker in the private sector, regardless of status of employment – such as

permanent, temporary, or provisional – who is not over 60 years of age (if initial

coverage).

b) A house helper earning at least P1,000 a month who is not over 60 years of age (if

initial coverage).

c) A Filipino seafarer, upon signing of the standard employment contract and actual

deployment by the manning agency and the foreign principal.

d) A worker of a foreign government or international organization, or its wholly-owned

instrumentalities, which has an approved Administrative Agreement with the SSS for

the coverage of its Filipino employees.

Employer – Any person – natural or juridical, domestic or foreign – who uses and pays for the

services of another person in any business, trade, industry, activity or undertaking. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a) A social, civic, professional, charitable, and other non-profit organization; b) A foreign government or international organization, or its wholly-owned

instrumentalities such as an embassy in the Philippines, with an approved Administrative Agreement with the SSS for the coverage of its Filipino workers;

118

c) A person who uses and pays for the services of a house helper. For this purpose, the husband or wife or any person who actually pays the compensation for such services shall be deemed the Household Employer.

Employer Registration Form – also known as SSS Form R-1. This form is used by

employers in registering with the SSS and applying for an Employer SS Number. The SSS Form R-1 includes the employer’s contact details, nature of business, names of owners and managing heads.

Employer Data Change Request Form – also known as SSS Form R-8. This is used for the

correction, change, and updating of an Employer’s data record and status of business operations. This Form should be signed by the required signatory, supported by the original and photocopy of appropriate documents, if any, showing the Effectivity Date. Under certain conditions, the Form should also be duly notarized.

Employment – Any service performed by an employee for his/her employer, EXCEPT:

a) Employment purely casual and not for the purpose of occupation or business of the employer;

b) Service performed on or in connection with an alien vessel by an employee if he is employed when such vessel is outside the Philippines;

c) Service performed in the employ of the Philippine Government or instrumentality or agency thereof;

d) Service performed in the employ of a foreign government or international organization, or their wholly-owned instrumentality. However, any foreign government, international organization or their wholly-owned instrumentality employing workers in the Philippines or employing Filipinos outside of the Philippines, may enter into an agreement with the Philippine Government for the inclusion of such employees in the SSS except those already covered by their respective civil service retirement systems; and

e) Such other services performed by temporary and other employees, which may be excluded by regulation of the SSC. Employees of bona fide independent contractors shall not be deemed employees of the employer engaging the services of said contractors.

Employment Report Form – also known as SSS Form R-1A. This is used by employers to

report newly-hired employees and their hiring dates, their respective SS Numbers and salaries, as well as separated or terminated employees and their dates of separation, among others.

Farmer – any person whose primary livelihood, either by himself/herself or spouse and/or

immediate members of his/her family, is cultivation and tillage of the soil, dairying, growing and harvesting of agricultural and horticultural products.

Fisherman – any person whose primary livelihood, either by himself/herself or spouse and/or

immediate members of his/her family, is fishing, catching, raising, or gathering marine and other aquatic products.

Fixed Charges – recurring expense such as amortization of debt discount and rentals for

leased properties, including interest on funded and unfunded debt.

119

Funeral Benefit – cash grant paid to help defray the cost of funeral expenses upon the death of a member.

House Helper or Kasambahay – is any person who renders domestic or household services

exclusively in the employer’s home, including other areas that the household employer may designate, and to the members of the employer’s household, and who receives compensation for such services.

Household Employer Unified Registration Form – also known as PPS-HEUR1 Form.

This is a three-in-one form used to register and get a Household Employer Number from three (3) agencies: the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund. The Form, with the required documents, may be submitted to any of the three (3) agencies.

In Good Standing – up-to-date in the remittance of contributions and loan amortization

payments, no pending case, no pending complaints under investigation, and no outstanding obligations such as rentals and other monetary liabilities to the SSS.

Kasambahay Unified Registration Form – also known as PPS-KUR Form. This is a three-

in-one form used by a house helper to register and get membership numbers from the three (3) agencies: the SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund. The Form, with the required documents, may be submitted to any one of the three agencies.

Loans Collection List – also known as SSS Form ML-2. This is used by employers in

reporting a summary of all employees’ loan amortization payments deducted and remitted to SSS.

Lump sum amount – one-time cash benefit paid in the following situations:

a) Amount granted to a retiree or to a disabled member (who suffers from permanent total disability or permanent partial disability) who has not met the required number of contributions to qualify for the monthly pension;

b) Amount granted to a disabled member if the approved disability period is payable for less than twelve (12) months;

c) Amount granted to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who has paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death; and

d) Amount given to secondary beneficiaries of a deceased member, if there are no primary beneficiaries.

Maternity Benefit – daily cash allowance granted to a female member who was unable to

work due to childbirth or miscarriage. Member – refers to a covered employee, a self-employed person, overseas Filipino worker,

seafarer, voluntary member, or a non-working spouse, who is registered with the SSS and has paid at least one (1) month contribution.

Member Data Amendment Form – also known as SSS Form E-4. This form is used for the

correction, change, and updating of an individual member’s data record. Member Loan Payment Return Form – also known as SSS Form ML-1. This form is used

by members when paying their loan amortizations.

120

Monthly – the period from one end of the last payroll period of the preceding month to the end of the last payroll period of the current month, if compensation is on hourly, daily or weekly basis; if on any other basis, ‘monthly’ shall mean a period of one (1) month.

Monthly Pension – lifetime cash benefit paid to a retiree or to a disabled member (who

suffers from permanent total disability or permanent partial disability), as well as to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who has met the required number of contributions to qualify for the monthly pension.

Monthly Salary Credit – the compensation base for contributions and benefits related to the

member's total earnings for the month, as indicated in the schedule in Section 18 of the SS Law.

My.SSS – online service portal within the SSS Website that allows registered SSS members safe

and exclusive access to their contributions and membership records. Thru this portal, they may also make online transactions, set appointments with an SSS branch, and submit certain report and claim forms, among others.

Net Earnings – net income before taxes plus non-cash charges such as depreciation and

depletion appearing in the regular financial statement of the issuing or assuming institution.

Non-Working Spouse (NWS) – a married person who devotes full time in the management

of his/her household and family affairs, unless he/she is engaged in other vocation or employment that is subject to mandatory coverage. An NWS should:

a) Be legally married to a currently-paying employee, self-employed or overseas Filipino

worker, who has at least one (1) posted contribution within the last six (6) months prior to the date of registration of the NWS;

b) Have never been a member of the SSS (not yet covered and no contributions); and c) Not be over 60 years old (up to 60th birthday)

Notification – the act of formally informing both the employer and the SSS of an employee’s

sickness, pregnancy, or work-related injury within the required notification period, in compliance with the rules on the Sickness, Maternity and EC benefits. For members separated from employment, self-employed, and voluntary members, they shall directly notify the SSS of their sickness or pregnancy within the required notification period, in compliance with the rules on the Sickness and Maternity benefits.

One-Month Salary Loan – the average of a member’s latest twelve (12) MSC, or amount

applied for, whichever is lower. Overseas Filipino Worker – any of the following types of OFW who is not over 60 years old

(up to 60th birthday): a) Recruited in the Philippines by a foreign-based employer for employment abroad; b) Having a source of income in a foreign country; or c) Residing permanently in a foreign country.

Pensioner – is a member or a beneficiary who receives retirement, disability, or death benefit

paid on a monthly basis.

121

Permanent Disability Benefit – cash benefit paid to a member who suffers either permanent partial or total disability, and who has at least one (1) monthly contribution paid to the SSS prior to the semester of contingency.

Personal Record Form – also known as SSS Form E-1. This form is used by an individual

who registers with the SSS to secure an SS number for employment purposes. Prescriptive Period – the period of time in which a member or a beneficiary must file a claim

for benefit or re-adjudication of an earlier settled benefit claim. After the lapse of this period, the claim for benefit or re-adjudication will be denied.

Quarter – a period of three (3) consecutive calendar months ending on the last day of March,

June, September, and December. Re-adjudication – the act of reviewing, re-verifying and re-calculating a settled benefit claim,

upon the request of a member or beneficiary, to determine correctness of the beneficiary or the amount of benefit granted.

Retirement Benefit – cash benefit, either in monthly pension or lump sum amount, paid to a

member who can no longer work due to old age. Salary Loan – cash loan granted to an employed, currently-paying self-employed or voluntary

member. This is intended to meet the member’s short-term credit needs. Self-Employed – a person engaged in any trade, business or occupation, who has no

employer, other than himself, derives an income of at least P1,000 a month from his/her physical and mental efforts, and who is not over 60 years of age (if initial coverage). This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a) Self-employed professionals who have their own business offices; b) Partners, single proprietors of businesses, and Directors or Trustees of the Board of

corporations duly registered with appropriate government agencies; c) Actors, directors, scriptwriters, and news correspondents who do not fall within the

definition of the term “employee” in Section 8 (D) of the SS Law; d) Professional athletes, coaches, trainers, jockeys, individual farmers and fisher folks; e) Workers in the informal sector such as market and ambulant vendors, watch-your-

car-boys, transport workers, and those similarly situated; f) Contractual and job order personnel engaged by the government through a Contract

of Service and who are not coverable under the GSIS Law; and g) Any other SE person as determined by the SSC under such rules and regulations that

it may prescribe. Semester – a period of two (2) consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of contingency. Sickness Benefit – daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to

work due to sickness or injury. Specimen Signature Card – also known as SSS Form L-501. This is a form submitted by

employers upon registration and updated annually thereafter, containing the names and signatures of the designated company officials/persons authorized to certify or sign SSS documents.

122

Social Development Loan Facility – a lending facility of the SSS designed to provide long-

term loan assistance for the development of facilities and establishments or institutions that provide quality education or other academic training programs, and affordable medical or health care-related services to the general population, and to SSS members and their dependents.

Thirteenth (13th) Month Pension – an additional one-month pension given as bonus every

December to retirement, disability and death pensioners. Two-Month Salary Loan – the loan amount that is equivalent to two (2) times the average of

the member’s latest twelve (12) posted MSCs, rounded to the next higher MSC, or the amount applied for, whichever is lower.

Underground Mineworker – any person who:

a) Has been employed and certified as an underground mineworker by his/her employer whose business must be duly registered with the Bureau of Mines as a mining company. The certification must be properly supported by the worker’s job description; and

b) Has been working as underground mineworker for at least five (5) years (either continuous or accumulated) prior to the semester of retirement but whose actual date of retirement is not earlier than March 13, 1998.

Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card – identification card that contains a

contactless chip and magnetic stripe to store the owner’s biometric information, and is used when transacting with participating government agencies such as SSS, GSIS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth.

Voluntary Coverage – refers to the coverage of non-working spouses, Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFWs) and those covered under bilateral agreements. Voluntary Member – one who satisfies all of the following pre-requisites:

a) Has been previously covered either as EE, SE, or OFW member; b) With at least one (1) monthly contribution; c) Is no longer employed or has stopped being SE or an OFW, or realizes no income or

earnings as such for a given period; and

d) Opts to continue paying contributions on a voluntary basis to maintain his/her right to full benefit.

123

GGlloossssaarryy ooff AAccrroonnyymmss

ACOP - Annual Confirmation of Pensioners ACR - Authorized Company Representative ADA - Automatic Debit Arrangement ADSC - Average Daily Salary Credit AMSC - Average Monthly Salary Credit AO - Administrative Order AR - Authorized Representative AWOL - Absence Without Leave BFAR - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources BIR - Bureau of Internal Revenue CDA - Cooperative Development Authority CENOMAR - Certificate of No Marriage COMELEC - Commission on Elections CRN - Common Reference Number CYS - Credited Years of Service D&C - Dilation and Curettage DILG - Department of Interior and Local Government DCA - Death Claim Application DisCA - Disability Claim Application DOC - Date of Coverage DOH - Department of Health DOLE - Department of Labor and Employment DTI - Department of Trade and Industry ECC - Employees’ Compensation Commission ECG - Electrocardiogram EC Program - Employees’ Compensation Program EDI - Electronic Data Interchange EE - Employee E-Payment - Electronic Payment ER - Employer FBS - Fasting Blood Sugar GSIS - Government Service Insurance System HMO - Health Maintenance Organization H-mole - Hydatidiform Mole HR - Household Employer ICD-10 - International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problem Codes ITF - In-Trust-For ITR - Income Tax Return LCR - Local Civil Registrar LGU - Local Government Unit LOA - Letter of Authorization LOI - Letter of Introduction LTFRB - Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board LTO - Land Transportation Office MARINA - Maritime Industry Authority MB - Member-Borrower MBA - Maternity Benefit Application

124

MBRA - Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application MES - Medical Evaluation Section MN - Maternity Notification MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging MSC - Monthly Salary Credit NBI - National Bureau of Investigation NDRRMC - National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council NWS - Non-Working Spouse OEC - Overseas Employment Certificate OFW - Overseas Filipino Worker OR - Official Receipt ORR - Operating Room Record OTC - Over-the-Counter OWWA - Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Pag-IBIG - Home Development Mutual Fund PCAB - Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board PD - Presidential Decree PEC - Physical Examination Center PEI - Physical Examination and Interview PhilHealth - Philippine Health Insurance Corporation PNP - Philippine National Police POEA - Philippine Overseas Employment Administration PPD - Permanent Partial Disability PSA - Philippine Statistics Authority (formerly National Statistics Office/NSO) PTD - Permanent Total Disability PWRD - Person with Work-Related Disability RA - Republic Act RCA - Retirement Claim Application SBA - Sickness Benefit Application SBR - Special Bank Receipt SBRA - Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application SE - Self-Employed SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission SLERP - Salary Loan Renewal Program SMB-PTB - Sickness and Maternity Benefits Payment thru-the-Bank SN - Sickness Notification SSA - Social Security Agreement SSC - Social Security Commission SSIT - Self-Service Information Terminal SS Law - Social Security Law SPA - Special Power of Attorney SS - Social Security SSS - Social Security System TIN - Taxpayer’s Identification Number TL - Transmittal List TODA - Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations UMID - Unified Multi-purpose Identification card VM - Voluntary Member WHO - World Health Organization WINS - Web Inquiry System