What is it and are you eligible for the SSS Sickness Benefit? Read on to find out more.
What is it?
This is a way by which the Social Security System provides for a replacement of income lost on account of illness or injury.
Let’s start by clarifying news that was recently released. The article, “Here’s how workers can claim COVID-related benefits from SSS” posted by ABS-CBN might be confusing.
So, if you are employed and still enjoy your Sick Leave benefit or still getting paid by your employer, contrary to what came out in the news, your case is not eligible for the claim. Do not worry, this is good, because it means you are getting 100% of your daily salary credit. It’s a blessing! In the SSS Sickness Benefit, the amount of the member’s daily sickness benefit allowance is equivalent to ninety percent (90%) of his/her average daily salary credit (ADSC). Oh, and we hope you’d feel better soon. Health is wealth as they say.
In 1973, the Social Security System (SSS) released Circular No. 94-T with subject line “Entitlement to Sickness Benefit Only If The Company Sick Leave Have Been Exhausted.” See picture below. This has not yet been updated since.
You are eligible to claim the SSS Sickness Benefit if…
If you are in the workforce and got sick (please do rest and we hope you’d feel better) AND you no longer have Sick Leave credits (also no more support or continued pay from your Company), please go and coordinate with your HR Partner or your Benefits Team/Specialist. Employee should have paid at least three (3) months of contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of sickness or injury. What normally happens is that the Company advances the pay and reimburses from SSS. It’s a lot more complicated than this but just to give you a high-level. Different Companies might also have different approach.
Can Employees Claim SSS Sickness Benefit If They Contracted COVID?
Now this is something no one hopes for and we pray for those suffering from this illness. Yes, employees can for those who are eligible (see above). SSS fast-tracks the response to such cases. However, there is no additional benefit under the SSS Sickness Benefit for this type of illness, if that’s what you’re asking. For employees whom we said above does not qualify, that is also true in this case.
If you are looking for Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program, check this link. This one is in place to assist workers who suffer work-connected sickness or injury resulting in disability or death. The benefits under the EC program may be enjoyed simultaneously with benefits under the social security program effective June 1984. Work-connected, meaning you got sick from performing your job or connected to your job. This does not apply to employees who are working from home.
For self-employed, voluntary, overseas Filipino worker (OFW), non-working spouse (NWS), and member separated from employment, please go here for more details.
Should you have more questions, please do reach out to them through the numbers below.
How to Contact SSS
- SSS Hotline: 1455
- Toll-Free No.: 1-800-10-2255777
- SSS Email: member_relations@sss.gov.ph
International Toll-Free Numbers here.