Requirements and Application Process for SSS Maternity Benefit

Are you pregnant? Are you a non-government employee, a private employee or self-employed? Do you have an SSS membership?

Well then, good news! Because the SSS maternity benefit applies to you. And with this benefit, you will receive such compensation for your leave in order to take care of your baby.

• Expanded Maternity Leave Law Gives 105 Days of Paid Maternity Leave

And with this benefit, you will receive such compensation for your leave in order to take care of your baby.

This would be generally helpful as we all know that being pregnant or giving birth is no joke. 

With the hospital bills piling up and your baby’s needs after giving birth, a financial help from the government as compensation for your hard work would be extremely helpful.

Having stated those above, this article will guide you to knowing everything that you need to know about the SSS maternity benefit.

How can I qualify?

Below is a list of qualifications that you need to be or that you need to fulfill in order to avail of this benefit.

1. You must be an SSS member
2. You must be female and Sorry, ladies. But if you happen to not have an SSS membership but your significant other does, he can’t apply in your place. It’s in the rules.
3. You must have paid at least three (3) monthly contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of childbirth or miscarriage.
4. You must notify SSS about your pregnancy through your employer if employed or submit your notification of pregnancy directly to SSS if you have been removed from employment or if you are self-employed.

If you have completed all four qualifications, then, you are good to go. But if not, the best thing to do is complete that task as soon as possible.

But if not, the best thing to do is complete that task as soon as possible.

How can I apply?

Alright, moving on to the application process. Let’s say you have completed the four qualifications above and you are now prepared and excited to avail your SSS maternity benefit. Here’s how it will go.

Notification Process

For employers and employees

Once you know about the pregnancy, it will be to the best of your interest to notify your employer about the pregnancy and the probable date that you expect to have the baby.

At least 60 days from conception. This can be done by submitting the SSS Maternity Notification form and attaching a proof of pregnancy such as an ultrasound report.

For unemployed, self-employed and voluntary members

If you qualify in this section, please be sure to notify SSS directly and as soon as possible. Delaying to submit the notification of not submitting at all might lead to denial of access to the said benefit. So be sure to act quick and do things fast!

Application Requirements (For Notification)

For employee, unemployed, self-employed and voluntary members

Below is a list of requirements that you must attach together with the notification form.

1. UMID or SSS biometrics card or two (2) other valid IDs (both with signature)
2. At least one (1) photo and date of birth
3. Proof of pregnancy (ultrasound report)

Application Requirements (For Reimbursement)

For employed members

Below is a list of requirements that you must attach together with the reimbursement form.

1. UMID or SSS biometrics card or two (2) other valid IDs (both with signature)
2. At least one (1) photo and date of birth

*Authorized company representatives who file maternity benefit claim must include your SSS digitized ID or E-6 acknowledgment stub with two (2) valid IDs (at least one with photo). These IDs should be filed with the company representative’s own SSS digitized ID and blue card.

For separated members

Below is a list of requirements that you must attach together with the reimbursement form.

1. Certification from the last employer showing the effective date of separation from employment or notice of company’s closure/strike or certification from the Department of Labor andEmployment that the employee or employer has a pending labor case.
2. Certification that no advance payment was granted (if confinement days applied for are within or prior to separation).
3. UMID or SSS biometrics card or two (2) other valid IDs (both with signature)
4. At least one (1) photo and date of birth

For self-employed/voluntary members

Below is a list of requirements that you must attach together with the reimbursement form.

1. Maternity Notification Form duly stamped by SSS
2. UMID or SSS biometrics card or two (2) other valid IDs (both with signature)
3. At least one (1) photo and date of birth

Additional Requirements

Below is a list of other requirements that you must attach together with your forms. This section is divided into the types of pregnancies and birth for convenience.

Normal delivery

Certified true or authenticated copy of the duly registered birth certificate. In case the child dies or is a stillborn, duly registered death or fetal death certificate.

Caesarean delivery

Certified or authenticated copy of the duly registered birth certificate and certified true copy of operating room record/surgical memorandum.

Miscarriage or abortion

Obstetrical history stating the number of pregnancy certified by the attending physician and dilatation and curettage (D&C) report for incomplete abortion, pregnancy test before and after abortion with age of gestation and hystopath report for complete abortion.

How much will I receive?

The SSS Maternity Benefit is equal to 100% of your average daily salary multiplied by 60 days for normal delivery or miscarriage and 78 days for caesarean section delivery.

Example: 

Diane is a self-employed SSS member and she has been paying P1,760 per month for her SSS contributions since January 2015. She’s currently pregnant and her estimated delivery date is November 10, 2017. How much will she get from her SSS Maternity Benefit? 

First, let’s get the semester of contingency which includes the quarter of her delivery month and the quarter before that. Therefore, her semester of contingency includes the following months:

July 2017 – August 2017 – September 2017 – October 2017 – November 2017 – December 2017 

Then, we will take note of her SSS contributions and Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) during the 12 months prior to the semester of contingency: 

1. June 2017 – P1,760 (SSS Contribution) – P16,000 (MSC)
2. May 2017 – P1,760 – P16,000
3. April 2017 – P1,760 – P16,000
4. March 2017 – P1,760 – P16,000
5. February 2017 – P1,760 – P16,000
6. January 2017 – P1,760 – P16,000
7. December 2016 – P1,760 – P16,000
8. November 2016 – P1,760 – P16,000
9. October 2016 – P1,760 – P16,000
10. September 2016 – P1,760 – P16,000
11. August 2016 – P1,760 – P16,000
12. July 2016 – P1,760 – P16,000

The next step is to add the 6 highest MSC from this 12-month period: 

1. P16,000
2. P16,000
3. P16,000
4. P16,000
5. P16,000
6. P16,000

Total Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) is P96,000.

Divide Total MSC by 180 days to get the Average Daily Salary Credit:

P96,000 / 180 days = P533.33

How much is Diane’s SSS Maternity Benefit? 

A. If she delivers normally, multiply the daily salary credit by 60 days:

P533.33 x 60 days = P32,000

B. If she delivers via Caesarian Section, multiply the daily salary credit by 78 days:

P533.33 x 78 days = P41,600

Therefore, Diane will receive P32,000 for Normal Delivery or P41,600 for CS Delivery.

Regarding the Expanded Maternity Leave Law which was signed by the Senate on March 6, 2017, Dianne cannot avail of this yet since it’s still being processed in the House of Representative and it has yet to be approved and signed by the President after all the necessary procedures. 

We’re very fortunate to have been entitled to such benefits as Filipinos and members of the Social Security System but we must learn to comply with requirements so there will be no headaches to deal with later.

All the best to you and your baby!

Click the link to read more about SSS Maternity Benefit, SSS Sickness Benefit, SSS Retirement Benefit, SSS Disability Benefit, SSS Death and Funeral Benefit or visit the SSS website for more info.