SSS Maternity Benefit

I am finally appreciating the fact that I am a member of SSS since 2004. I've been consistent with my remittance ever since and I am happy. Why? Because aside from Philhealth I can also get my Maternity Benefit from SSS. I have actually availed of it on my first pregnancy and will avail it again now. But alas, you can just get the benefit for your first 4 kids so that means don't have 5 kids. LoL. Anyway, for this who are not familiar, head on to SSS (Social Security System) website and read about your benefits and the requirements.

I will still post it here.

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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 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 employer if employed, or to the SSS if separated, voluntary or self-employed member.

Is the voluntary or self-employed member also entitled to the maternity benefit?

Yes, A voluntary or a self-employed member 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 per cent of the member’s average daily salary credit multiplied by 60 days for normal delivery or miscarriage, 78 days for caesarean section delivery.

How is the maternity benefit computed?

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

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

3. Identify the six highest monthly salary credits within the 12-month period.
   
   Monthly salary credit means the compensation base for contributions benefits related to the total earnings for the month. Please refer to the table below.

   
   

   Range of Compensation	Monthly Salary Credit
   1,000 - 1,249.99	1,000
   1,250 - 1,749.99	1,500
   1,750 - 2,249.99	2,000
   2,250 - 2,749.99	2,500
   2,750 - 3,249.99	3,000
   3,250 - 3,749.99	3,500
   3,750 - 4,249.99	4,000
   4,250 - 4,749.99	4,500
   4,750 - 5,249.99	5,000
   5,250 - 5,749.99	5,500
   5,750 - 6,249.99	6,000
   6,250 - 6,749.99	6,500
   6,750 - 7,249.99	7,000
   7,250 - 7,749.99	7,500
   7,750 - 8,249.99	8,000
   8,250 - 8,749.99	8,500
   8,750 - 9,249.99	9,000
   9,250 - 9,749.99	9,500
   9,750 - 10,249.99	10,000
   10,250 - 10,749.99	10,500
   10,750 - 11,249.99	11,000
   11,250 - 11,749.99	11,500
   11,750 - 12,249.99	12,000
   12,250 - 12,749.99	12,500
   12,750 - 13,249.99	13,000
   13,250 - 13,749.99	13,500
   13,750 - 14,249.99	14,000
   14,250 - 14,749.99	14,500
   14,750 - O V E R	15,000

4. Add the six highest monthly salary credits to get the total monthly salary credit.

5. Divide the total monthly salary credit by 180 days to get the average daily salary credit. This is equivalent to the daily maternity allowance.

6. Multiply the daily maternity allowance by 60 (for normal delivery or miscarriage) or 78 days (for caesarean section delivery) to get the total amount of maternity benefit.

For example, let us say that an SSS member gives birth in December 2004.

1. The semester of contingency would be from July 2004 to December 2004

2. The 12-month period before the semester of contingency would be from July 2003 to June 2004

3. Let us assume that the six highest monthly salary credits are P15,000 each. Thus, the total monthly salary credit would be P90,000 (P15, 000 x 6).

4. The daily maternity allowance would be P500 (P90,000/180).

5. The total maternity benefit due would be P30, 000 (P500 x 60 days) for normal delivery or P39,000 (P500 x 78) for caesarian cases.

Download Mat 1 here.

How many deliveries are covered under existing laws?

The maternity benefit shall be paid only for the first four (4) deliveries or miscarriages starting May 24, 1997 when the Social Security Act of 1997 (RA8282) took effect.

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 days for normal delivery or miscarriage or 78 days for caesarean delivery within which she has been paid the maternity benefit. As a rule, no member can be entitled to two benefits for the same period.

Is it necessary to notify the SSS of a member's pregnancy?

Yes. As soon as a member becomes pregnant, she must immediately notify her employer (if employed) or the SSS (if separated/voluntary/self-employed) of such pregnancy and the probable date of her childbirth at least 60 days from the date of conception by accomplishing SSS FORM MAT-1 (Maternity Notification Form) and by submitting proof of pregnancy.

The employer must, in turn, notify the SSS through the submission of the maternity notification form and proof of pregnancy immediately after the receipt of the notification from the employee member.

Failure to observe the rule on notification may result to the denial of the maternity claim.

How would the claimant be paid the maternity benefit?

For employed members - the benefit is advanced by the employer to the qualified employee, in full, within 30 days from the date of filing of the maternity leave application. The SSS, in turn, shall immediately reimburse the employer 100 percent of the amount of maternity benefit advanced to the female employee upon receipt of satisfactory proof of such payment and legality thereof.

If the employee member gives birth or suffers miscarriage without the required contributions having been remitted by the employer, or the employer fails to notify the SSS, the employer will be required to pay to the SSS damages equivalent to the benefits the employee would otherwise have been entitled to.

For separated/voluntary/self-employed members - the amount of benefit is paid directly to them by the SSS.

What are the forms and documents needed in filing for maternity benefit?

1. For employed members:

1. SSS Form MAT-1 (Maternity Notification) duly stamped and received by SSS;

2. SSS Form MAT-2 (Maternity Reimbursement);

3. Other documents:

   • Normal delivery - certified true or authenticated copy of 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 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.

   • SSS digitized ID or E-6 acknowledgement stub with two valid IDs, one of which with recent photo.

     
     

   • To ensure receipt of benefits by members authorized company representatives who file maternity benefit claim shall present the members SSS digitized ID or E-6 acknowledgement stub with two valid IDs (at least one with photo). This requirement is in addition to the presentation by the company representative’s own SSS digitized ID and blue-card.

2. For separated members:

1. Items 1a to 1c of required documents for employed members.

2. Certification from last employer showing the effective date of separation from employment or notice of company’s closure/strike or certification from the Department of Labor and Employment that the employee or employer has a pending labor case.

3. Certification that no advance payment was granted (if confinement days applied for are within or prior to separation).

4. SSS digitized ID or E-6 acknowledgement stub with two valid IDs, one of which with recent photo.

3. For self-employed/voluntary members:

1. Items 1A to 1C of required documents for employed members.

2. SSS digitized ID or E-6 acknowledgement stub with two valid IDs, one of which with recent photo.

Where must the member file her application?

1. For employed and separated members - applications may be filed at the SSS branch where the employer and employee records are based.

2. For voluntary/self-employed members - application forms may be filed at any SSS branch nearest the members residence or where her record is based.

Download Mat 2 here.