SSS starts online processing of sickness benefit reimbursement applications

Employers may now fill out their Social Security Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications (SBRAs) online, the Social Security System (SSS) announced Monday.

In an emailed statement, the SSS said employers can now file their sickness benefit reimbursement claims through its website www.sss.gov.ph.

To avail of the online facility, employers must have a registered My.SSS account, and must be enrolled in the SSS Sickness and Maternity Benefit Payment Thru-the-Band Program, with a registered bank account in the My.SSS portal.

They must also have an SSS-approved sickness notification from their employees who are entitled to the sickness benefit.

Aside from these, the SSS said employers also need to have a certification that the sickness benefit was paid in advance to their employees, consistent with the approved sickness notification.

"Aside from expediting the processing time of sickness benefit reimbursements by eliminating the transmission of claims from SSS Branches to Processing Centers, this online facility will also reduce face-to-face interactions in our branches," said SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio.

The SSS is mandated to develop, promote, and perfect a sound and viable tax-exempt social security system suitable to the needs of the people.

It is tasked to promote social justice through savings, and ensure meaningful social security protection to members and the beneficiaries against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News