How SSS members who lost their jobs can apply for unemployment benefit

According to Philippine Statistics Authority’s latest Labor Force Survey, unemployment rate hit a record-high of 17.7 percent in April, as economic shutdown due to COVID-19 left 7.3 million Filipino unemployed.

For contributing members who have involuntarily lost their jobs, the Social Security System (SSS) is offering cash aid of up to P20,000 based on their monthly salary credit.

This incentive is in line with Section 14-B of Republic Act No. 11199 or Social Security Act of 2018, which states that members who find themselves involuntarily unemployed are entitled to receive an unemployment benefit.

According to SSS’s brochure guidelines, the cash benefit is given to all employees, including house helpers and overseas Filipino workers both land- and sea-based.

According to SSS public affairs and special events division head Fernando Nicolas, although most jobs lost are due to COVID-19, members can still receive the unemployment aid even if their involuntary separation is not related to the pandemic.

Who can claim the unemployment benefit?

According to the SSS brochure, any employee, house helper and OFW who meet the following requirements are qualified for the benefit:

1. Should not be over 60 years old when involuntarily separated from job, unless an underground or surface mine worker (not over 50) or a racehorse jockey (not over 55).

2. Members who had paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which should be in the 18-month period immediately preceding the month of involuntary separation.

3. Person should not have accepted any unemployment benefit within the last 3 months before the month of involuntary separation.

However, Nicolas noted that members are still qualified to receive unemployment aid even if they already benefited from other cash assistance programs of the government.

Those who lost their jobs due to the authorized grounds for involuntary separation of an employee under Article 298 (283) and 299 (284) of Presidential Decree No. 442 or Labor Code of the Philippines are entitled to the aid.

This includes closure and stoppage of operations, reduction of employees, and if continuing with the job is against the law or can affect the health of the employee.

Also qualified under Article 300 of PD No. 442 are employees who terminated their jobs without advising the employer due to economic downfall, natural or manmade calamity or disaster, among other reasons.

Check the brochure to see the full list.

Meanwhile, employees who have lost their jobs due to serious misconduct, willful disobedience to lawful orders, gross and habitual neglect of duties, fraud or will breach of trust, commission of crime, analogous cases like abandonment, gross inefficiency, and disloyalty are not qualified to receive the benefit.

Nicolas said SSS members who are registered as self-employed cannot avail of the benefit.

What are the requirements in filing for an SSS unemployment benefit?

1. Original photocopy of primary ID cards/ documents

• Unified multi-purpose ID (UMID) card (SSS/GSIS)
• SSS card
• Alien certificate of registration
• Driver’s license
• Firearm registration
• License to own and possess firearms
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance
• Passport
• Permit to carry firearms outside of residence
• Postal identity card
• Seafarer’s identification and record book
• Voter’s ID cards

SSS members can submit an original photocopy of two ID cards or documents with signatures and one with photo.

2. Certification showing date of involuntary separation. This can be claimed at DOLE regional offices and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO). The documents should include the following:

• Notice of termination from employer
• Affidavit of termination of employment

Where and how to file DOLE certification

Workers and OFWs should bring one valid ID, notice of termination, affidavit of termination of employment, and UMID card enrolled as ATM, or UBP Bank card or bank statement with name of member, savings account number and bank branch with address to any of the following that applies.

For employees in the Philippines: DOLE field or provincial office where the company or employer is based

For OFWs: POLO where their employer operates or DOLE field or provincial offices where the OFW resides

How much will you receive?

Nicolas said the displaced employee can claim up to P20,000 or amount same as their one month salary credit.

“Halimbawa, ang isang miyembro ay naghuhulog ng para sa P20,000 monthly salary credit, makakakuha po siya ng ganung halaga,” he said in an interview on GMA Network’s “Unang Hirit.” 

He said the amount will be distributed into two halves in two months.

Claiming the unemployment benefit

According to Nicolas, the unemployment benefit will be received within five days after filing.

The cash benefit will be deposited to the SSS UMID card enrolled as an ATM or to the UBP Card account of the member.

If the member does not have a UMID card account registered in the database, he or she can apply for an initial UMID-ATM card. Those who have a UMID card can apply for a UMID-ATM.

The other option is to apply for a UBP Quick card at UBP kiosks in SSS branches.

Members can also get it through banks under PESONet and non-bank cash pickup. – RC, GMA News