The very first thing most mothers do upon hearing the good news that she will bear a child in the next 9 months is to prepare all the necessary things that their future child will be needing but little did we know that there is one significant thing they need to prepare before giving birth and that is to file their Maternity Benefit in Social Security System.
SSS Maternity Benefit is really helpful for women, working or unemployed since they will be receiving financial assistance that will drastically help them to support their financial needs.
“Am I qualified for the benefit?”
Yes, everyone can be granted the benefit regardless of your employment status as long as you are a member of SSS.
In fact, female employees (married or not) who have given birth, had an ectopic pregnancy, or even a miscarriage can apply for the SSS benefit as long as they meet the necessary qualifications:
1. Should pay at least three-months contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of her childbirth or miscarriage.
2. The female employee should give her employer or the SSS (for employed, voluntary, or members who are already separated from employment) a notice and proof of her pregnancy. The necessary step-by-step guide will be followed upon passing the initial documents
“How can I avail this?”
1. Fill up the SSS Maternity Notification (you may get one on the HR company, download from the SSS website or directly go to any SSS branch)
2. Submit the MAternity Notification form with proof of your pregnancy such as:
- pregnancy test stick
- ultrasound report
- medical certificate from your doctor
We highly recommend to submit an ultrasound report and/or medical certificate.
3. Prepare photocopies of your Unified Multi-Purpose ID card (UMID) or SSS Biometrics ID card and other two other valid IDs with your signature. Ensure that one of your ID should have a photo and date of birth. We highly encourage getting a UMID or SSS ID.
For employed women, your company will process your papers with SSS. Ensure to accomplish the necessary documents 60 days before conception. If not, this would cause rejection to the application.
For self-employed and those who will process directly in SSS branch, make sure you have a copy of the SSS MAternity Notification Form you have filed, duly stamped and received by SSS. Since you will be needing this for your reimbursement of the SSS Maternity Benefit.
“I will process a reimbursement after giving birth, what do I need to present?”
1. Your SSS Maternity Notification Form that was duly stamped and received by SSS.
2. Accomplished SSS Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Form (you may get this directly from any SSS branch or from their website)
3. Photocopies of your UMID and SSS biometrics ID card plus two other valid IDs, both with your signature and at least one with your photo and date of birth.
4. Proof of live birth of your child. For normal deliveries, SSS will be asking for a certified true copy of the registered birth from your local civil registrar (ensure that you will be presenting the one that has original “Certified True Copy” stamp or mark)
You may also present your child’s birth certificate issued by NSO however it might take around two to four months before you get it.
“I gave birth through C-section, what should I present?”
Mothers should present a document that proves you had a C-Section aside from the certified true copy of your child’s birth certificate? You may present the certified true copies of the operating room record, surgical memorandum, discharge summary report, medical clinical abstract, delivery report, or detailed invoice showing C-section delivery charges for those who delivered overseas.
“I had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy?”
Losing a child can be hard, and this is the last thing we want to happen but there are cases that this still occurs. When women sadly experience this, they have to submit an obstetrical history indicating the number of pregnancies you’ve had that was signed by your doctor, and proof of the circumstances of your miscarriage or failed pregnancy.
These include the pregnancy test sticks before and after a miscarriage, ultrasound report as evidence of pregnancy, a medical certificate about the circumstances of your pregnancy, a dilation and curettage (D&C) report; or certified true copies of hospital / medical records, among others.
If it was a stillbirth, you also need to submit a registered death or fetal death certificate.
“How much can I get from this benefit?”
The SSS maternity is equivalent to 100 percent of the member’s average daily salary multiplied by 60 days for normal delivery or miscarriage, or by 78 days for C-section delivery or miscarriage.
Within the 12-month period, add your top six highest contributions to get your total monthly salary credit then divide your total monthly daily maternity allowance and finally multiply your daily maternity allowance by 60 to 78 days to get your total amount.
If you are employed, your company will be paying in advance for their employee’s maternity benefit within 30 days from the filing of the maternity leave application and then Social Security System (SSS) will then reimburse the company.
“I’m self-employed, what is the process?”
You may submit the Maternity Notification form at the nearest SSS branch and also notify SSS about pregnancy online via the website or using SSS-service Information Terminal (SSIT).
After giving birth, you may fill up the Maternity Benefit Application Form and attach a SSS Maternity Notification Form duly stamped and received by SSS, include your certified true copy of registered birth and photocopies of your UMID or SSS biometrics ID card plus other IDs, both with your own signature and at least one with your photo and date of birth.
For members who were separated from their employer, you need to provide a certificate of employment that includes the date of separating and certification of no advanced payment from the last employer.
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