The Philippine Social Security System provides benefits to help its members and the member’s beneficiaries. If you are related to a deceased member, the SSS could grant you a cash benefit if you are qualified and as long as you follow and submit all the requirements. Additionally, you need to check and verify your SSS Online Number. Here is a detailed Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Death Benefits. 

Guide in Filling and Claiming SSS Death Benefits

When it comes to the guide in filing and claiming SSS death benefits, the first thing that you, as a claimant, need to know is whether you are a primary or secondary beneficiary. Aside from that, these are the 8 SSS benefits that are available for them. You could file a claim if you belong to the following category: 

Primary Beneficiaries

You are considered as a primary beneficiary if you belong to the following category:

1. If you are a legitimate dependent spouse until you remarry.
2. If you are a dependent child. A fair or legally adopted child. 
3. If you are illegitimate, you still belong to the primary beneficiary below 21 years old.

Secondary Beneficiaries

You are categorized as the secondary beneficiary if you belong to the following:

1. You are the dependent parent/s of the deceased member.
2. Suppose you are a designated secondary beneficiary. (You must be dependent on the deceased member at the time of their death.) 

*Note:

If the deceased member is unmarried and has no children, the benefits will be given to their dependent parents. 

Designated Beneficiaries

The member could also indicate or assign their designated member. If you are a designated beneficiary, you could file a claim if your name is included in all the deceased member’s SSS records.

Legal Heirs

According to the Family Code of the Philippines, a legal heir could also file and claim the deceased member’s death benefits.

Types of SSS Death Benefits Paid to the Beneficiaries

Next in this guide in filling and claiming SSS death benefits is knowing how the deceased member’s death benefits could be given to the beneficiaries. 

It could be given to you by: 

• Monthly Pension

A lifetime cash benefit every month to the beneficiary of a member who could pay at least 36 contributions before the semester of death. 

• Lump-Sum Amount

Lump-sum is a single payment given to the beneficiary of a member who could only pay less than 36 months on their monthly contribution. 

Primary Forms and Documentary Requirements

Before you can start filing and claiming the deceased member’s death benefits, you first need to know and prepare the necessary documents and forms that are necessary.

Here is the list of forms and documents that you will need:

1. Death Claim Application

You will need to fill up the death claim application form, both parts 1 and 2. It would help if you made sure that there is no erasures or alterations when you are filling up this form 

You can refer to this link to print or download your Death Claim Application form: 

https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SSSForm_Death_Claim.pdf

2. Sinumpaang Salaysay ( Filer’s Affidavit)

You will also be asked to submit your Sinumpaang Salaysay. Make sure that the information you’ll provide on your affidavit is accurate. 

You can use the link below to get or print a copy of the “Sinumpaang Salaysay” form:

https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SSSForms_Sinumpaang_Salaysay.pdf

3. SSS Form CLD- 1.3 A

If you belong to the secondary beneficiary, you will be asked to fill up and submit your Affidavit of Death Benefit Claim or the SSS Form CLD- 1.3 A. 

Here’s a link you could use to print or download the said form: 

https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SSSForm_Affidavit_Death_Claim_Benefits.pdf

4. Death Certificate

One of the documents needed when filing for a Death Benefit claim is the death certificate of the deceased member. The Philippine Statistic Authority must issue the death certificate registered in the Local Civil Registry. 

Note: If the deceased member has died abroad, you should provide a death certificate issued by the Vital Statistic office/ County of the Host or Report of Death issued by the Philippine Embassy.

5. Single Savings Account

You will also need to have a single savings account such as Passbook, ATM card with your name and account number, a validated initial deposit slip, or UMID card enrolled as ATM, etc. 

6. Identification Card

As a claimant, you need to present or submit a copy of your identification card. 

7. Supporting Documents

For a much clearer picture of what documents or supporting documents, you need to prepare, here is a breakdown list of what you might need to prepare to file and claim the SSS Death Benefits successfully.

• For Primary Beneficiaries:

If you belong to the primary beneficiaries, here are the supporting documents you need to submit:

1. The death and marriage certificate of the deceased members
2. The birth certificate of the deceased member. 
3. Baptismal Certificate of the Dependent Child
4. Birth Certificate of the Dependent Child
5. Single Savings Account, either Passbook or ATM

• For Secondary Beneficiaries:

You will need these documents if you are a Secondary Beneficiary:

1. The Death Certificate of the Deceased Member
2. Marriage certificate of the parents of the deceased. (If the secondary beneficiary are the parents)
3. The Deceased member’s Birth Certificate
4. CENOMAR of the deceased member. 

• For Designated Beneficiaries:

If you are a designated member, here are the needed documents:

1. Your Birth Certificate 
2. Marriage Certificate (If you are married)
3. CENOMAR and Birth Certificate of the deceased (If they are single)
4. Death Certificate of the deceased member parent’s (If they are single)
5. If the deceased member is a widow/widower, present the death certificate of their spouse.

• For Legal Heirs Beneficiaries:

These are the documents you will need if you belong to the Legal Heir Beneficiaries:

1. Your Birth Certificate 
2. If the deceased member is single, present their birth certificate and CENOMAR
3. Present the death certificate of the deceased member’s spouse if he/she is a widow/widower. 
4. If the deceased member is single, present, and submits the death certificate of their parents

How to File for SSS Death Benefits

The next important thing about the guide in filing and claiming SSS death benefits is knowing how to file one. Here is the step-by-step process on how to file your claim for the death benefits:

1. Fill up the Death Claim Application Form

You need to fill up parts I and II of the Death Claim Application Form. It is essential that you accurately fill this form and ensure no alterations or erasures. You can always reprint your copy if you 

2. Prepare the supporting documents

Aside from the form, you would also need to prepare the other documents that will support your claim, such as:

• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate of the deceased member (If married)
• Death Certificate of the deceased member (If the deceased member died abroad, make sure that their death certificate is duly registered with the Vital Statistic Office of the country where they died.)
• Baptismal certificate

*Note: The certificate mentioned above should be an original duplicate or is a certified valid copy/photocopy. They should register with National Statistic Office or the Local Civil Register, and the Baptismal Certificate, it should be recorded in the church/parish

3. Single Savings Account

Submit a photocopy of your single savings account (ATM or Passbook).

*Note: It would also be essential to bring the original copy because they might ask you to present it. 

4. Attach Photo

You will also need to attach your most recent 1×1 photo.

5. Affix your fingerprints

On your application form, look for the portions that are for affixing your fingerprints. Only the right index and right thumb fingers must be attached. 

*Note: If you cannot sign the form, two witnesses should be affixing the fingerprints. One of the two witnesses should be an employee of SSS.  

6. Present Social Security Card and Identification Card 

You should also present your SS Card or the SS Form E-6 Acknowledgement Stub with your other documents. You also need to submit a photocopy of your two valid IDs, and at least one of your identification cards should have a photo. 

7. Wait for the approval.

After submitting all the necessary documents and requirements, the last step would be waiting for the approval of your claims. The SSS will inform you when they approve your claim and when you can claim them. 

The waiting time would vary; some only wait for a few days or weeks, but in some cases, it could take more or less up to ninety (90) days. 

Filing and claiming SSS Death benefits is not as hard as you think, especially if you know what you need to prepare and do. Provided above is information that could serve as your detailed Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Death Benefits. The information above will help you know what documents you need to prepare and submit and the proper way to file your sss death benefits claim.