One of the benefits offered to a SSS member is the SSS Maternity Benefits. It is a benefit provided to help the members who need assistance during or after their pregnancy. This article is about the Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits that will help you understand how the SSS Maternity Benefits work.
Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits
Suppose you are a woman, pregnant, or have suffered from miscarriage or other pregnancy problems. You can receive financial support from SSS through their SSS Maternity Benefits.
Below is a set of information about the Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits that will help and teach you what you need to know and do to file and claim for the SSS maternity benefits successfully.
What is SSS Maternity Benefit
Before you know how to file and claim SSS Maternity Benefits, you first need to understand SSS Maternity Benefits.
SSS Maternity Benefit is a cash benefit given as a daily allowance to female members and unable to work during the term of their pregnancy or due to miscarriage and emergency termination of their pregnancy.
Qualifying Conditions
First in this Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits
The first information in this Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits that you need to know is the qualifying conditions that you should meet before applying for the said benefits. Listed below are the set of qualifying conditions set by SSS
You are qualified to if you meet the following requirements:
- You are entitled to file and claim for the SSS Maternity Benefits if you are a SSS member who, within the twelve (12) month period, was able to pay at least three months of contribution.
- If you are an employed member, you need to notify your employer of your pregnancy to qualify for the sad benefits.
- If you’re an OFW, Self-employed, or a member separated from employment, you need to notify SSS of your pregnancy directly.
Note: You need to remember that according to RA. 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1992, the maternity benefits you receive are limited to the first four deliveries or miscarriages.
Forms, documents, and other Requirements
When filing for SSS Maternity Benefits, you need to know the notification and reimbursement procedure. Still, before we proceed with that, you will first need to know the requirements that you need to prepare and pass for you to be able to file and claim your maternity benefits.
Here is the list of forms and documents that you need to prepare:
For Notification Procedure
You need to have the following requirements for the Notification procedure:
1. SSS Maternity Notification Form
First in the list of requirements that you need to have for the notification procedure is the SSS Maternity Notification Form. You need to fill-up the form with the necessary information.
You can download and print a copy of this form using the link below:
https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SIC_01241.pdf
2. Valid ID’s
You will also need to present or prepare a copy of your valid ids, such as your SSS biometrics card or your UMID cart. Present at least two valid IDs.
*Note: You need to make sure that both IDs have your signature and at least one of those IDs has your Photo and date of birth affixed to it.
Please refer to these links to see the list of Valid Id’s accepted in SSS:
https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=List%20of%20Valid%20Identification%20Cards.pdf
3. Ultrasound Report
The ultrasound report is also needed; it will serve as your proof of pregnancy.
For Reimbursement Procedure
The Requirements for the Reimbursement procedure will depend on whether you are a separate, voluntary, self-employed, or employed member. Here are the necessary forms and documents that you will need when filing for a SSS maternity benefits reimbursement:
Employed Member, Self-employed, and Voluntary Members:
1. Maternity Notification Form of SSS
If you are an Employed, self-employed, or a voluntary member, the first thing that you will need is the Maternity notification form.
2. SSS Maternity Reimbursement Application Form
Aside from the duly stamped SSS Maternity Notification form, you will also need to fill up and submit the Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application Form. Make sure that you fill in the form with the correct information.
You can use the link below to secure a copy of the Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application Form:
https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SIC_01242.pdf
3. Valid ID’s
SSS will also ask you to provide at least two valid IDs. One of the IDs should have your Photo and your birth date in it. Both Ids should have your signature.
Please refer to the link to see if your IDs are considered valid by SSS:
https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=List%20of%20Valid%20Identification%20Cards.pdf
For Separated Members:
1. SSS Maternity Reimbursement Application form
If you are a separated member, you will need an accurately filled up Maternity Reimbursement Application form.
Please refer to this link to get a copy of your reimbursement form:
https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SIC_01242.pdf
2. Certifications
- If you are a separated member, you will need to provide a certification from your last employer that shows the effective date of your separation from employment.
- If the company you’re working for has gone on a strike or closed, you need to present a certification.
- If you have are a separated member who has a pending case, you might need to pass a certification from the Department of Labor and Employment that shows that either you or your employer has a pending case.
- You will also need to pass a certification that shows no advance payment given to you.
3. Valid Ids
SSS will also need to see at least two of your valid Ids. Here is the sample of 4 Government IDs That Are Very Easy to Apply For.
Refer to this link to check the list of IDs that are valid and accepted by SSS:
https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=List%20of%20Valid%20Identification%20Cards.pdf
Additional Requirements
SSS might also ask for additional information or requirements regarding your pregnancy. You can refer to the information below to see what other forms and documents you need to prepare to successfully file for a Maternity Reimbursement.
Bring the following documents, whichever applies to you:
Normal Delivery
Here are the documents you need to prepare if you gave birth through a normal delivery:
1. Birth Certificate
You need to bring your Child’s Birth Certificate, and it needs to be a Certified true copy or an authenticated copy.
2. Fetal Death Certificate
If the child has died or is stillborn, you must present an authenticated copy of their Fetal Death Certificate.
*Note: The certificates that you’ll present need to be duly registered by the LCR or the Local Civil Register in your community.
3. Caesarean Delivery
If you are a member who gave birth via a Caesarean Delivery, here are the additional requirements that you need to prepare:
4. Birth Certificate or Fetal Death Certificate
Present an authenticated copy of your child’s duly registered birth certificate. If your child has died or is stillborn, present a duly registered Fetal death certificate.
5. Other documents issued by the hospital
You will also need to bring any of the following documents that indicate or proves that you underwent a cesarean delivery:
- A Certified True Copy of your Operating room record and surgical memorandum
- A summary report of your discharge
- Any Medical or Clinical Abstract
- A Certified true copy of your Delivery Report
- If you had a cesarean delivery abroad, present a detailed invoice showing your cesarean delivery charges.
Complete and Incomplete Miscarriage
If you are a member who underwent a complete or incomplete miscarriage, you need to present the following:
1. Obstetrical History
You need to pass or present an Obstetrical History that indicates the number of your pregnancies.
*Note: The Obstetrical History that you’ll pass needs to be duly certified by your attending physician, and their printed name and signature together with his Professional Medical License Number needs to be attached.
2. Any of the following documents:
-
- A Certified True Copy of your medical or hospital records
- Your pregnancy tests, before and after your miscarriage happened. A proof of your pregnancy, such as your ultrasound report.
- Medical certificate about the pregnancy issued by your attending physician.
- A report that shows your Dilation and Curettage.
Ectopic Pregnancy
If you are a member who has an Ectopic Pregnancy, these are the requirements that you need to prepare:
1. Obstetrical History
If you are a member who suffered from an Ectopic Pregnancy, the first thing you need is an Obstetrical History. You need to present an Obstetrical History duly certified by your attending physician.
*Note: Your physician needs to attach their printed name and signature along with their Professional Medical License Number on the Obstetrical History.
2. Any of the following documents:
- You need to have a certified copy of your Operational Readiness Review or ORR and other Hospital and Medical Records
- The pregnancy test took before and after your miscarriage.
- Your Histopathological report
The Procedure of Filing for SSS Maternity Benefits
SSS Maternity Benefits has two procedures, the notifying and reimbursement procedure. In this Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits, you will learn to notify SSS of your pregnancy for your maternity claim and adequately process your reimbursement.
SSS Notification Procedure
Notifying SSS of your pregnancy is essential to file and claim your SSS Maternity Benefits successfully. Once you get pregnant, you need to immediately notify your employer if you are employed or if not, you must notify SSS directly of your pregnancy.
Here is how you can notify SSS of your pregnancy:
- First, you need to get a copy of a SSS Maternity notification form. Type in all the necessary information and avoid erasures or any form of an alternation.
- Submit it together with your ultrasound as your proof of pregnancy.
- If you are employed, you need to submit your requirements to your employer. Once they get notified of your pregnancy, they will be the ones forwarding your notification form and proof of pregnancy to SSS.
- If you are self-employed, unemployed, or a voluntary member, you need to notify SSS directly.
Please refer to the link to see the SSS Website
- Submitting SSS Notification Online
If you choose to submit your SSS Maternity Notification online, here is what you need to do:
- First, you need to visit the SSS Website.
You can use this link to go to the website directly:
- Then, you need to log in to your account using your user ID and your password.
- Under the “E-Services,” open the Submit Maternity Notification.
- You need to fill up all the necessary information that is being asked, such as your SS Number, Allocation of your maternity leave credits, and the date you expect to deliver your baby.
- There will be a corresponding button that you can use for other actions that you need to do, such as editing, deleting, or canceling the transaction and adding another name of an employee.
- Scroll down to see the “Submit List” button.
- SSS will issue you a transaction number and/or an acknowledgment page.
- Copy the transaction number or print the acknowledge page.
*Note: Your Maternity benefit application claim might be denied if you fail to notify your employer or SSS of your pregnancy.
SSS Maternity Reimbursement Application Procedure
Now that you are aware of the requirements that you need, filing for SSS Maternity Reimbursement is easy. Here are the steps you need to follow when filing for a SSS Maternity Reimbursement procedure:
- Ready the forms
When filing for reimbursement, you first need to do is ready all the necessary forms. Present your Maternity Notification Form. That is why you must make sure that your notification form has already been stamped and received by SSS.
2. Maternity Reimbursement Form
The next thing you need to do is get a copy of the Maternity Reimbursement Form (This form is downloadable and printable from the SSS Website). Fill up your MBRA form with all the needed information. It is essential to make sure that you avoid alternations or erasure in the form and affix your initials on the alternations or erasures if you have one.
*Note: If you can’t sign the form, you can affix your fingerprint instead. But make sure that you have two witnesses when attaching your fingerprints.
3. Valid ID’s
Prepare and present at least two of your Valid IDs.
4. Submit your form.
You need to submit your form and other supporting documents required to the nearest SSS branch office around you.
Online filing procedure for Maternity Benefits
The Social Security Commission Resolution No. 189-s.2021 took effect last MAY 21, 2021, which makes the filing of Maternity Benefit Application and Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application online through the MY.SSS portal. Because of this resolution, you can file your Maternity benefit and reimbursement application with less hassle.
Here is a step-by-step process on how you can file your claim online:
- Open or login your My.SSS member account using your user ID and password.
- Under the E-Services, click the procedure you want to do.
For example: if you want to apply for the SSS Maternity Benefit, click the submit maternity Benefit Application button.
3. After clicking the button, your screen will show the important reminders. Make sure to read it before proceeding carefully.
4. Type in all the needed information and double-check everything before clicking the proceed button.
5. Once you’re done typing in all the necessary information, click proceed and wait for the SSS to validate your knowledge and confirm your eligibility for the maternity benefits.
6. Fill in additional information like your type of claim.
7. After filling in all the additional information, click proceed. Upload other required documents. Make sure that the papers you’ll upload are transparent and the size of the file does not exceed 2MB.
8. Read the certification portion and make sure you understand it before clicking the “I certify and Submit.”
9. A transaction number will appear on your screen. Make sure to take note of your generated transaction number and details.
10. You will also need to check your registered email because SSS will send you a notification about your MBA.
*Note: You will need to undergo the same process when applying for MBRA.
Claiming Your SSS Maternity Benefits
If you are employed, your employer will be giving you your full maternity benefit. If you are a voluntary member or self-employed, you will benefit directly from SSS.
The SSS Maternity Benefits help its female members during or after their pregnancy. The cash benefit is an excellent financial aid that will help them with their expenses. If you are a female member and pregnant, this Guide in Filing and Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits will help and give you all the necessary information to know when applying for the said benefits.
