SSS Maternity Benefit : Social Security System

Organization : Republic of the Philippines
Portal : Social Security System (SSS)
Facility : Maternity Benefit
Country : Philippines
Website : https://www.sss.gov.ph/maternity-benefit/

What is SSS Maternity Benefit?

The SSS Maternity Benefit is a daily cash allowance granted to a female member who is unable to work due to childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy (ETP). It is granted to female members in every instance of childbirth, miscarriage, or ETP, regardless of civil status, employment status, legitimacy of child, and frequency of pregnancy.

Who Can Get SSS Maternity Benefit?

A member is qualified to avail of this benefit if she:
** Has paid at least three (3) months of contributions in the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of childbirth, miscarriage, or ETP. In determining the female member’s entitlement to the benefit, the SSS shall only consider those contributions paid prior to the semester of contingency; and
** Has duly notified the employer of her pregnancy and the probable date of her childbirth, if employed. Moreover, the notice shall be transmitted to SSS in accordance with the rules and regulations it may provide; and
** Has duly notified the SSS directly of her pregnancy and the probable date of her childbirth, if a self-employed (SE) or voluntary member (VM), a non-working spouse (NWS), or an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).

How To Apply For SSS Maternity Benefit?

For contingencies that occurred on or after 11 March 2019, or the effectivity date of Republic Act No. (RA) 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (EMLL)

The female member or employer shall be required to submit online the scanned copy of the original (colored) or certified true copy with good image quality of the following supporting documents, whichever is applicable:

For live childbirth (normal or caesarian) – Any of the following:
** Child’s Certificate of Live Birth (CLB)/Certificate of Death (COD) duly registered with the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) with corresponding Official Receipt (OR), or Acknowledgement Receipt (AR) issued by the LCR, if the filing date of MBA/MBRA is within six (6) months from the date of delivery; or
** Child’s CLB/COD issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with corresponding OR or AR if the filing date of MBA/MBRA is beyond six (6) months from the date of delivery; or
** Report of Child’s Birth/Death issued by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate General/PSA, or its equivalent document issued in a foreign country with English translation, if applicable.

For stillbirth or fetal death – Any of the following:
** Certificate of Fetal Death (COFD) duly registered with the LCR with corresponding OR or AR issued by the LCR, if filing date of MBA/MBRA is within six (6) months from the date of delivery; or
** COFD issued by PSA with corresponding OR or AR if filing date of MBA/MBRA is beyond six (6) months from the date of delivery; or
** COFD issued by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General/PSA, or its equivalent document issued in a foreign country with English translation, if applicable.

For miscarriage, emergency termination of pregnancy (ETP), ectopic pregnancy or hydatidiform mole – The following documents shall be required for submission:

Any of the following proofs of pregnancy:
1. Result of pregnancy test duly signed by a physician/municipal health officer; or
2. Result of other diagnostic tests with the corresponding report duly signed by a physician, which may include any of the following:
** Ultrasound;
** Blood Pregnancy test (Beta HCG); or
** Early Pregnancy factor; and

Any of the following proofs of termination of pregnancy duly signed by a physician:
** Pregnancy test result;
** Ultrasound result;
** Histopathological Report; or
** Operating Room Record (ORR); and

Any of the following medical documents duly signed by a physician:
** Medical Certificate;
** Records of Consultation; or
** Clinical Abstract/Discharge Summary

Manner of Benefit Payment

The full payment of maternity benefits shall be advanced by the employer within thirty (30) days from the filing of the maternity leave application. The SSS shall then immediately reimburse the employer of 100% of the amount of SSS maternity benefits advanced to the employee upon receipt of satisfactory proof of such payment and legality thereof.

On the other hand, the SSS shall directly pay the female member whose contingency occurred during employment but who is currently unemployed, temporarily laid off, or whose company is on lock-out or experiencing a labor strike or separated from employment/SE/VM/OFW/NWS.