SSS members who lost jobs can get up to P20,000 aid

MANILA, Philippines — Contributing members of the Social Security System (SSS) who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic can get as much as P20,000 in cash benefit.

SSS Public Affairs and Special Events Division head Fernando Nicolas said Tuesday a member only needs to present a certification of “involuntary separation” from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and a savings account in order to avail of the assistance.

The cash benefit will be based on the members’ monthly salary credit.

“Up to 20,000 o katumbas po ito ng one month salary credit. Halimbawa, ang isang miyembro ay naghuhulog ng para sa P20,000 monthly salary credit, makakakuha po siya ng ganung halaga,” Nicolas said in an interview on GMA Network’s Unang Hirit.

(They can get up to P20,000 or equivalent to one-month salary credit. For example, they are contributing for a P20,000 monthly salary credit, they will get that same amount.)

The cash benefit, which is likewise called “unemployment benefit,” will be received within five days from application at SSS.

SSS members can still receive the said benefit even if they have received other cash assistance from other programs of the government, according to Nicolas.

Only members who are registered as self-employed are not qualified for the benefit, he added.

Nicolas likewise said overseas Filipino workers can get their certification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Office (POLO), instead of DOLE, to avail of the SSS benefit.

KGA