SSS Unemployment Benefit
There is nothing as scary as losing your job without warning, even more so if you are the bread winner in the family. Unfortunately, this is the reality for most Filipinos who depend on employment as their sole source of income.
But thanks to the SSS unemployment benefit, one of the key provisions of Republic Law 11199 (also known as the 2018 Social Security Act), Filipino employees who have laid off their jobs can afford a temporary source of income to keep things afloat. Swimming I am looking for a new job.
What is the SSS unemployment benefit?
Unemployment insurance or involuntary separation benefit (unemployment benefit) is a cash benefit awarded to covered employees, including Kasambahays and Filipino Foreign Workers (OFW) who are involuntarily separated from employment.
The unemployment benefit is intended to provide financial assistance to involuntarily separated members who can help them find alternative employment.
Eligibility:
a. Although not more than sixty (60) years of age at the time of involuntary separation; In the case of an underground or surface miner worker who is not more than fifty (50) years of age; In the case of a race horse rider, who is not more than 55 years old.
b. You have paid at least thirty-six (36) monthly contributions, and the eighteen (18) month period immediately prior to the month of involuntary separation must be twelve (12) months;
c. That no unemployment benefit has been settled in the last three (3) years prior to the date of involuntary separation; and
d. You are involuntarily separated from employment for any reason, but are not limited to:
Installation of labor saving devices;
Redundancy;
Prevention or reduction of size;
Closure or cessation of operation; or
Illness / illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is detrimental to the health of their coworkers.
Requirements:
Original and photocopy of any one (1) of the following major identity cards / identification documents (to be authenticated against the original):
Multipurpose Unified Identity Card (UMID) (SSS / GSIS)
SS card
Alien registration certificate
Driver's license
Firearms Registry
License to possess firearms and possession
Authorization from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
Passport
Permission to make a firearm outside the residence
Job ID card
Marine identification and log book
Voter ID card
In the absence of any of the above, original and photocopy of two (2) documents / identity documents, to be signed and at least one (1) photograph.
In the absence of any of the above, original and photocopy of two (2) identification cards / documents to sign and at least one (1) photo.
Certificate establishing the nature and date of the involuntary separation of DOLE through its Philippine regional offices and work abroad offices (POLO)
How To Apply
Due to the enhanced quarantine, members are unable to go to their nearest SSS branches to apply for this benefit. According to SSS, they are working on an online filing system to make it easier for members to apply. However, due to the limited workforce, the agency has not yet displaced the number of displaced workers, but promised to launch the online filing system by the end of April.