Contributing members of the Social Security System (SSS) will be able to receive unemployment benefits after losing their jobs due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to the SSS, unemployed members include house helpers, seafarers, and overseas workers, and among the conditions indicated include:
- age during unemployment will not be older than 60 years old;
- was able to pay SSS contribution for no less than 36 monthly contributions;
- has not been able to receive unemployment benefit in the last three years prior to the month when separation from job happened
Applicants should also submit the original and photocopy of one of the primary ID cards and documents. Primary IDs may include Passport, Driver’s License, and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance.
SSS Vice President for Public Affairs and Special Events Fernando Nicolas said unemployed members should submit the certificate of involuntary separation from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
He also said that the benefit they will be receiving will be based on their contribution.
“Naka-base iyan sa monthly salary credit na hinuhulugan nila. Kung naghuhulog kayo ng P20,000 monthly salary credit iyan po ang katumbas ng matatanggap niyo (It is based on the monthly salary credit they were paying. If you paid P20,000 monthly salary credit that will be the equivalent of what you will be receiving),” Nicolas said.
SSS also clarified self-employed and SSS voluntary members will not be qualified for the benefit.
The agency is already preparing for the online filing for the applicants of the unemployment benefits. Nicolas advised applicants to wait for the online filing to avoid inconvenience due to limited transportation amid the community quarantine.
“So kung gusto niyo pong huwag munang maabala kasi mahirap ang transportasyon ngayon, huwag po muna kayong mag-file at dito na lang po muna natin gawin sa online (So if you want to avoid inconvenience because transportation will be difficult, don’t file and just do it online),” he said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) previously reported that around 7.3 million lost their jobs due to the pandemic. AAC (with reports from Harlene Delgado)
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