SSS releases P2 billion sickness benefits since July 2020

MANILA, Philippines — State-owned Social Security System (SSS) has released nearly P2 billion in sickness benefits to cover about 240,000 applications filed online by employers.

SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio said the agency released P1.75 billion to pay for 239,995 sickness benefit reimbursement applications (SBRAs) from July 2020 to June 2021.

“Using our electronic services like SBRA is a good indication that employers are aware of their employee’s right to social security, specifically in availing their sickness benefits,” Ignacio said.

The SSS in July 2020 enforced the mandatory online filing of SBRAs for employers through the My.SSS portal to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of service while the country is still under various quarantine restrictions.

Employers need to open an account at the My.SSS portal and enroll a savings account number at the disbursement account enrollment module.

Only sickness applications for new or initial claims with approved notification shall be filed at the e-services menu of the employer’s account, according to the SSS.

Employers must also certify the amount of sickness benefit extended to an employee based on the approved notification under the law.

Ignacio also reminded employers that the SSS has extended the deadline for submitting SBRAs for illnesses and injuries acquired on March 1, 2020 onward. As such, they are allowed to apply for sickness claims until after 60 days from the lifting of quarantine restrictions.