To apply or claim your SSS Maternity Benefit after giving birth should not be treated as if it’s automatically be granted by Social Security System. Yes, SSS Maternity Benefit is one of the benefits of female SSS member. But chances are, if you fail to prepare and submit the requirements beforehand, your claim may be denied or disapproved.
So there are things you need to do and prepare first several months before you give birth. Also, you have to provide the SSS maternity requirements in order to claim your benefit. If right now, you are wondering on how much you would receive, you may check out this guide How to Compute SSS Maternity Benefit.
Moving on, in order to be assured that your SSS maternity application in the near future shall be approved, here’s what you have to do. You have to notify first the SSS at least 60 days after your confirmed conception.
How to Notify SSS about Pregnancy
If you are currently employed, you have to notify your employer at least 60 days from the date when you found out that you are pregnant. You have to submit the SSS notification requirements to your employer which are the following:
- SSS Maternity Notification Form
- Proof of Pregnancy (Ultrasound Report)
On the other hand, if you are unemployed, self-employed or voluntary member, you need to notify the SSS office directly. Make sure to bring back and secure your SSS Maternity Notification Form since it is a requirement before you can claim your maternity benefit. However, you have to make sure also that you are eligible to apply for a maternity benefit and you are an active member of SSS.
As stated above, failure to notify SSS beforehand about your conception/pregnancy and the estimated date of delivery, it could be a valid ground for your SSS maternity application to be denied by Social Security System.
Maternity Benefit Requirements
These are the requirements you need to comply before you apply or claim your SSS maternity benefit after you gave birth:
- Maternity Notification Form – duly stamped and received by SSS
- Maternity Reimbursement Form
- Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card or SSS Biometric ID Card – in the absence with these IDs, you may provide 2 valid IDs both with your affixed signature wherein at least 1 ID has a photo of you and date of birth.
Additional Requirements for Separated Members
- Certificate of Separation from Employment – this should show the effective date of separation. Alternatively, you may also provide a Notice of Company’s Closure/Strike or Certification from DOLE that the employee or employer has a pending labor case, whichever is applicable.
- Certification that no advance payment was granted prior to separation of employment. This is regarding the SSS maternity benefit.
Required Documents after Delivery to Claim SSS Maternity Benefit
Present the original or certified true copy and submit the photocopy of the following documents, whichever is applicable:
1. For Normal Delivery
- Child’s Birth or Fatal Death Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
2. For Caesarean Delivery
- Child’s Birth or Fatal Death Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.
- Any of the following documents issued by the hospital:
- Operating Room Record
- Surgical Memurandum
- Discharge Summary Report
- Medical/Clinical Abstract
- Delivery Report
- Detailed Invoice showing caesarean delivery charges (if you gave birth abroad)
3. For Miscarriage
- Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancies duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License Number, printed name and signature.
- For Complete Miscarriage, provide any of the following:
- Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage
- Ultrasound report as proof of pregnancy
- Medical Certificate issued by attending physician on the circumstances of pregnancy
- For Incomplete Miscarriage, provide any of the following:
- Certified true copy of hospital or medical records
- Dilation & Curettage (D&C) report
- Histopathological report
- Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage
- Ultrasound report indicating proof of pregnancy
4. For Ectopic Pregnancy
- Obstetrical History indicating the number of pregnancies duly certified by attending physician with his/her Professional Medical License Number, printed name and signature.
- Any of the following documents:
- Certified true copy of hospital or medical records
- Certified true copy of Operating Room Record
- Histopathological Report
- Pregnancy test before and after miscarriage
How to Apply for SSS Maternity Benefit
If you are currently employed, the full amount of your SSS maternity benefit shall be advance by your employer within 30 days from the date of filing of your leave application. Then, after you give birth, you need to submit the requirements above in order for SSS to reimburse the amount to your employer.
On the other hand, if you are a self-employed or voluntary paying member, these are the things you need to do in order to apply for SSS Maternity Benefit:
- Make sure to submit the SSS Notification Requirements beforehand or at least 60 days from the date of confirmed conception. Same goes to employed members, the only difference is you need to notify SSS directly.
- After you gave birth, comply the requirements above and bring those in the SSS Office. Make sure you have asked beforehand if you are eligible to apply for a SSS maternity benefit, this is to avoid false expectation.
- After the SSS received your application and requirements, you shall be notified by them when your application is approved and ready to be claimed.
The verification of status of claim may be made through the SSS Website or contact their call center at 920-6446 to 55 or send an email to member_relations@sss.gov.ph.
Related SSS Guides:
That was the general guide on how to claim or apply for SSS maternity benefit which includes the requirements, procedure and relevant information. Let us know what you think about this in the comment section.
