SSS Unemployment Benefits: Meaning, Requirements & How to Apply

During the COVID pandemic, many businesses were forced to shut down due to lockdowns and restrictions, which resulted in people losing their jobs. The good news is that the Philippine government has launched the SSS unemployment benefits since 2018. It helps unemployed citizens to survive a difficult time. Here we are going to talk about SSS unemployment benefits and how you can benefit from it. 

What is Unemployment?

Unemployment means when someone does not have a job and is looking for a job but can not find one. It is a key measure of the health of an economy. When the unemployment rate is high, it may signal distress in the economy, whereas when the unemployment rate is low, the economy is strong.

Unemployment can be divided into 2 types: voluntary and involuntary unemployment. Voluntary unemployment means that a person leaves his job position willingly. On the contrary, involuntary unemployment means that a person is fired and can not maintain his current job position.

What Is the SSS Unemployment Benefits Program?

SSS stands for Social Security System. It is a system established by the government in 1957, which protects people who suffer from the financial impact of losing their jobs due to sickness, disability, maternity, and retirement among others. It is mandatory for employees, employers and self-employers to register with the SSS. Every member has to contribute a portion of their salary to the system based on their income every month. Employers have to bear a part of the contribution of their employees according to the law.

The SSS unemployment benefits program, also called Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefit, is an addition to the original SSS benefits, which provides cash assistance to members who have been involuntarily separated from their employment, including household employees and overseas Filipino workers.

How Much Will I Get from Unemployment Benefits?

If you are a qualified member of the program, you will get a cash benefit which is 50% of your average monthly salary credits (AMSC) for a maximum of 2 months.

Please refer to the formula below:

unemployment benefits = average monthly salary credits × 50% × 2 months

For example, if your AMSC is worth PHP 20,000 per month, your total amount of benefits will be:

20,000 × 50% × 2 = PHP 20,000

To find out your AMSC, you can use the below 2 ways to calculate:

1. AMSC amount = the sum of your last 60 monthly salary credits (MSC) ÷ 60
2. AMSC amount = the sum of all MSC ÷ the number of the monthly contribution paid

Both the MSC and monthly contribution calculated should be before the semester of contingency.

Application for unemployment benefits should be done within a year from the date you leave your previous job. For example, if you left your job on January 1st, 2024, you have to apply for your unemployment benefits before the date of January 1st, 2025 to claim the money.

Who Is Eligible for SSS Unemployment Benefits?

The criteria for SSS unemployment benefits are similar to other SSS benefits. You are eligible for the SSS unemployment benefits if you meet the following qualification requirements:

• You must be under the age of 60 when you leave your job. However, there are exceptions. For underground or surface mine workers, the age limit is under the age of 50. For racehorse jockeys, you should be no more than 55 years old.
• You have to pay at least 3 years (36 months) worth of the SSS contributions. 1 year (12 months) of them should be paid within 18 months prior to the month of your unemployment.
• You have not claimed SSS unemployment benefits within the last 3 years. The SSS unemployment benefits can only be applied once every 3 years. If you have already received the benefits in the last 3 years, you are not eligible to apply for another.
• You are separated from your work for a valid reason as follows:
  • Authorized causes for termination of employees under Articles 298 (283) and 299 (284) of P.D. No.442 (the Labor Code of the Philippines):
    • Installation of labor-saving devices
    • Redundancy
    • Retrenchment of downsizing
    • Closure or cessation of operation
    • The employee has a disease or illness prohibited by law or will affect his co-employees’ health.
  • Authorized causes that allow employees to quit without notice under Articles 300 (285) of P.D. No.442 (Labor Code of the Philippines):
    • Serious insult by the employer or his representative which results in damage to reputation and the employee himself. 
    • Inhuman an unbearable treatment accorded the employee by the employer or his/her representative
    • The employer or his/her representative has committed a crime or offense against the employee or any of his/her immediate family members.
  • Other causes for separation of work:
    • Economic downturn
    • Natural or human-induced calamities/disasters
    • Other cases to be determined by the SSS or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

SSS Unemployment Benefit Requirements

Although the requirements for SSS unemployment benefits are very simple, it is necessary to prepare all the documents needed beforehand.

Here is the list of requirements:

1. Valid ID

At least 1 of the following valid IDs should be presented in both original and photocopy.

• UMID Card (Unified Multi-Purpose ID)
• SS Card 
• Driver’s license
• Passport
• Postal ID
• Voter’s ID
• NBI Clearance
• Alien certificate of registration
• Firearm registration
• License to own and possess firearms
• Permit to carry a firearm outside of the residence
• Seafarer’s ID and record book

If none of the above IDs are available for you at hand, you can bring 2 IDs, which are not included on the list, that show your photo and signature.

2. DOLE certification

It is also called the Certificate of Involuntary Separation. You need to get a certificate that recognizes the nature and date of your separation from the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment).

Here is what you need to get the certificate:

• Original and photocopy of 2 valid IDs
• Either a Termination Contract issued by your employer or an Affidavit of Termination of Employment. The latter is preferred in case you did not end well with your former employer.
• Certification form from DOLE

3. Payment account

If you are approved for unemployment benefits, you need to receive the benefits through a payment account. Any of the below payment channels are enrolled with the SSS:

• UMID card enrolled as an ATM
• UBP（Union Bank of the Philippines）Quick Card
• SSS-enrolled Bank Account
• Electronic Wallet such as PayMaya
• Pick-up arrangements with remittance transfer companies (RTCs)

How to Apply for SSS Unemployment Benefits

Application for SSS unemployment benefits is available online. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to the SSS official website below and click “MEMBER”on Republic of the Philippines Social Security System (sss.gov.ph)

Step 2. Log in to your SSS member account and select “Apply for Unemployment Benefit”  under the E-service tab.

Step 3. Complete an application form, providing your bank details, mailing address, contact number and other related information.

Step 4. You will see a certification after you fill out the form. Tap “Submit” and proceed with the application.

Step 5. There will be an e-mail notification from the SSS. After you receive the notification, you need to reply with attached scanned images of the following documents:

• DOLE Certificate
• Notice of termination from employer or Affidavit of termination from employment

Be careful with the file size requirement by the SSS and make sure your scanned images are compliant.

The SSS will confirm your replying message by e-mail and start processing your application. Remember to save your ticket number.

Step 6. Finally, you will receive the benefits through the payment account you enrolled with the SSS in about 5 to 10 working days.

Who Are NOT Qualified to SSS Unemployment Benefits?

Not everyone is qualified to get an SSS unemployment benefit. If you lose your job due to the following reasons which are under Article 297 (282) of the Labor Code of the Philippines, you can be rejected:

• Serious misconduct
• Wilful disobedience to lawful orders
• Gross and habitual neglect of duties
• Fraud and willful breach of trust/loss of confidence
• Commission of a crime
• Similar cases like abandonment, gross inefficiency, conflict of interest or dishonesty

FAQ

📌How to check the SSS Unemployment Benefit application status?

You can check your status by sending an e-mail to member_relations@sss.gov.ph. The SSS number and reference number of your application should be included in your e-mail.

📌How long will I receive SSS unemployment benefits?

You will receive your benefits in about 5 to 10 working days from the date of application.

📌Is the SSS Unemployment Benefit a loan?

No. The benefit is not a loan. That is why an existing loan with the SSS will not affect your eligibility for the unemployment benefit.

📌How much is the SSS contribution for the unemployed?

The SSS has set up a corpus fund of Php 660 million for SSS unemployment insurance.

📌How many times can I file for a benefit claim?

You can file for the SSS unemployment benefit once every 3 years.

📌Why is my application for SSS Unemployment Benefits rejected?

You can be rejected for any requirements you do not meet. For example, if you have claimed an unemployment benefit within 3 years, your application will be rejected because you are not eligible to apply.

Conclusion

Getting laid off from work can be a difficult experience, especially for people who are financially responsible for their families. Fortunately, qualified SSS members are entitled to unemployment benefits. In this article, we have introduced the SSS unemployment benefits and walked you through the requirements and process for getting the benefits. Hope it helps you to get through a hard time.