They say that being a mother is one of the most difficult profession in the world. And yet, many women chose to go for the role and bring a child into this world for them to rear. For first-time moms who are also under the employment, this means temporarily choosing family over work, lasting a few months at the least. This is where the SSS Maternity Benefit comes in.
But having a child is more than just an issue about a parent’s required presence and giving care; commonly the case, it is also a costly endeavor—yes, having a person to call a baby son or daughter is expensive. Never minding the expenses that comes with having a new mouth to feed in the household—with a special formulation for that matter—the hospitalization alone can attest to that fact.
Most companies of today understand the importance of being a mother to a child and the role of mothers play in the society. For something considered noble, companies render their female employees the benefit of a paid maternity leave, which translates to puerperal women employees receiving wages while not actually doing work due to the demand of motherly roles. But only for a certain limited period—60 days at most when paid and, in special cases, with the option to extend but without further pay.
However, is employment maternity leave enough to cover a new mother’s expenses after giving birth?
Depending on the salary, the benefits of a paid maternity leave may be sufficient or insufficient for her household’s newly changing needs.
Fortunately, if in the case that the benefits of a paid maternity leave are not enough, there is also another probable source of income on the mother’s part, granted he was an active paying member of the Philippine-run insurance program, Social Security System—the SSS Maternity Benefit.
See also: SSS Unemployment Benefits
What is an SSS Maternity Benefit?
In a nutshell, the SSS Maternity Benefit is a daily cash allowance which is eligible for female SSS members who, by virtue of giving birth or the mishap of miscarriage, is not able to work.
How is the SSS Maternity Benefit Computed?
According to the SSS Maternity Benefit, a qualifying member is to receive a daily cash allowance that is equivalent to her average daily salary credit as multiplied by the days that is due to the status of childbirth, including miscarriage:
- If normal delivery or miscarried
It would be calculated as the average daily salary credit times 60; where “60” is a constant number that corresponds to the number days that the SSS Maternity Benefit will take effect.
- If caesarean section
Almost similar to the previous, but only has a longer lasting effect of “78 days.” So, this would be tantamount to the average daily salary credit as multiplied by 78.
What are the Conditions to Meet to Qualify for the SSS Maternity Benefit?
There are only three conditions that must be met in order to qualify for the SSS Maternity Benefit, which include:
- The member must have paid at least three contributions within the span of 12 months before the slated date for childbirth or an accidental miscarriage.
- The agency—that is, SSS—must be informed about the pregnancy whether personally or via the employer.
- The SSS member is not on her fifth or later deliveries or miscarriages. The SSS Maternity Benefit is valid only on the first four pregnancies, including miscarriage.
How to Apply for the SSS Maternity Benefit?
- For SSS members who are part of the workforce
Upon validating that she is pregnant, the member must inform her employer about it, ideally at least after 60 days of the date of conception. The information must also include the member’s likely date of childbirth based on the previous data. This can be done via the SSS Maternity Notification Form, with the accompanying proof of pregnancy.
The employer will subsequently act as a conduit to the process by relaying the maternity notification and proof of pregnancy to SSS. This transfer of information can either be done directly over-the-counter at a nearby SSS branch or via online if the employer/member is a registered user.
- For SSS members who are either self-employed, unemployed, or voluntary members
If you fall into this classification in terms of your means for livelihood, you are the sole person responsible about informing SSS of your pregnancy. Do so directly.
*Note: Any delay or failure to inform SSS about your pregnancy in a given time can render your benefit denied.
What are the requirements?
For Notification
- Duly complied Maternity Notification Form
- Unified Multi-purpose ID (UMID) or SSS ID or two valid IDs, at least one bearing your photo and date of birth as well as signatures on both
- Ultrasound report as proof of pregnancy
For Reimbursement
- Duly stamped and received (by SSS) Maternity Notification Form
- Duly complied Maternity Reimbursement Form
- UMID or SSS ID or two valid IDs, at least one bearing your photo and date of birth as well as signatures on both
For Former Employees
- Duly complied Maternity Reimbursement Form
- UMID, SSS, or two valid IDs, at least one bearing your photo and date of birth as well as signatures on both
- Proof of last employment coming from a certification from the employer
- Certification from the Department of Labor and Employment signifying the absence of any possible pending labor case
- Certification depicting that no advance payment was made
For Employed Members
- Duly complied Maternity Notification Form
- UMID or SSS ID or two valid IDs, at least one bearing your photo and date of birth as well as signatures on both
- Ultrasound report as proof of pregnancy
Further Requirements for SSS Maternity Benefits
- Normal Delivery
Authenticated copy of registered birth certificate if the child is born alive. If dead, a registered fetal death certificate.
- Caesarean Delivery
Authenticated copy of registered birth certificate as well as the certified true copy of the operating room record/surgical memorandum.
- Abortion or Miscarriage
Obstetrical history signifying the number of pregnancies as certified by the attending doctor as well as D&C report for incomplete abortion; pregnancy test pre- and post-abortion including age of pregnancy; and hystopath report for complete abortion.
If you have any questions, you may call or text SSS’ 24/7 customer service hotline.