MORE than P84 million worth of unemployment benefits has been released two months after the implementation of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.
According to Social Security System President Aurora C. Ignacio, the pension fund was able to provide financial assistance to at least 6,900 members of the SSS who were involuntarily separated from the work force.
“We are now seeing the fruits of labor of our lawmakers, stakeholders and SSS representatives who have crafted [RA 11199],” Ignacio said. “We are able to provide cash benefits to the qualified members who needed the SSS the most when they unexpectedly lost their jobs.”
Makati Gil-Puyat Branch approved the highest number of unemployment benefit applications at 943 amounting to P13.76-million worth of disbursement. This was followed by Bacoor Branch with 876 applications received amounting to P8.98 million releases; Biñan Branch with 833 approved applications amounting to P9.74 million benefit paid; and Pasig-Pioneer and Cebu Branches, both with 437 approved applications with disbursements amounting to P6.10 million and P5.16 million, respectively.
The SSS unemployment benefit is one of the features of the Social Security Act of 2018 that seeks to provide a cash benefit equivalent to half of the member’s average monthly salary credit for a maximum of two months.
“SSS members who were
involuntarily separated from work starting March 5, 2019, onward can avail the
unemployment
benefit,” Ignacio added.
To qualify for unemployment benefit, members must not exceed 60 years old at the time of involuntary separation. But for underground and surface mine workers, and racehorse jockey members, they must not exceed 50 and 55 years old, respectively.
Member-applicant must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions wherein 12 months of it should have been paid within the 18-month period before the month of involuntary separation.
Involuntary separation includes installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment, closure or cessation of operation, and disease or illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his or her co-employees’ health.
Applicants must submit a DOLE-issued certification establishing the nature and date of involuntary separation, as well as a Notice of Termination from the employer or an Affidavit of Termination of Employment.
Applicants must present an original and photocopy of one primary ID card or document, or in the absence of which, any two ID cards or documents, both with signature and at least one with photo at any SSS local branch or foreign office.
Unemployment benefit application
should be submitted within a year from the date of the involuntary separation.
Applicants can only claim the said benefit once every three years starting from
the date of separation from
work.
1 comment
Haw to get unemployment sss financial