A few weeks ago, a series of strong typhoons hit our country, disrupting the lives of many Filipinos. Who will forget the devastation brought about by Typhoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses? It was a very traumatic experience for those affected by these natural calamities.
If you watch the news or go through social-media posts, you could see the aftermath of these typhoons and their destructive effects. While watching the evening news, my heart grieved for a middle-aged man interviewed by a TV reporter. He lost his property in Bicol, which he built in the last 15 years by working overseas. Truly, it is tragic. Seeing him cry was heartbreaking, yet he was still very thankful that he is alive even though he lost all his material possessions.
Amid these trying times, it is heartwarming to see the collective efforts of the government, private sector, local and international humanitarian organizations, among others, helping the victims. I have even come across social-media posts such as fund-raising campaigns; relief operations; individuals selling food, clothes, and other items wherein the proceeds would be donated; and many more selfless acts aimed to provide assistance to the typhoon victims.
For this column, I would like to discuss Social Security System (SSS) programs that are currently being offered to members and pensioners with the objective of helping them through these difficult times.
On November 27, the SSS opened its Calamity Assistance Package, which includes three programs for members and pensioners in areas under the State of Calamity as declared and may be declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) due to Supertyphoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses.
These programs are the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and Three-month Advance Pension, which will be open for applications until February 26, 2021; and Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan, which will be open for one year from the issuance of its corresponding circular.
The CLAP is a separate loan window from the regular salary loan. Under the program, qualified members may avail themselves of a loan equivalent to the average of their last 12 monthly salary credits. It has an interest rate of 10 percent per annum, a 1 percent penalty rate for late payments, no service fee, and is payable in two years in equal monthly installments.
To qualify for the CLAP, a member must have a My.SSS account; have at least 36 monthly contributions, six of which should be posted within the last 12 months prior to the month of application; be a resident of an NDRRMC-declared calamity area and suffered damage/loss to property due to Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses; have not been granted any final SSS benefit; and have no outstanding loans under the Loan Restructuring Program or previous CLAPs.
Members who would like to avail themselves of the CLAP must file their applications through the My.SSS web portal at www.sss.gov.ph.
The Three-month Advance Pension, on the other hand, is a program for existing SS retiree, disability and survivor pensioners, and Employees’ Compensation disability and survivor pensioners who are residents of NDRRMC-declared calamity areas due to the said typhoons. Those, however, with existing pension loans are not qualified to avail themselves of the program.
Pensioners who would like to receive three months of their
pensions in advance can apply for the program at any SSS branch. To apply, they must submit an accomplished Application for Assistance Due to Calamity/Disaster form. The form is available at any SSS branch, or they can download it online at https://bit.ly/365aSWw.
Their Barangay Chairman must fill out the Part II of the form; however, they can use as an alternative a certification that they were affected by the calamity from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or NDRRMC.
Meanwhile, SSS members who are currently employed, self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members, who are residents of an NDRRMC-declared calamity area and whose house was destroyed or damaged due to Typhoons Rolly, Quinta, and Ulysses may apply for a Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan.
To qualify, the member must have at least 24 monthly contributions, three of which were posted within the last 12 months prior to the month of application; not more than 60 years old at the time of application; have not been previously granted a Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan; have not been granted any final benefit nor refunded SSS contribution; and he/she and his/her spouse, if applicable, must be up to date in the payment of all other existing loan/s with the SSS.
Under the program, they may avail themselves of a loan of up to P1 million. The program has an annual interest rate of 8 percent for loans of up to P450,000, or 9 percent for loans over P450,000; a penalty rate of 1.5 percent of the amount due for every month of delay or a fraction thereof until updated or fully paid, while the processing fee for the loan was waived by the SSS.
A qualified member may opt to pay the loan in five, 10, 15, or 20 years, subject to the economic life of the house or improvement, as determined by the SSS, taking into account the member’s age.
Applications for the Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan must be filed at the Member Loans Department in the SSS Main Office (for NCR), or at Housing and Acquired Asset Management Sections in SSS Baguio, Tarlac, San Pablo, and Naga (for Non-NCR).
As of this writing, the entire Luzon Island Group is under the State of Calamity. However, should the NDRRMC declare other areas under the State of Calamity due to Typhoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses, members and pensioners in those areas will also be covered by the SSS’ Calamity Assistance Package.
I remember the quote of Robert Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.” True enough, SSS is always here to help our members and pensioners.
On that note, allow me to end my column by inviting you to follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System” to keep yourselves updated on our various programs.
A blessed day ahead!
Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.
We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss.gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.
1 comment
If you cannot give the P1000 increase for all SSS pensioners, kindly prioritize
those who are 80 and above because they need it most.