Millions all over the world celebrated Mother’s Day last Sunday. It is a day when families get together to honor the mothers in their lives. While we should be thankful for our mothers every day, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show our moms how much we love and appreciate them.
As a mother myself, raising my kids is one of my greatest joys and achievements in life—a 24/7 lifetime job. I remember those sleepless nights when they were still infants and very dependent on us their parents to cater to their every needs. It was wonderful to watch them during their growing-up years as they sought out and developed their own unique personalities and fulfilled their dreams. As they reached adulthood and became independent, it was so heart-warming to see them succeed in their personal and professional lives.
Much like SSS in terms of catering to our member’s needs, transactions that were previously conducted manually and with face-to-face meetings, have now shifted to online transactions. Our ExpreSSS campaign is envisioned as fast, easy, and simpler means of transacting with SSS, which is open 24/7 at the convenience and safety of their homes and offices.
For this column, I would like to share the good news that effective May 31, 2021, the filing of Maternity Benefit Application and Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application (MBRA) can now be done online through the My.SSS portal in the SSS web site. MBA covers all female self-employed, voluntary members, overseas Filipino workers and non-working spouse; as well as female members who are separated from employment and did not receive any advance payment of maternity benefit from their employers. On the other hand, MBRA covers regular and household employers.
To be able to apply online, the member must have a registered My.SSS account in the SSS web site and disbursement account enrolled through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module, which is also found in the My.SSS portal of the SSS web site.
Here’s the step-by-step guide:
1. All initial or new claims and the following cases for adjustment shall be filed online through the member’s or employer’s My.SSS:
a. Member is qualified as Solo Parent;
b. Correction of type of claim:
a. From normal to caesarean delivery;
b. From miscarriage to Ectopic Pregnancy with Operation;
c. SS computation is higher than employer’s computation;
d. Additional posted contributions will increase the amount of maternity benefit;
e. Correction of approved number of days from 60 (normal delivery) or 78 (caesarian section delivery) days to 105 days; and
f. Allocated leave credits not used due to separation from employment of the child’s father or qualified alternate caregiver.
2. Filing of MBA/MBRA over-the-counter or through drop-box at any SSS Branch Office (BO)/Foreign Representative Office (FRO)/Medical Evaluation Center (MEC) shall be allowed until the implementation of mandatory online filing. Simultaneous filing of MBA/MBRA through OTC/drop box and online through the My.SSS portal in the SSS web site is strictly prohibited.
3. The filer shall upload the required supporting document/s corresponding to the type of claim being filed to proceed with the submission of the MBA/MBRA. Uploaded documents shall be reviewed by the SSS.
4. The receipt of the advance payment shall be confirmed/certified by the employee within seven working days from the date of sending of e-mail by SSS. In case member confirmed that she did not receive the advance payment or failed to act within the prescribed period, the MBRA shall be rejected. Rejected claims shall be re-submitted/re-filed by the employer as a new transaction.
5. Confirmation/certification of receipt of advance payment by the employee for the MBRA filed by her employer shall be submitted through any of the following channels: a. Link provided in the e-mail notification sent by SSS; or b. Employee’s My.SSS account in the SSS web site.
6. Confirmation/certification of employee shall not be required for claims tagged as separated, Absence without Official Leave (AWOL) and deceased member.
7. The filing date of the claim shall be as follows: a. For MBA—the date of successful submission of the claim; and b. For MBRA—the date of confirmation/certification of the employee or the date of successful submission of the claim if the employee is already separated/Absence without Official Leave (AWOL) or deceased.
8. Claim that has been previously submitted but was not acceptable based on SSS evaluation may be re-filed online by member/employer upon compliance with the SSS requirements as a new transaction.
9. An e-mail notification shall be sent to the member/employer for the following cases:
a. For MBA: Successful submission through the member’s My.SSS account in the SSS web site; and Approval/rejection/denial of the MBA.
b. For MBRA: Successful submission through the employer’s My.SSS account in the SSS web site; Successful submission of the confirmation of the employee; Reminder to employer; Failure to confirm the receipt of advance payment by the employee; and Approval/rejection/denial of the MBRA.
10. The following maternity claims exempted from online filing shall be submitted OTC or through drop box at any SSS BO/FRO: a. Denied claim reconsidered for payment; b. Unclaimed benefit of deceased member; and c. Unclaimed reimbursement of inactive/closed/terminated/retired employer.
Members must take note that the last day of the option to file the MBA/MBRA through OTC/drop box at any SSS branch is until August 31. Effective September 1, 2021, the mandatory online filing of MBA/MBRA will be implemented.
We are counting on you, our members and employers, for the success of this program.
Have a joyous week 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
How long will it take for the MatBen to be creditied in the disbursement account?