I have friends from the banking sector who are also owners of businesses as single proprietors, partnerships, or corporations. Just recently, we scheduled a virtual meeting to keep ourselves posted with our personal and business affairs. I was touched when one of them commended SSS’s efforts in launching the online filing of the Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications (SBRA) through the My.SSS portal. My friend said this shortened some of the administrative processes her daughter is currently managing as head of the Human Resource Department.
When we decided to accelerate our digitalization back in 2019, our primary objective is to provide convenience and safety for our members, employers and pensioners, as their welfare remains our top priority. With our ExpreSSS campaign with the tagline: ‘Mas pinadali, mas pinasimple at mas pinabilis,’ we wanted our stakeholders to access our programs and services 24/7, at the comfort of their homes or offices.
Little did we know that our move to shift SSS services from manual to online processes would be extremely become useful during these uncertain times.
As we continue our digitalization campaign, we implemented in July 2020 the online filing of the SBRA. After giving the advance payment to the employee, the employer can now file the sickness benefit claim online, without having to wait for the hard copy of the approved sickness notification and submitting a duly accomplished SBRA form to an SSS branch.
Employers will only have to enroll their bank account through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module in the SSS website as proof of account. Their reimbursement claims will then be credited to the approved account enrolled in DAEM. They, however, need to make sure that only one bank account is enrolled where benefit proceeds will be credited and enroll the same account for use of all company branches and subsidiaries. Keep in mind that the enrolled account by the employer’s authorized personnel shall be considered valid, active, and correct by the SSS. However, claims without an enrolled account are rejected.
To be able to file sickness claim reimbursements online, an employer must have a registered account in the SSS web site (www.sss.gov.ph). Only an SBRA with an approved sickness notification may be filed through the e-services menu of the employer’s account in the SSS website. The employer will then certify that the amount of sickness benefit was advanced to the employee based on the approved sickness notification and in accordance with Section 14 of Republic Act 11199 (or the Social Security Act of 2018). The employer may view the approved SS sickness notification for the employees under the e-service menu of the account in the SSS website. Only SBRA for new or initial claims are allowed to be filed online; claims for adjustments or re-filed claims must still be made over the counter at the SSS branch. Please note that the date of online submission by the employer serves as the date of filing of the SBRA.
Below are steps when filing the SBRA:
1. Log in to the employer’s My.SSS account using the password and User ID, then fill-in the Captcha image and click “I am not a Robot” and submit.
2. Click the E-Services drop down menu and select Submit SS Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application (SBRA).
3. Encode the SSS number of the employee, then select the “Claim Reference Number” button from the list of approved sickness notification (e.g., confinement period, number of days approved). Click “Proceed” to continue.
4. Encode the required additional details. Click the certification box signifying the given information is true and correct and that the amount of sickness benefit was given in advance to the employee. Click “Submit,” then the “Okay” buttons.
5. A message will be displayed on the screen indicating the successful submission of SBRA. This includes the Transaction Reference Number, including the date and time when application was received. Take note of the TRN for any subsequent inquiries. There is also an option to encode reimbursement claims for other employees.
Employers must also make sure that only authorized personnel have access and authority to enroll the disbursement account information through the employer’s account in the SSS web site and that the encoded account information are correct to avoid unsuccessful crediting of sickness/maternity reimbursements. They are also responsible for any undue consequences that may result from misrepresentation on the enrollment of account.
I hope that employers regularly practice their duties and responsibilities as what the SSS Law has mandated. They must be compliant in all aspects and true to their obligation of paying in advance—not only the sickness but also the maternity benefits due to their qualified employees. The technological developments we are implementing are appropriately designed to make things more convenient for all our stakeholders.
I am positive that through our programs and system innovations, we can give our Filipino workers the social security benefits and quality service they truly deserve.
Have a peaceful 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.
2 comments
Hello.
As I have read , I understand the filling can be access thru employer’s portal. May I ask, how about those NO longer connected to the company? Due to this pandemic.
As per checking in Sss under e-services tab, there’s no SBRA field. Any advice?