There are times when workers encounter accidents or become totally sick, leading to their disability and making them unable to go about their normal lives. Sometimes, even their savings are not enough to cover the expenses not just for the hospitalization but also for things they need on their road to recovery and a new life.
For today’s column, I am going to talk about the SSS Disability Benefit Program.
SSS adopts the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of disability as “any restriction or lack [resulting from impairment] of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”
Disability Benefit is a cash benefit granted—either as a monthly pension or a lump sum amount—to a member who becomes permanently disabled, either partially or totally.
A member who suffers from partial or total permanent disability, with at least one month contribution paid to the SSS prior to the semester of contingency, may qualify for this benefit. However, to qualify for a monthly disability pension, he/she must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of disability. If with less than 36 monthly contributions, he/she is granted a lumpsum amount.
In filing for the benefit, a claimant needs to submit the following:
1. Disability Claim Application (DisCA) Form.
2. Photo and Signature Form (for initial claims only).
3. SSS Medical Certificate Form accomplished by attending physician within six months from the date of filing.
4. Supporting Medical Records (certified true copy).
5. SSS Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) Card or any valid IDs (one with photo and both with signatures).
Partial permanent disability is considered for the loss of the following body parts:
- One thumb.
- One index finger.
- One middle finger.
- One ring finger.
- One little finger.
- One hand.
- One arm.
- One foot.
- One leg.
- Both ears.
- Hearing of one ear.
- Hearing of both ears.
- Sight of one eye.
Removal of the following generative organs are also considered permanent partial disabilities, provided that the female member must be below 45 years old at the time of operation to be entitled to any benefit (Per SSC Res#1433):
- Loss of uterus alone.
- Loss of uterus and one ovary.
- Loss of both uterus and ovary.
- Loss of both ovaries.
- Total permanent disability is granted in case of any of the following:
- Complete loss of sight of both eyes.
- Loss of two limbs at or above the ankles or wrists.
- Permanent complete paralysis of two limbs.
- Brain injury resulting to incurable imbecility or insanity; and
- Such cases as determined and approved by SSS.
The amount of the monthly pension will be based on the member’s average monthly salary credit and the credited years of membership prior to the semester of contingency. The minimum monthly pension for SS Disability Benefit is P1,000 for members with less than 10 credited years of service (CYS); P1,200 with at least 10 CYS and P2,400 with at least 20 CYS. If qualified, the member is granted a monthly SS Disability Pension, plus P500 monthly Supplemental allowance. In case of SS Total Disability pension, Dependent’s pension of 10 percent of the member’s basic monthly pension, or P250, whichever is higher is granted up to five dependent minor children, beginning from the youngest, with no substitution allowed. A 13th month pension is also payable every December to SS total disability pensioners; for SS partial disability pensioners, 13th month pension shall be paid provided that pension duration is at least 12 months. Also, an additional benefit of P1,000 has been implemented effective January 2017.
At this time, the application of the Disability Benefit is done through the Dropbox system to minimize interaction.
The disability benefit shall be mandatorily disbursed through the qualified payees’ UMID card enrolled as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. In the absence of this, payment shall be made through participating banks under the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Disbursement Facility via the Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet), electronic wallets (E-wallets), or accredited remittance transfer companies (RTCs)/cash payout outlets (CPOs). Qualified payees need to enroll the following details in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) and upload a proof of account in the My.SSS facility in the SSS web site: for PESONet participating banks, bank name and account number; if through E-wallet, and RTC/CPO, mobile number. Members shall be notified by SSS thru e-mail or SMS upon crediting of their disability claims to their PESONet bank/E-wallet accounts, or if payment is already available through RTCs/CPOs.
People who become disabled in one way or another experience limitations to their mobility to do various daily activities. They go through other challenges emotionally and psychologically, aside from what we see physically.
Here at SSS, we work towards the improvement of our benefits and services, including disability benefits. Unlike in some private insurance agencies, where the coverage for disability is a separate policy and plan, the SSS monthly contributions cover future contingencies (Old-age, Disability, Death) of our members. Of course, we do not wish for our members to avail themselves of these benefits due to the reasons it is being applied for.
My hope is that we all continue to stay healthy and safe during these times. And when you see a physically challenged individual, make them an inspiration to your daily life.
Have a great day!
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.