IF you have a social-media account like Facebook, you probably noticed that it has somewhat become an online obituary. With the pandemic that we are facing today, it is sad to know that many people have succumbed to the virus or other health-related circumstances. Talks of death were once topics that no one would openly discuss as it brings forth an uncomfortable and foreboding feeling. But times have changed, and now, more people are freely talking about it, including what happens after the funeral of a loved one.
Not only it is practical, but it is also healthy to talk about these things so as not to leave the grieving family that has been left by the deceased to be dealing with these challenges by themselves. I even know some people invest early in life for memorial plans in preparation for unexpected contingencies.
It has been said that the benefits that SSS provide its members and pensioners are from womb to tomb. Maternity benefits are for welcoming the new life that our female members bring into this world, while funeral benefits are for those who have paid for the funeral expenses of those who passed away.
The funeral benefit is a cash benefit given to someone who actually defrayed the cost of funeral expenses upon the death of a member, permanent total disability pensioner or retirement pensioner. This is regardless of their relationship or affinity with the deceased SSS member.
To qualify, the deceased member should have met the following eligibility requirements:
An employee-member reported for coverage by his/her employer;
- An employee-member was subject to compulsory coverage but was not reported for coverage by his/her employer;
- A self-employed member/OFW/non-working spouse who had at least one contribution payment; and;
- A voluntary member who was previously covered either as an employed, self-employed/OFW.
The funeral benefit is a variable amount ranging from a minimum of P20,000 to a maximum of P40,000 depending on the member’s number of paid contributions, average monthly salary credit (AMSC).
As an example, a person who has paid for the funeral expenses of a deceased member with 240 paid contributions and AMSC at 16,000 may reimburse an amount up to P39,200. As for a deceased member with 100 paid contributions and AMSC at 10,000, a person may claim up to P25,000.
To make the filing of funeral benefit safer, faster and more convenient, we have made the transaction available online. As with the other benefits and privileges that can be filed online, this is an economical and practical means for our members to file their application without having to go to any SSS branch.
For claimants of Funeral Benefit, they must be issued an SSS number and registered on the SSS web site to be able to apply for funeral benefit through the My.SSS portal and must have a disbursement account enrolled with SSS through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) in the My.SSS Portal of the SSS web site. Having an issued SSS Unified Multi-purpose or SSS Digitized ID, or application for UMID card is no longer a pre-requisite for online filing.
In this facility, claimants can do the following:
1. conveniently apply online for funeral benefit claim through the E-Services Menu of the My.SSS Portal of the SSS web site;
2. access or view the list of documentary requirements, update contact information and update disbursement account;
3. upload and submit documentary requirements upon system’s confirmation of the deceased member’s eligibility to the benefit and claimants’ certification. In case claimant is the dependent legal spouse of the deceased member, online certification with undertaking on his/her defrayal of funeral expense shall be required in lieu of uploading and submission of documents as proof;
4. enroll bank account or e-wallet details with SSS through the DAEM under the E-Services menu of the My.SSS portal;
5. receive the following e-mail notifications regarding the funeral benefit claim submitted online:
- upon successful submission and assignment of claim to the concerned branch office for processing; and status of claim (approval/rejection); and;
6. view the status of submitted funeral claim (real-time processing).
Funeral benefit shall be credited to the claimant’s UMID card enrolled as ATM. If without UMID card enrolled as ATM, it shall be credited to the preferred disbursement account registered by the claimant through the DAEM under the E-services menu of the My.SSS portal.
To apply for the Funeral Benefit online, just follow these simple procedures:
1. log-in to your My.SSS account.
2. click Submit Funeral Claim Application under the E-services tab.
3. provide all the following information of the deceased SSS member and click “Proceed”:
a. SS Number/C.R.N.;
b. Surname and Given Name;
c. Date of Birth;
d. Date of Death; and
e. Amount of Funeral Expense/s.
Note: SSS shall validate if all information is correct and confirm if deceased member is qualified for funeral benefit.
4. provide information as follows:
a. Civil status of the deceased;
b. Your relationship with the deceased member; and
c. Choose your preferred disbursement account in the DAEM under the E-Services menu.
Note:
The system shall automatically credit the benefit proceeds to the claimant’s UMID card enrolled as ATM, if applicable. If without UMID-ATM card, claimant must have a disbursement account enrolled in DAEM for the crediting of benefit proceeds.
5. upload supporting documents as follows:
a. Proof to establish SSS membership of deceased member;
b. Death certificate of deceased member; and
c. Proof of defrayal of funeral expenses (if applicable).
Please be reminded that allowed files are images and pdf only, with maximum file size of 2MB per document.
6. read the Certification carefully and click the “Submit” box to agree and proceed.
7. check your e-mail for the funeral benefit claim application notice from the SSS
It is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” we will leave this world. We should always be prepared, whatever contingencies arise. While doing so, let us not take away the joy of everyday living.
Have a nice 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.