No one really can fully know what’s in store in the future. But everyone can do something to prepare for the worst. This is the reason why health insurance was created. There are actually a lot of insurance companies out there which are actively promoting the benefits of their products or insurance, in general.
Also Read: List of SSS Branches and Locations in Philippines
However, every Filipino must know that the government has set up a pension scheme, the SSS, which offers a variety of benefits, including partial or total disability pension, which members who have sustained disabilities either through accidents or a medical condition can apply for.
SSS Pension & Benefits in Case of Disability
SSS provides cash assistance to members with total or partial permanent disability. The benefit is paid either as a monthly disability pension or a one-time lump sum benefit, depending on a member’s number of monthly SSS contribution payments.
Who can get Disability Pension from SSS?
- Permanently Disabled SSS Members: Those with partial or total permanent disability who have paid at least one (1) month SSS contribution before the semester of the disability.
- Partially Disabled SSS Members: Those who have complete and permanent loss of a certain body part. The condition doesn’t totally prevent a person from doing his or her job.
- Partial Disabilities which qualify for SSS benefits include the loss of any of the following parts and senses:
- One finger
- One hand
- One arm
- One foot
- One leg
- Both ears
- Hearing of one ear or both ears
- Sight of one eye
- Total Disabilities that qualify for a pension:
- Complete loss of sight of both eyes
- Loss of two limbs at or above the wrists or ankles
- Permanent complete paralysis of two limbs
- Brain injury that leads to incurable imbecility or insanity
- Other cases of total disability approved by the SSS
- Partial Disabilities which qualify for SSS benefits include the loss of any of the following parts and senses:
There are two (2) types of cash benefits for SSS members with disability:
- Monthly Disability Pension – This applies to members who have paid a minimum of 36 monthly SSS contributions before the semester of disability.
- Lump Sum Payment – This applies for members who have paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability and those whose approved disability period is payable for less than a year.
Aside from the monthly pension, disability pensioners may also receive the following benefits:
- PHP 500 monthly supplemental allowance
- PHP 1,500 additional benefit (as per Executive Order 54 effective since January 2017)
- 13th month pension paid every December
- PhilHealth hospitalization benefits for the following
– SSS members who became total disability pensioners and their dependents before RA 7875 took effect on March 4, 1995
– SSS members who became total disability pensioners and their dependents after RA 7875 took effect on March 4, 1995, are at least 60 years old, and have paid 120 monthly Medicare contributions
Applying for the SSS Disability Pension requires several documents, which are essential to prove and highlight the cause of the disability, including:
- An Accomplished Disability Claim Application Form
- SSS Medical Certificate Form filled out by the member’s attending physician
- Member’s/Claimant’s Photo and Signature Card (with 1 x 1 photo and fingerprints)
- Any of the following valid IDs:
– One (1) valid primary ID (SSS ID, UMID card, passport, PRC card, or Seaman’s Book)
– Two (2) valid secondary IDs (driver’s license, postal ID, company ID, TIN card, PhilHealth ID, senior citizen ID, etc.)
– One (1) valid secondary ID and one (1) secondary document (NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form, Marriage Certificate, LTO-issued student permit, and the like.) - Certified true copy of supporting medical documents (X-ray results, laboratory and clinical test results, record of operation, hospital discharge summary, etc.)
- Photocopy of savings account ATM card or passbook, validated initial bank deposit slip, or Visa Cash Card Enrollment Form (the original ATM card or passbook must be presented for verification.)
To begin your application for the Disability Benefit offered by SSS, a supervising physician or medical specialist at the SSS branch will let you know if you should submit additional medical records to support your claim.
The doctor will conduct a physical examination and explain the details of the SSS disability benefit. If the claimant or the disabled SSS member cannot personally file a disability claim, a representative may do so on their behalf.
For disabled SSS members living in the Philippines, a sketch of the residence or hospital of confinement will be required. For those based abroad, SSS will need your physical examination report signed by your attending physician.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who can receive a lifetime monthly disability pension?
Only SSS members who are totally and permanently disabled are entitled to a monthly disability pension for the rest of their life. However, this benefit will stop in any of the following cases:
- Recovery from total permanent disability
- Resumption of employment
- Failure to comply with the annual physical examination when notified by the SSS
- Do the dependents of the disabled SSS member have benefits as well?
Yes. Up to five (5) dependents of the disabled SSS member below age 21 years (conceived on or before disability) may receive PHP 250 or 10% of the SSS member’s monthly pension, whichever is higher. When a pensioner dies, their primary beneficiaries will get the full monthly disability pension except for the supplemental allowance.
- How much is the SSS Disability Pension?
The computation of the cash benefit will depend on your SSS membership years, as well as the number of contributions you’ve paid before the semester of disability. You may ask for a quotation from an SSS officer for your benefit claim as there are varying formulas used if you’ll be receiving a monthly or lump sum allowance, as well as in the case of partial or total permanent disabilities.
- How is the Disability Benefit Paid?
SSS settles its members’ monthly disability pension and lump sum benefit through any of its 25 accredited banks in the Philippines, including:
- AUB
- China Bank
- DBP
- EastWest Bank
- Land Bank
- PNB
- PSBank
- RCBC
- Security Bank
- Union Bank
If you have an existing account with any of the above SSS partner banks, the SSS can assign that bank to course your monthly disability pension. Otherwise, you need to open an account with an accredited bank and present the Letter of Introduction (LOI) form issued by the SSS.
To know more about disability benefits, you may refer to this guide prepared by the SSS. You may also contact SSS by email or phone through (920-6446 to 55 or 917-7777).
ALSO READ: SSS to Open More Service Centres to Better Handle OFW Concerns