In the Philippines, Social Security System (SSS) plays a vital role in supporting and assisting its registered members, including coverage for various contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, and death. One vital component of this coverage is the SSS sickness benefit, which is a daily cash allowance equal to 90% of the member’s average daily salary credit, granted to members who are unable to work due to illness or injury. You can check the complete list of illnesses covered by SSS to understand what conditions qualify for this benefit.
To make the process of determining the benefits accessible and transparent, we have introduced the SSS Sickness Calculator Philippines for SSS members’ convenience. This calculator helps you estimate your daily sickness allowance and total benefit amount based on your salary credits and approved sick days.
How to use the SSS Sickness Benefit Calculator
- Enter your 6 highest Monthly Salary Credits (MSC) from the 12-month period before your sickness (maximum ₱20,000 per month)
- Enter the number of approved sick days (maximum 120 days per year)
- Click “Calculate” to see your daily allowance and total benefit amount
SSS Sickness Benefit Calculator
What is SSS Sickness Benefit?
The SSS Sickness Benefit is a program offered by the Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines that provides financial support to active SSS members in case of a temporary disability or incapacity to work due to sickness or injury.
It’s a form of financial assistance to help the member cover their medical expenses and other daily needs while they’re in the process of recovery.
Who are eligible for SSS Sickness Benefit?
Active SSS members who have paid at least three (3) months of contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of sickness are eligible to apply for the SSS Sickness Benefit.
They should have also been confined in a hospital for at least four (4) days or have been on home confinement due to their illness or injury for at least three (3) days.
How long can a member avail of the SSS Sickness Benefit?
A member can avail of SSS Sickness Benefit for a maximum of 120 days in one calendar year, regardless if it’s a continuous or intermittent period of sickness. Any unused portion cannot be carried forward to the following year.
Furthermore, the sickness benefit shall not be paid for more than 240 days on account of the same illness. If the sickness or injury persists after 240 days, the claim will be considered a disability claim.
How many days to claim SSS Sickness Benefit?
To claim SSS Sickness Benefit, the Sickness Benefit Application Form must be submitted to the SSS within five (5) calendar days after the start of confinement.
This is important to ensure that the application will be processed and the benefit can be granted promptly. However, if the ECQ or GCQ has been lifted, the application must be submitted within sixty (60) calendar days.
It’s essential to keep these deadlines in mind and submit the necessary documents as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving the benefit.
What happens if you file late?
Important: Late filing of sickness benefit claims can result in reduction or denial of the claim. If you notify SSS beyond the prescribed five-day period, your confinement will be considered to have started not earlier than the fifth day immediately preceding the date of notification.
You may also read: How to Avail 70k SSS Maternity Benefits
How to Apply for SSS Sickness Benefit?
- Prepare all required documents
- Complete and sign the Sickness Benefit Application Form
- Submit the Sickness Notification Form within 5 days
- File your claim online or at an SSS branch
- Track your application status using the provided reference number
What are the requirements needed for the SSS Sickness Benefit application?
Before applying for the SSS Sickness Benefit, make sure you have the following requirements:
- Signed sickness benefit application form (which can be downloaded from the SSS website)
- Sickness notification (which can also be downloaded from the SSS website)
- Medical certificate or clearance from the attending physician (if required by SSS)
- Valid ID with photo and signature
Additional requirements for sickness/injury abroad
For sickness or injury that occurred abroad, all documents must meet these requirements:
- Must include English translation
- Must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate Office or
- Must be notarized by a notary public in the host country
Can a member apply for SSS Sickness Benefit online via the SSS website?
Yes, members can apply for SSS Sickness Benefit online by logging in to their SSS account through the SSS website. They can file their claim by filling out the application form and attaching the required documents.
Once submitted, they will receive a confirmation and reference number which they can use to track the status of their application.
Which claims cannot be filed online?
While most sickness benefit claims can be filed online, there are some exceptions that must be submitted over the counter at any SSS branch office:
- Denied claims that have been reconsidered for payment
- Unclaimed benefits of deceased members
What should the employer do in case of their employee’s sickness?
When an employee needs to take a sick leave, their employer must accomplish the Employer’s Notification to SSS (Form B-309) and submit it together with the employee’s Sickness Notification Form to the nearest SSS office.
This will ensure that the member’s benefit will be processed and released on time.
Check Out: SSS Number Coding Scheme and Schedule
What Happens When You Notify the SSS of Your Sickness?
Notifying the SSS of your sickness is a crucial step in availing of the SSS Sickness Benefit. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the Sickness Notification Form?
The Sickness Notification Form is a document that must be submitted to the SSS within 5 days by the member or the member’s employer to inform them that the member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.
How to submit the Sickness Notification Form?
The Sickness Notification Form can be submitted personally by the member or employer to the nearest SSS office.
It can also be submitted online through the SSS website by attaching a scanned copy of the signed form.
What happens if you fail to notify the SSS of your sickness?
If a member fails to notify the SSS of their sickness within five days, their benefit may be delayed or even forfeited.
Thus, it’s important to submit the required documents on time to avoid any problems in the processing of their claim.
Filing during holidays and weekends
If the deadline for filing falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday (including legal, regular, or special non-working days declared by the government), you can submit your application on the next working day without any penalty for delay. This applies to both notification of sickness and hospital confinement cases.
How Much SSS Sickness Benefit Will You Receive?
The amount of SSS Sickness Benefit is based on your Average Daily Salary Credit (ADSC) and is computed through the following process:
Understanding the Computation Process
Before calculating your benefit amount, it’s important to understand these key terms:
- A quarter refers to three consecutive months ending in March, June, September, or December
- A semester consists of two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of sickness
- Average Daily Salary Credit (ADSC) is your total salary credits divided by 180 days
The benefit is calculated following these steps:
- Exclude the semester of contingency from the computation
- Count twelve (12) months backwards from the month immediately before the semester of contingency
- Select the six (6) highest monthly salary credits within this 12-month period
- Divide the total MSC by 180 days to get your average daily salary credit (ADSC)
- Multiply your ADSC by 90% to get your daily sickness allowance
- Multiply your daily allowance by the number of approved sick days
Important Notes:
- Starting January 2021, while SS contribution includes Workers’ Investment and Savings Program (WISP) contribution, benefits are calculated only on contributions up to ₱20,000 MSC
- Contributions paid within or after the semester of contingency are not considered
Additional Benefits
Aside from the SSS Sickness Benefit, an eligible member can also avail of the following benefits:
- Medical reimbursement – reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during the member’s confinement or home care as prescribed by the attending physician.
- Disability benefit – cash benefit paid to a member who becomes permanently disabled due to an injury or sickness.
- Funeral benefit – cash benefit paid to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member to cover their funeral expenses.
Final Thoughts
The SSS Sickness Calculator proves to be an essential tool for employees and employers in managing and estimating sickness benefits from the Philippines’ Social Security System.
By factoring in the employee’s monthly salary credits, contribution history, and adherence to the 120-day allowance period, the calculator provides a personalized estimate of the benefits one can expect to receive during a period of illness.
Moreover, it offers transparency, eases the process of claims, and ensures that individuals are accurately compensated during their time of need. Thus, the SSS Sickness Calculator remains invaluable in promoting financial security in times of health uncertainties.