The Social Security System (SSS) recorded P6.23 billion in disbursements for disability benefits in 2020, lower by 12.6 percent from the previous year. The amount covers payouts to 118,755 beneficiaries.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio attributed the decrease due to the limited mobility of members and pensioners since March 2020, when the government implemented strict community quarantine throughout the country.
“We facilitated the use of the dropbox system to minimize face-to-face transactions to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our top priority is the health and safety of our transacting members and our employees,” Ignacio said.
“We have pushed for the digitalization of all our services amid the pandemic. However, we are already working on disability and death benefits to be included in the pipeline soon for the safety and convenience of our members,” Ignacio added.
There are now around 25 online services available at the My.SSS portal. In addition to online applications for Calamity Loan, Pension Loan, Retirement Benefit (subject to qualifying conditions for online filing), Unemployment Benefit, and Funeral Claim, members may also submit their requests for Member Data Change for simple corrections, while employers can submit Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications of their employees.
Members and employers can also get a Real-Time Processing of Loans Payment Reference Number (RTPL-PRN), which will be mandatorily implemented on May 1, 2021; Benefit Re-disbursement Module, and improved Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM).
Moreover, the SSS enhanced its online SS Number Application facility and provided members with access to the Remittance Transfer Company/Cash Payout Outlet (RTC/CPO) Reference Number Inquiry.
They can also access other virtual services, including viewing contribution and loan records; and inquiring on the status of their benefit claims and eligibility for benefit programs, among others. In addition to the My.SSS portal, this information may also be accessed using the SSS Mobile App and Text-SSS.
Members can also view their membership information, list of PRN payments, addresses of SSS branches; file for Salary Loans; submit Maternity Notifications (for self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker members); generate PRNs for contributions; and update their contact information through the My.SSS Portal and SSS Mobile App.
By using the My.SSS Portal, members can set an appointment with an SSS branch, send a request for SSS records, enroll in the Personal Equity and Savings Option (PESO) Fund or Flexi-fund, use a simulated retirement calculator, and view details of their Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card or SSS ID, as well as change their account password. With the SSS Mobile App, they can also pay contributions using PayMaya and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).
For employers, they may also view employees’ contribution and loan records, the status of payments, and benefit reimbursement claims and update their contact information. Likewise, they may also update their contact information, facilitate submission of Employment Reports (R-1A), Loan Collection Lists (ML2), Contribution Collection Lists (R3), sickness notifications, maternity notifications, and generate PRN, as well as certify the loans or claims of their employees.
Announcements and other information are posted on the official SSS accounts on Facebook and YouTube at “Philippine Social Security System,” Instagram at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” and SSS Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”