The Social Security System will soon start accepting online Maternity Benefit Applications and Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Applications through its My.SSS portal on its website.
The online filing of MBA and MBRA will start on May 31, in line with its scheduled mandatory implementation that will take effect on September 1, 2021.
Drop box or over-the-counter filing will still be allowed at the SSS Branch Office/Foreign Representative Office/Medical Evaluation Center until August 31.
“As part of our digitalization initiatives, the SSS has now allowed maternity benefit applications to be filed online, along with sickness benefit reimbursement, unemployment, retirement, and funeral. We recognize the current situation of our female members, who are high-risk individuals to COVID-19 infection. Their health and safety remain our top priority,” SSS president and chief executive officer, Aurora Ignacio, said in a press release.
The maternity benefit covers all female self-employed, voluntary, overseas Filipino worker, non-working spouse members, and female members who are separated from employment and have not yet received any advance payment of maternity benefit from their previous employers.
Maternity benefit reimbursement covers all employers, including household employers, the press release said.
Online filing through the member or employer’s My.SSS account applies to all initial or new claims, and cases for adjustments, including when a member is qualified as a solo parent, with correction on the type of delivery from normal to caesarian, or from miscarriage to ectopic pregnancy with operation;
SSS computation is higher than the employer’s computation, additional posted contributions will increase the benefit amount, correction of the approved number of compensable days from 60 for normal delivery, or 78 for caesarian section delivery to 105 days, and allocation of leave credits not used due to separation from employment of child’s father or qualified alternate caregiver.
The maternity benefit is a cash allowance granted to qualified female members, who have at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of the childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy (ETP).
For employed members, they should notify their employers upon learning about their pregnancy. For self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members, they may submit the maternity notification via the My.SSS portal on the SSS website, or through the SSS Mobile App. Only contributions paid prior to the semester of childbirth, miscarriage, or ETP will be considered in determining eligibility for maternity benefits.
The 105-day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, implemented on March 11, 2019, increases the number of compensable days of maternity leave, from the initial 60 days for normal delivery, or 78 days for caesarian section delivery, to 105 days for live childbirth—regardless of the type of delivery. An additional 15 days paid leave is granted if the female worker qualifies as a solo parent.
For more details, go to SSS accounts on Facebook, YouTube at “Philippine Social Security System”, Instagram at “mysssph”, on Twitter at “PHLSSS”, and in the SSS Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates”. ||
