SSS – FilipiKnow

Having an SSS number is your first step to enjoying the benefits of being a member of the Social Security System (SSS)—the government-run social insurance program in the Philippines. You'll probably get an SSS number to fulfill your requirements for your first job, but this number is more than just a requirement for employment. Find out what an SSS number is used for and how to get one easily through this guide. READ: How to Compute and Check Your SSS Contribution Online: An Ultimate Guide What Is an SSS Number? The Social Security Number or SSS number is a 10-digit number assigned to Filipinos who apply for membership with the SSS. It's used in all transactions with the SSS, such as availing of benefits and loans. Why Do You Need To Get an SSS Number? 1. Job Requirement. Each time you get a new job, your employer will ask for your SSS number. Under the Social Security Law1, employers cannot hire a person without an SSS number, so you must provide this number to get hired. 2. SSS Contribution Payment. Employers use the SSS number to report new employees and remit contribution payments (which are part of salary deductions) to the SSS. Employers in the Philippines who don't comply with this requirement face penalties under the law. 3. Availment of SSS Benefits. Your SSS number is crucial for computing your paid contributions, which determines how much benefit you can claim from the SSS. Having an SSS number and meeting certain qualifications entitle a member to these SSS benefits: Salary loan - Members can borrow money from the SSS to meet their short-term cash needs.Sickness - When members can't work due to an injury or illness, they can avail of a sickness benefit that pays a cash allowance for each day they're confined in a hospital or at home.Unemployment insurance - The newly enacted Social Security Act of 2018 requires the SSS to provide a cash allowance to involuntarily separated employees for two months to help them get by while finding a new job.Maternity - Daily cash allowance is given to female SSS members who can't work due to childbirth or miscarriage.Disability - Members with a partial or total permanent disability may avail of a cash benefit, which is paid either as a lump sum or monthly pension.Retirement - Members who are 60 years old and can't work anymore receive a cash benefit as a lump sum or monthly pension.Death - When an SSS member dies, his or her beneficiaries will receive a cash benefit as a lump sum or monthly pension.Funeral - This is a cash benefit given to anyone who paid for the burial costs of a deceased member. Source: Philippine Social Security System Facebook Page Who Can Get an SSS Number? Filipinos aged 60 and below who belong to any of the member categories listed here and have not been issued a social security number are required to get an SSS number. 1. Employees. Employees include workers who are on regular, contractual, or probationary status, such as the following: Private sector employeesHousehold service workers or kasambahaysSeafarersEmployees of foreign governments or international organizations under administrative agreement with the SSS 2. Self-employed persons. Self-employed individuals are those earning at least PHP 1,000 monthly from their own business or profession, such as the following: ProfessionalsEntrepreneurs (Partners and single proprietors of businesses)Farmers and fishermenInformal workers (sidewalk vendors, jeepney or tricycle drivers, etc.)Contractual and job order employees working for government agencies who are not covered by the GSISActors, directors, scriptwriters, journalists/news correspondents, etc.Professional athletes, coaches, and trainers licensed by the Games and Amusement Board, as well as jockeys and trainers licensed by the Philippine Racing Commission 3. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The Social Security Act of 2018 makes SSS coverage mandatory for all OFWs, which means all Filipinos working abroad are now protected under the SSS. To enjoy such protection, the following overseas Filipinos need to get an SSS number first: Workers recruited in the Philippines by foreign employers for deployment abroadFilipinos who earn income from outside the countryFilipinos who are permanent residents in other countries 4. Non-working spouse. If you're a legal spouse of an SSS member, you're qualified to get an SSS number as long as you pay your SSS contributions, manage the household in a full-time capacity, and have not registered as an SSS member. Related Article: How to Register Your SSS Account Online: A Step-By-Step Guide Requirements for SSS Number Application. Submit copies of the documents listed below. As of September 7, 2021efn_note]Baron, G. (2021). SSS enhances online application of Social Security number. Retrieved 20 December 2021, from https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/07/sss-enhances-online-application-of-social-security-number/[/efn_note], the enhanced online application system of the SSS now enables new registrants to upload the required documents directly to the SSS portal. As a result, applicants no longer have to personally submit them via the dropbox system at SSS offices. 1. Birth certificate or a valid ID. SSS only accepts a birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the local civil registrar. If you don't have any birth records with the PSA, you can file for late registration of birth certificate at the local civil registrar in the city or municipality where you're born. Without a birth certificate, you can submit any of the following valid IDs instead: Baptismal certificatePassportDriver's licensePRC cardSeaman’s Book If you don't have any of those primary IDs, you may submit any two of the following IDs with your correct name and birthdate: Alien Certificate of registrationATM card (with cardholder's name)Certificate of Confirmation from the National Commission on Indigenous PeoplesCertificate of Licensure/Qualification Documents from MARINACertificate of Muslim Filipino Tribal Affiliation from the National Commission on Muslim FilipinosChildren's baptismal certificate Children's birth certificateCompany IDCourt Order granting the petition for change of name or birthdateCredit cardFirearm Licence card issued by PNPFishworker’s License issued by BFARGSIS card / Member's Record / Certificate of MembershipHealth or Medical cardHomeowner’s Association IDID card issued by LGUsID card issued by any professional association recognized by PRCLife insurance policyMarriage certificateNBI ClearanceOWWA cardPag-IBIG transaction card / Member’s Data FormPassbookPhilHealth card / Member's Data RecordPolice ClearancePostal IDSchool IDSeafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by POEASenior citizen IDStudent Permit issued by LTOTIN cardTranscript of RecordsVoter's ID / Affidavit / Certificate of Registration issued by Comelec 2. Additional documents. You may also be required to submit any of these additional documents, depending on your civil status: Married: Marriage certificate or copy of spouse's Member Data Change Request form (SS Form E-4) that indicates the applicant's name as the legal spouse.Widows/widowers: Marriage certificate and death certificate of the deceased spouse or Court Order on the Declaration of Presumptive Death.Legally separated: Decree of Legal Separation.Annulled: Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or annotated marriage certificate.Divorced: Decree of Divorce and Certificate of Naturalization/Certificate of Divorce (for divorced Muslim applicants).With children (to be registered as beneficiaries): Children's birth certificate or baptismal certificate/Birth certificate with “Legitimated” status/Decree of Adoption. How To Get SSS Number Online in the Philippines: A Step-by-Step Guide. 1. Visit the SSS Website. Go to the official SSS website and point your cursor to the section that says Apply for an SS Number Online. Click the hyperlinked text No SS Number yet? Get it here! You'll be directed to a page introducing you to the SSS membership application online facility. Click another hyperlinked text--this will take you to the SSS number application online facility. 2. Read the Online Application Step-by-Step Guide. Read carefully the instructions and then click the Start button to go to the Registrant Record Verification page. 3. Fill Out the Online Form. Enter your correct name and birthdate, as SSS will use these details to check for any existing records in its database. Also, provide an active and working email address because this is where SSS will send you important messages regarding your application. Next, answer the CAPTCHA and tick the small box underneath to confirm that you've provided true and correct information. Lastly, click the Submit button. 4. Click the Confirmation Link Sent to Your Email Address. SSS will send a confirmation email with a registration link. You have to check your email immediately because the link will expire in five days. Once it expires, you'll need to repeat the registration steps. If you haven't received the email, check your Spam folder. Click on the link to proceed with the next steps of your SSS number online application. 5. Complete Online Registration by Providing All the Required Information. On the registration page, fill out the fields from the Basic Information section up to the Beneficiaries Information section. 6. Upload Supporting Document/S. As mentioned previously, you can now upload all the documentary requirements (e.g., birth certificate) directly to the SSS portal so you won't have to personally go to the SSS office and submit them via the dropbox system. According to SSS, this new system serves two purposes: activation of SSS membership and also for the completion of the initial step of My.SSS registration. 7. Review Your Information. The screen will display a summary of your information. Double-check your details to ensure they're complete and correct. To make changes to your information, just click the Previous button at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the pages you previously filled out, so you can edit any incorrect entry. 8. Generate Your SSS Number. Once you're sure everything is good, click the Generate SSS Number button. The system will show a confirmation of successful registration, including your SSS number. You may print your personal record and/or SSS number slip right away. Simply click the corresponding button for printing the documents. You'll also receive a confirmation email with your personal record form and SSS number slip attached. Print the attachments and confirmation message. If you'll register as a non-working spouse, have your spouse sign before his or her name on your printed personal record form. The signature will be proof that your spouse agrees with your SSS membership. Note: At this point, you can no longer change any incorrect info. In case you only realized the mistake after generating your number, visit the nearest SSS branch to have it corrected. Once your SSS membership becomes permanent, you can now proceed to UMID card enrollment. Tips and Warnings. 1. Don't get more than one SSS number. Your SSS number is meant for lifetime use. Once you're issued this number, you should never apply for a new one—even if you lose it, change your civil status, or get a new job. Having multiple SSS numbers will cause a mix-up in your records, as your contributions have been paid using your different numbers. This will lead to delays in the processing of your SSS benefits and loans in the future. If you have two or more SSS numbers, go to the nearest SSS branch to request the cancellation of the other numbers and consolidation of all your contributions under just one SSS number. 2. Having an SSS number doesn't mean you're already a member and entitled to SSS benefits. You're not automatically covered as an SSS member when you secure an SSS number. You'll become a member who can qualify for SSS benefits only when your employer has reported you for SSS coverage, and you've paid at least one-month contribution. If you're an OFW, self-employed person, or non-working spouse, your SSS membership starts after you've paid at least a one-month contribution. 3. Beware of fake SSS agents. Avoid dealing with online scammers who offer assistance for SSS number applications and other related services for a fee. An SSS number is issued free of charge. To be safe, apply using the official SSS website or at any SSS branch. Also, never disclose your personal information to strangers you meet online to avoid identity theft. 4. Follow the official SSS Facebook page. The SSS regularly posts updates on SSS membership and benefits on its Facebook page. Its Facebook admins respond to inquiries, so it's good to follow this page should you need help with your SSS number application and other SSS-related concerns. 5. New members who didn't complete online registration due to internet connectivity issues may proceed to the nearest SSS office. Due to poor internet connection or other technical issues, some users are unable to complete online registration. However, when they try to click the registration link sent to their email addresses, the system often shows they have already completed the registration process, which is not the case as they have failed to obtain an SSS number. In case this happens to you, simply bring all the supporting documents and proceed to the nearest SSS office. Explain to the security guard your concern and you'll be pointed to the appropriate queue intended specifically to handle this type of concern. Wait for your turn; once your number is called, explain once again your issue and present the requirements when asked to. The entire process should be done in less than an hour. Related Article: How to Get UMID Card (New SSS ID) in the Philippines Frequently Asked Questions. 1. Is CRN the same as SSS number? 2. How do I recover my lost/forgotten SSS number? 3. What's the difference between temporary and permanent SSS number? How can I change a temporary SSS number to a permanent one? 4. Can students apply for an SSS number? 5. Can senior citizens apply for an SSS number? 6. Can I get an SSS number even if I’m unemployed? 7. Are kasambahays required to get an SSS number? How? 8. How can I update my SSS membership information (e.g., civil status, birth date, name, contact details, beneficiaries)? References.