The Social Security System (SSS) has offered financial relief through a calamity loan for members affected by tropical cyclones in the last few weeks: Kristine, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito.
Members who qualify can apply for a calamity loan of up to PHP20,000, equivalent to their one-month salary credit. This offer is available until December 19, 2024.
“SSS wants to extend a lending hand to them through this financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives and get back to normal,” said Voltaire P. Agas, SSS Officer-in-Charge.
Members in the areas declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) can avail of the calamity loan. These areas affected by the aforementioned tropical cyclones that were declared under a state of calamity are:
- Dagupan, Bani and Anda in Pangasina
- Ilagan and Roxas in Isabela
- Provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon
- Cardona and Binangonan, Rizal
- Puerto Galera, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Mansalay, Bulalacao (San Pedro) in Oriental Mindoro
- Paluan and Looc in Occidental Mindoro
- Provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon
- Naga City; Cataingan and San Fernando in Masbate
- Calbayog, Samar
- Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpio, Oras, Masilog, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan and Mayodolong in Eastern Samar
- Magnet, Cotabato; Alfonso Lista (Potia), Ifugao
- Quezon City in the National Capital Region (NCR)
- Quirino and Mountain Province
- Santiago and Cabagan in Isabela
- Baggao, Cagayan
- Dilasag, Aurora
- Aguinaldo, Ifugao
- Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
- Buguey, Gonzaga, Sanchez-Mira, Aparri, and Claveria in Cagayan
SSS members are also required the following to qualify for the calamity loan:
- Have at least 36 monthly contributions, six of which must be posted within the last 12 months before the month of filing of application
- Have at least six posted monthly contributions under the current membership type before the month of loan application for individually paying members such as self-employed, voluntary, and land-based Overseas Filipino Worker members
- Be living or residing in the declared calamity area
- Have no final benefit claim such as permanent total disability or retirement
- Have no past due SSS Short-Term Member Loans
- Have no outstanding restructured loan or calamity loan
- Must be certified by the employer through online (My.SSS facility) the loan application, if employed
Agas also mentioned salary loans as an alternative option for cyclone-affected members.
“They must be under 65 years of age at the time of loan application and have not received any final benefit like total disability, retirement, or death benefits to qualify for the salary loan,” he explained.
To be eligible for a loan, applicants must have a minimum of 36 monthly contributions for a loan of up to PHP20,000, or 72 monthly contributions for a loan of up to PHP40,000. Furthermore, six of these contributions must have been paid within the 12 months preceding the loan application month. Additionally, the applicant must be under their current membership type.
Interested to apply for these loans can do so online using their My.SSS account at www.sss.gov.ph.
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