SSS reminds members, pensioners of number coding system in making transactions

The Social Security System (SSS) has reminded members, claimants, and covered employers to avoid going to branches without following the number coding system implemented to avoid crowding amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number coding system mandates a schedule for beneficiaries to transact with the state insurer based on the last number of the Social Security or Employer ID Number -- Monday for those ending in 1 and 2; Tuesday for 3 and 4; Wednesday for 5 and 6; Thursday for 7 and 8; and Friday for 9 and 0.

Those with transactions involving funeral or death benefit claims will base the SSS number on that of the deceased member.

Should a due date fall on a holiday, individuals can proceed on the next working day. Meanwhile, should there be a system downtime the SSS branch will set an appointment for those who are in line, or they may opt to wait until the system resumes operations.

Among the transactions covered by the coding scheme are loan and contribution payments, compliance with the SS number application conducted online, pick-up of the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card, displaying or submitting original documents to support claim applications, and the use of the E-Center Facility for those without a computer or home internet, and other reasons.

"Hinihingi po namin ang pakikiisa ng lahat sa mga hakbang na aming isinasagawa sa aming branches para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19. Strikto po namin itong ipinatutupad kaya kung pupunta po kayo ng hindi sa inyong prescribed transaction day ay hindi po kayo makakapasok," SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio said.

In the same statement, Ignacio reminded the public that the SSS suspensed the Annual Confirmation of Pensions' Program (ACOP) and UMID Data Capture since March 2020 when the lockdowns started.

"Para sa aming pensioners, sinuspindi po namin ang ACOP. Covered po nito ang mga hindi nakapag-comply sa programa simula Enero 2020. Hindi po mapuputol ang pagtanggap ninyo ng SSS pension hangga’t mayroong community quarantine sa bansa. Kapag ang buong bansa po ay nasa ilalim na ng new normal o ‘pag na-lift na lahat ng forms ng community quarantine, bibigyan po namin kayo ng 60 days para makapag-comply sa ACOP," she said.

The SSS has since established a facility to which enables pensioners to instead comply with ACOP via calls and video chat instead of them physically going to SSS branches.

"Batid po namin na marami ang nangangailangan ng mga serbisyong hatid ng SSS, kung kaya’t patuloy po naming pinagbubuti ang aming online services. Hinihikayat po namin ang aming mga miyembro at covered employers na gamitin ang mga ito sa halip na pumunta pa sa aming branches," Ignacio said.

The agency has also started to release pensions via the Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) and other checkless disbursement channels such as via cash pick-up arrangement at M. Lhuillier through the cash padala of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The SSS is mandated to promote social justice and provide protection to members and families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/RSJ, GMA News