GSIS resumes loan transfer program for gov’t workers

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said Tuesday it has resumed its loan window program, where its members may consolidate and transfer their loans of up to P500,000 from other lending firms to the state pension fund.

The GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL), the state pension fund’s loan window program, may now be applied for through email or drop box, according to the GSIS.

“Since the safety of our members and employees is our priority and our members need financial assistance now more than ever, we are resuming GFAL transactions through contactless methods,” GSIS president and general manager Rolando Macasaet said in a statement.

“Members who wish to apply for GFAL may opt to email their application and documentary requirements or put them in drop boxes located in the lobbies of GSIS offices,” Macasaet said.

Under GFAL, GSIS will pay the outstanding balance of qualified members of up to P500,000 to their respective lenders.

Members, in turn, will pay the balance to GSIS at a lower monthly amortization and interest rate of 6% per annum for a  longer payment term of six years.

“If the member’s loan with the lending institution is less than P500,000, he may apply for the balance as Top Up Loan and the proceeds will be directly paid to him through a check which we can deposit to his UMID or eCard account upon request,” Macasaet said.

“If they want to personally pick up their checks, it will be on an appointment basis to control the number of clients in the office at a given time to avoid the spread of the virus,” he said.

Due to COVID-19, the application and processing for GFAL was temporarily suspended last March 14.

“To make up for the suspension, we have extended the application period until December 31, 2020. The temporary suspension of the loan enabled us to put in place safety protocols to protect our members who are interested to apply for the loan,” Macasaet said.

“Since social distancing does not permit conduct of training programs, we have developed online programs for the required attendance to GFAL’s financial literacy seminar. Borrowers may opt to choose any one of the following: watch a video explainer in our website or  attend the live nationwide virtual seminar that GSIS will be hosting  via Zoom or Webex,” he said.

Applicants may also attend a virtual loan counselling and email their signed tentative computation as their  availment confirmation, according to the state pension fund.

The GSIS has also reduced the previous three-month payslip requirement to only one month from the date of application.

Macasaet noted that members may qualify for GFAL if they are permanent government employees with outstanding loan from lending institutions, government banks, cooperatives, or other instrumentalities accredited or recognized by their agency; have paid GSIS premiums for at least three years; and have no due and demandable GSIS loan.

They must also be not on leave of absence without pay; have a net take-home pay of not lower than P5,000 after deduction of monthly obligations; and have no pending administrative case or criminal charge.

A borrower with pending case is still eligible to apply for GFAL if the case was filed by a lending institution due to nonpayment as a result of the prioritization of GSIS payments, the state pension fund said. — RSJ, GMA News