EXPLAINER: Lost your job? How to get SSS, GSIS unemployment benefits

Losing your job is never easy, but the law provides that workers both in the private and public sector are entitled to benefits. 

The Social Security Service (SSS) provides a cash grant to “covered employees, including Kasambahays, and Overseas Filipino Workers who are involuntarily separated from employment.” 

To qualify for SSS’ unemployment benefit, one must not be over 60 years old at the time of the involuntary separation.

There are exceptions for mine workers, who must not be over 50 years old, and racehorse jockeys, who must not be over 55 years old. 

SSS members must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, with 12 of those made within the 18 months immediately before losing their job.

What counts as “involuntary separation”? 

• Installation of labor-saving devices;
• Redundancy;
• Retrenchment or downsizing;
• Closure or cessation of operation;
• Disease/illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his or his co-employee’s health;
• Leaving a job without notice due to serious insult, inhumane treatment, or crimes committed by the employer against the employee; and
• Economic downturns 

However, those who were involuntarily separated from employment due to “just causes” are not eligible for the unemployment benefits. Examples of “just causes” include: 

• Serious misconduct;
• Willful disobedience or insubordination;
• Gross and habitual neglect of duties;
• Fraud or willful breach of trust;
• Commission of a crime or offense; or
• Analogous cases like abandonment, gross inefficiency, disloyalty/conflict of interest/dishonesty.

The SSS said claims for unemployment benefit should be filed within one year from the date of  involuntary separation. 

“An employee who is involuntarily separated can only claim unemployment benefit once every three (3) years starting from the date of involuntary separation,” it said.

“In case of concurrence of two (2) or more compensable contingencies within the same compensable period, only the highest benefit shall be paid,” the SSS added. 

For private sector workers and SSS members, claiming of unemployment benefits must be filed online through their My.SSS account. 

Step 1. Online submission

Members must log in to their My.SSS portal and select “Unemployment Benefit” under the “Benefits” tab

Applicants must provide their separation date, the employer’s registered name, and their preferred Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) office for certification.

The SSS will instantly validate eligibility and contact details. Once successful, the member will receive an email with a transaction number. 

Step 2. Certification 

The member may file his/her application for the Electronic Certification of Involuntary Separation at the following facilities: 

Local workers/kasambahay: DOLE Field or Provincial Office where the employer is located.

Land-based/sea-based OFWs: POEA Central Office, One-Stop Service Centers (OSSCO), POEA Regional Center, POEA Satellite Office, Regional Extension Unit, or the relevant POLO.

Applicants must present their SSS Transaction Number, a valid ID, and a Notice of Termination (or a notarized Affidavit of Termination if the notice is unavailable).

Step 3. Approval and claiming of unemployment benefits

Once the DOLE confirms the Certification of Involuntary Separation, the unemployment benefit claim shall be approved for payment.

The SSS shall send an e-mail notification on the approval and crediting of the unemployment benefit to the member’s e-mail address registered in the My.SSS Portal of the SSS website.

READ: EXPLAINER: What gov't assistance awaits returning OFWs from Middle East?

GSIS 

Meanwhile, the GSIS provides a monthly cash payment to eligible members. 

Who can avail of the unemployment benefits? 

• A former permanent employee who has paid the required integrated contributions (personal and government share) for 12 months; or
• Involuntarily separated from the service due to abolition of your office or position, or due to reorganization, merger or privatization.

“The benefit is in the form of monthly cash payments equivalent to 50% of the average monthly compensation (AMC). The duration of the benefit depends on the length of service and ranges from two months to a maximum of six months,” the GSIS said. 

The benefit will be paid according to the following: 

Contributions made/Benefit duration 

• 1 to 3 years: 2 months  
• 3 to 6 years: 3 months
• 6 to 9 years: 4 months
• 9 to 11 years: 5 months 
• 11 to 15 years: 6 months 

The GSIS said applications should be filed within four years from the time of involuntary separation from government service. It shall be deducted from future separation or retirement benefit, it added. 

To apply, one must submit the accomplished application form; service record indicating last day of service/actual date of involuntary separation, and leaves of absences with pay or without pay; and declaration of pendency/non-pendency of case prior to electronic crediting or printing. — JMA, GMA News