SSS offers toll-free calls for OFW members 

The Social Security System (SSS) has made its services within reach of OFWs in at least 11 key destinations worldwide by offering toll-free numbers.

Judy Frances A. See, SSS senior vice president for international operations, said OFWs who have queries or requests to the SSS stand to benefit from this added service.

The toll-free numbers are:

-- 001-8000-CALL-SSS for Hong Kong and Singapore;
-- 00-8000-CALL-SSS for Malaysia, Taiwan, Italy and United Kingdom;
-- 801-4275 for Brunei;
-- 00800-100-260 for Qatar;
-- 800-0630-0038 for United Arab Emirates;
-- 800-863-0022 for Saudi Arabia; and
-- 8000-6094 for Bahrain.

These toll-free numbers will be open to OFWs from 6 a.m. on Mondays to 6 a.m. on Saturdays in Philippine time.

According to See, most of the requests sought from the OFW Contact Services Unit (CSU) include reactivation of SSS membership, verification of contribution and loan records, queries on procedures on applying for SS (social security) number, location of SSS foreign representative offices, accredited overseas payment channels and status of various applications.

"Our toll-free call services, CSU hotline numbers and designated e-mail address enable OFW members to conveniently relay their queries and requests to the SSS, and in return, we can respond faster to them," See said.

Filipinos with queries for the CSU may direct their concerns through e-mail at ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph and via hotline numbers +632 364-7796 and +632 364-7798 and at the SSS Main Office in Quezon City from Mondays to Fridays. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News