SSS website down as online traffic surges over wage subsidy program

The Social Security System (SSS) on Sunday apologized for the downtime of its website, due to the surge in online traffic following the launch of the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program.

Please be advised that the SSS website has been on downtime since April 18, 2020. While we expected higher online traffic due to the launch of the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS), the overwhelming response to this program surpassed the computing capacity of the system pic.twitter.com/UdIWn70aIR

— Social Security System (@PHLSSS) April 19, 2020

In a statement, the SSS said it is now taking the steps to update its website capacity after being on downtime since Saturday, April 18, 2020.

"While we expected higher online traffic due to the launch of the Small Business Wage Subsidy, the overwhelming response to this program surpassed the computing capacity of the system," the statement read.

It was referring to the P51-billion wage subsidy program which covers some 3.4 million workers employed by some 1.5 million small businesses hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Under the program, qualified workers will receive a wage subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000, based on the monthly regional minimum wage.

"We are urgently updating our site capacity to accommodate this surge," the SSS said.

"We apologize for the inconvenience and hope for your understanding," it added.

In the meantime, SSS said it will send out emails for alternative application arrangements for qualified employers whose email addresses are on file and have been deemed compliant with regulations. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News