SSS eyes to serve workers who lost jobs via online by April

March 30, 2020

The state-run Social Security System is eyeing to make available online applications for unemployment benefits by April, an official said on Monday.

In a press briefing aired over government-run PTV station, SSS president Aurora Ignacio said from January to March, her office has  recorded unemployment benefits worth P114 million.

"Our unemployment benefit now, we are working it to be online. We are fast-tracking it and hopefully this month of April, this can be made available for the employees who lost their jobs due to COVID (coronavirus disease 2029)," she said.

Currently, the official said this new benefit is being filed over the counter.The Department of Finance earlier projected that 30,000 to 60,000 workers could lose their jobs as a result of the possible layoffs in, or closures of, private companies hit by the economic fallout from COVID-19.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who is concurrent chairman of the Social Security Commission (SSC), said he was assured by Ignacio that the state-run pension fund was ready to shell out P1.2 billion under a worst-case scenario in which as many as 60,000 of its premium-paying members lose their jobs in the months ahead and apply for unemployment benefits.

Due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, including Metro Manila, payment of loans could be extended until May, Ignacio said.

"If the quarantine period is extended, we will also extend moratorium for payment of these loans," she said.

For SSS members who are unable to pay their contributions also during the first quarter, the deadline is also extended until June, she said.

"We extended until June the payment from January to March or first quarter of the year, so if you pay until June, there will be no penalty," Ignacio said.

For the pensioners, she said the SSS has started remitting their pension for April starting March 23. Celerina Monte/DMS