Quick answer: to get the maximum SSS maternity benefit of ₱70,000, you need an MSC of ₱20,000 or more on your six highest contributions, at least 3 contributions in the qualifying window, and a 105-day live birth. To claim it, file the maternity notification early in your pregnancy and the maternity benefit application after delivery, both through My.SSS. Estimate your exact benefit with our calculator →
This guide is about the process and requirements. For the formula see how to compute the maternity benefit, and for eligibility see the qualifying period guide.
Requirements checklist
- At least 3 monthly contributions in the 12 months before the semester of your delivery or miscarriage. Check which months count →
- Maternity notification (Form MAT-1) filed with SSS. The notification includes your expected delivery date.
- A My.SSS account and an enrolled disbursement account (bank or e-wallet). The account name must match your SSS record.
- After delivery: the child’s birth certificate for a live birth. For a miscarriage or emergency termination, the medical records.
- For employed members, your employer’s certification of the salary it advanced, and the filing of the reimbursement form (MAT-2) by the employer.
Step-by-step: employed members
- Tell your employer you are pregnant and give your expected delivery date, with proof of pregnancy (such as an ultrasound or medical certificate).
- Your employer submits the maternity notification to SSS through its My.SSS employer account.
- File your leave application. Under RA 11210 the employer must advance the full maternity benefit within 30 days of the leave application.
- After you give birth, give HR the child’s birth certificate and any documents it asks for.
- Your employer files for reimbursement with SSS. You do not wait for it. Your employer also pays the difference between your full salary and the SSS benefit (the salary differential), unless it is exempt.
Step-by-step: voluntary, self-employed and separated members
- Make sure your contributions are posted for at least 3 months in the qualifying window.
- Enrol a disbursement account under the Services tab in My.SSS.
- Submit the maternity notification online through My.SSS as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.
- After delivery, file the maternity benefit application online and upload the child’s birth certificate (or the medical records for a miscarriage).
- SSS pays the benefit directly to your registered account, with no employer involved.
If something is missing, the online system tells you what to upload. If your record has a problem (a wrong name or birth date, for example), fix it at an SSS branch before the delivery.
How much will you get?
The “₱70,000” figure is the maximum. It is reached only with an MSC of ₱20,000 or more for a 105-day live birth.
Daily allowance = (sum of your 6 highest MSCs) ÷ 180 Total benefit = Daily allowance × leave days
| Your MSC | Daily allowance | 105 days |
|---|---|---|
| ₱10,000 (₱1,500 voluntary payment) | ₱333.33 | ₱35,000 |
| ₱15,000 | ₱500.00 | ₱52,500 |
| ₱20,000 or higher | ₱666.67 | ₱70,000 |
Solo parents get 120 days (₱80,000 at the maximum) and a miscarriage pays 60 days (₱40,000 at the maximum). You can test your own numbers in the maternity calculator.
Timeline: what to do and when
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| As soon as the pregnancy is confirmed | File the maternity notification (employer or My.SSS). Check that your disbursement account is enrolled. |
| Before the semester of contingency starts | Make sure you have at least 3 contributions in the qualifying window, ideally 6 at the MSC you want. |
| 1 to 2 months before the due date | Prepare your leave application and agree the leave dates with HR. Decide how many days (up to 7) you will allocate to the father or a caregiver. |
| After delivery | Submit the child’s birth certificate and file the benefit application or let HR file it. |
| After you return | Follow up on the salary differential from your employer, if your company grants it. |
Special cases
- Freelancers and self-employed members: you are your own employer, so you file the notification and the claim yourself in My.SSS. Pay your contributions on time and at the MSC you want counted.
- Miscarriage or emergency termination: the process is the same, but you submit medical records instead of a birth certificate, and the benefit covers 60 days.
- Solo parents: you get 120 days, and you need to show your solo parent status to your employer.
- Separated members: you can still claim if the 3-contribution rule is met in the window. File directly with SSS, not through a former employer.
How to maximize your benefit
- Raise your MSC before the semester starts. Voluntary and self-employed members can choose a higher MSC for the months in the qualifying window. Contributions paid inside the semester do not count.
- Fill all six slots. Six contributions in the window give the full formula, while fewer reduce the sum.
- Post every contribution before you file. Unposted or late payments can leave a gap.
- File the notification early to avoid delays.
Want to confirm what MSC you’re on? Use the SSS Contribution Calculator →.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until after the delivery to file the notification.
- Paying contributions only after the semester of contingency has begun.
- A disbursement account that is not enrolled, or whose name does not match the SSS record.
- Assuming a higher salary raises the benefit: the maternity MSC is capped at ₱20,000.
Related reading
- SSS maternity benefit calculator
- How to compute SSS maternity benefits
- SSS maternity qualifying period
- SSS sickness benefit
Sources: RA 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave Act), DOLE Handbook on Workers’ Statutory Monetary Benefits and the SSS maternity benefit page. Form names and online steps change, so confirm in My.SSS. For estimation only.