Quick answer: if you lose your job for a reason that is not your choice (redundancy, retrenchment or closure), SSS pays an unemployment (involuntary separation) benefit of 50% of your Average Monthly Salary Credit for up to 2 months. You need 36 contributions, 12 of them in the last 18 months, and you must be 60 or younger. It is separate from the separation pay and final pay your employer owes you. Estimate your final pay and separation pay →
Requirements
Under Section 14-B of the Social Security Act of 2018 (RA 11199), you can claim if:
- You were involuntarily separated from work.
- You have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, and 12 of them are within the 18 months immediately before the month of separation.
- You are not over 60 years old.
- You have not claimed the benefit in the last 3 years.
Involuntary means the separation was not your decision: redundancy, installation of labor-saving devices, retrenchment, closure of the establishment and similar authorized causes. If you resign or are dismissed for a just cause (such as serious misconduct), the benefit does not apply. The causes are the same ones that decide whether you get separation pay.
How the benefit is computed
Monthly benefit = 50% × AMSC Total benefit = monthly benefit × up to 2 months
The Average Monthly Salary Credit (AMSC) is the sum of your last 60 monthly salary credits before the semester of the separation, divided by 60. If it is higher, SSS uses all your salary credits divided by the number of contributions you paid instead.
Worked example
Marco was laid off when his company closed. His AMSC is ₱15,000.
- Monthly benefit = 50% × ₱15,000 = ₱7,500
- Total (2 months) = ₱15,000
| AMSC | Monthly benefit (50%) | Total for 2 months |
|---|---|---|
| ₱8,000 | ₱4,000 | ₱8,000 |
| ₱12,000 | ₱6,000 | ₱12,000 |
| ₱15,000 | ₱7,500 | ₱15,000 |
| ₱20,000 | ₱10,000 | ₱20,000 |
SSS may apply the Regular SS salary credit ceiling to the AMSC, so amounts for members with higher credits can differ. Check your figure in My.SSS.
How to claim
- Get proof of your involuntary separation from your employer. This is usually the notice of termination (an authorized-cause termination requires a written notice one month in advance) and your certificate of employment.
- Log in to My.SSS and file the unemployment benefit claim under the benefits section. SSS guidelines as indexed allow filing within one year from the date of separation.
- Enrol a disbursement account (bank or e-wallet) in My.SSS so SSS can pay you.
- Wait for SSS to process the claim. It pays the two monthly amounts to your registered account.
Keep paying your contributions as a voluntary member if you can, so you stay eligible for other benefits such as the sickness benefit and the maternity benefit.
What to claim from your employer at the same time
The SSS benefit does not replace what your employer owes you. On an involuntary separation you may be entitled to:
- Separation pay: 1 month per year of service for redundancy, or 1/2 month per year for retrenchment or closure not due to serious losses (minimum 1 month).
- Unpaid salary, prorated 13th month pay and cash for unused leave.
- The Certificate of Employment, which your employer must give within 3 days of your request.
Your employer should release the final pay within 30 days from your last day. Work out your numbers with the final pay calculator and read our guide to final pay rights and deadlines. For the 13th month part, see prorated 13th month pay.
Related reading
Sources: Social Security Act of 2018 (RA 11199 on lawphil.net), Sections 8(m) and 14-B; SSS. The one-year filing period and claim steps come from SSS guidance as indexed. For estimation only. Confirm with SSS.