Unemployment benefits are government-provided financial assistance programs. The goal of which is to support those who lost their jobs and are still looking for new employment.
While not known to many, the Philippines’ SSS provides unemployment benefits in the form of cash to those who fit the criteria. Here are some of the requirements you should know about, along with the process involved.
Qualifying Conditions for Unemployment Benefits
The SSS grants unemployment benefits to members who are involuntarily unemployed. This could be due to company downsizing, closure of operations, or cost-cutting measures being taken. Of course, this would mean that employees who lost their jobs due to misbehavior or negligence aren’t qualified. According to the SSS, these prohibit individuals from receiving the unemployment benefits:
- Serious misconduct
- Willful disobedience to lawful orders
- Gross and habitual neglect of duties
- Fraud or willful breach of trust/loss of confidence
- Commission of a crime or offense
- Analogous cases like abandonment, gross inefficiency, disloyalty
Generally, the individual should also not be older than 60, along with other age-related restrictions. The applicant should also meet the following criteria:
- Has made at least 36 monthly contributions
- 12 months of which should be in the 18-month period right before the involuntary separation
Applying for Unemployment Benefits
The process is fairly simple and can be done through the SSS’ members portal. Those looking to apply for unemployment benefits will need to present an original and photocopy of one of the following:
- UMID
- SS Card
- Alien Certificate of Registration
- Driver’s License
- Firearm Registration
- License to Own/Possess Firearms
- Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence
- NBI Clearance
- Passport
- Postal Identity Card
- Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book
- Voter’s ID
If none of the above are available, two different IDs can be used instead. However, both of them should have the person’s signature and at least one of the two includes a photo.
In addition, a DOLE certification is also required. For OFWs, a certification should be acquired instead from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).
The Amount of Unemployment Benefits
An qualified unemployed individual can receive 2 payments, each worth 50% of their average monthly salary credited (ASMC). For example, a person who earned PHP20,000 for 10 months and PHP30,000 for the following 10 months will have an ASMC of PHP25,000. He or she is entitled to 2 payments worth PHP12,500 each.
The money will be credited to the individual’s SSS UMID card, or to a UBP Quick Card Account.
Last Notes
Something that needs to be remembered when applying for unemployment benefits is that the documents provided should all have coherent information. The SSS has rejected thousands of applications over the recent years largely due to discrepancies.
You also don’t have to worry about paying back the cash received since this is a benefit, not a loan. Again, the goal of unemployment benefits is to help individuals get back on their feet after losing their jobs.
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