How to File for SSS Maternity Benefit
The SSS Maternity Benefit is a daily cash benefit granted to a qualified female member who is unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage. Under Republic Act No. 11210, also known as the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, qualified female members are entitled to 105 days of paid maternity leave for live childbirth, 120 days for solo parents, and 60 days for miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy. This comprehensive guide explains the eligibility requirements, benefit computation, documentary requirements, and the step-by-step filing process.
Maternity Benefit at a Glance
Benefit Amount
100% of the member's average daily salary credit (ADSC) multiplied by the number of days of maternity leave. The ADSC is computed based on the six (6) highest monthly salary credits (MSCs) in the 12-month period before the semester of delivery.
Duration
105 days for normal delivery (live childbirth), 120 days for solo parents (additional 15 days), and 60 days for miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy. An additional 30 days unpaid leave may be extended if needed.
Filing Period
The maternity notification should be filed before delivery. The reimbursement claim can be filed within 10 years from the date of delivery or miscarriage. Claims filed beyond 10 years are considered prescribed and will not be processed.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the SSS Maternity Benefit, a female member must meet the following requirements:
Contribution Requirement
- Must have at least 3 monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of childbirth or miscarriage
- The 12-month period is counted from the month before the semester of contingency
- Contributions need not be consecutive
Other Requirements
- Must be a female SSS member (employed, self-employed, voluntary, or OFW)
- Must have given notice of pregnancy to the SSS through the Maternity Notification form
- Must not be gainfully employed during the maternity leave period
- There is no limit on the number of deliveries or miscarriages for which the benefit can be claimed
Note: Under RA 11210, the 4-delivery limit has been removed. All qualified female members are entitled to maternity benefits regardless of the number of pregnancies. The benefit applies to every instance of childbirth or miscarriage, provided the contribution requirement is met.
Benefit Computation
The SSS Maternity Benefit is computed based on the member's average daily salary credit (ADSC). The ADSC is derived from the six (6) highest monthly salary credits (MSCs) posted within the 12-month period before the semester of contingency.
| Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) | Average Daily Salary Credit (ADSC) | 105 Days (Normal) | 120 Days (Solo Parent) | 60 Days (Miscarriage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P5,000 | P166.67 | P17,500 | P20,000 | P10,000 |
| P10,000 | P333.33 | P35,000 | P40,000 | P20,000 |
| P15,000 | P500.00 | P52,500 | P60,000 | P30,000 |
| P20,000 | P666.67 | P70,000 | P80,000 | P40,000 |
| P25,000 | P833.33 | P87,500 | P100,000 | P50,000 |
| P30,000 (Maximum) | P1,000.00 | P105,000 | P120,000 | P60,000 |
Formula: Maternity Benefit = ADSC x Number of Days. The ADSC is computed as: (Sum of 6 highest MSCs in the 12-month period) / 180 days. The benefit is equivalent to 100% of the ADSC.
Documentary Requirements
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| SSS Maternity Notification Form | Must be filed before the expected date of delivery. For employed members, the employer files this form. For self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members, the member files it directly with SSS. Can be filed online via My.SSS portal. |
| SSS Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application | Filed after delivery or miscarriage to claim the benefit. For employed members, the employer advances the benefit and files for reimbursement. For self-employed and voluntary members, file directly with SSS. |
| Ultrasound Result / Medical Certificate | Ultrasound result confirming pregnancy (for notification stage). Medical certificate from the attending physician may also be required, especially in cases of miscarriage or emergency termination. |
| Proof of Delivery / Miscarriage | Certified true copy of the child's birth certificate (for live births), or medical certificate / hospital records confirming miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy. For stillbirth, the death certificate of the child is required. |
| Solo Parent ID (if applicable) | Certified true copy of the Solo Parent Identification Card issued by the DSWD to claim the additional 15 days of maternity leave (120 days total). Must be valid and current. |
| Valid Government-Issued ID | At least one valid government ID with photo and signature (e.g., UMID, passport, driver's license, PhilSys/National ID, PRC ID). Bring the original and a photocopy. |
| Bank Account Details | Disbursement account information for direct deposit of the benefit. Members should have an enrolled savings account, UMID-ATM, or PESONet-participating bank account linked to their SSS record. |
Step-by-Step: How to File for SSS Maternity Benefit
The maternity benefit claim process involves two main stages: filing the maternity notification before delivery, and filing the reimbursement claim after delivery. Here is the complete process from start to finish.
File Maternity Notification (Before Delivery)
As soon as you know you are pregnant, file the SSS Maternity Notification form. This notifies SSS of your expected delivery date and is a prerequisite for claiming the benefit later. For employed members, the employer is responsible for filing the notification. For self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members, file the notification directly through the My.SSS portal online or at any SSS branch.
Tip: File the maternity notification as early as possible, ideally during the first trimester. While late notification is accepted, filing early ensures smoother processing of your claim later. You will need to attach an ultrasound result as proof of pregnancy.
Deliver / Give Birth
After delivery, secure the necessary proof of delivery documents. For live births, obtain a certified true copy of the child's birth certificate from the Local Civil Registry or PSA. For miscarriage or emergency termination, obtain a medical certificate from your attending physician and the hospital records documenting the event.
Important: Make sure the birth certificate or medical records are complete and accurate. Any discrepancies (wrong name, date, etc.) may delay the processing of your benefit claim.
File Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Claim
After delivery, file the SSS Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application together with all required supporting documents. For employed members, the employer advances the maternity benefit pay and then files for reimbursement from SSS. For self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members, file the claim directly at any SSS branch or through the My.SSS portal.
Documents to submit: Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application form, proof of delivery (birth certificate or medical certificate for miscarriage), Solo Parent ID (if applicable), and a valid government-issued ID. Ensure all documents are complete before filing.
SSS Processes the Claim
Once SSS receives the complete reimbursement application, they will verify the member's contributions, validate the documents, and compute the maternity benefit amount. Processing typically takes 10 to 30 business days depending on the completeness of the submitted documents and current volume of claims.
You can track the status of your claim through the My.SSS portal under "Claim Info > Maternity." If there are deficiencies in your documents, SSS will notify you and the processing will be on hold until the requirements are completed.
Receive Maternity Benefit
Once the claim is approved, the maternity benefit will be credited to your enrolled bank account via direct deposit (PESONet or UMID-ATM). For employed members, the employer is reimbursed by SSS for the amount advanced to the employee. The benefit is paid in one lump sum covering the entire maternity leave period.
Note: Make sure you have an active disbursement account linked to your SSS record. If you have not yet enrolled a bank account, you can do so through the My.SSS portal or at any SSS branch before filing your claim.
Complete Example: Maria Files for SSS Maternity Benefit
Maria is a 28-year-old office employee with a monthly salary of P20,000. She has been contributing to SSS for 3 years. She is pregnant with her first child and wants to file for her SSS maternity benefit. Here is how Maria went through the process:
Filed Maternity Notification
Maria informed her employer about her pregnancy during her first trimester. Her employer filed the SSS Maternity Notification form on her behalf through the employer portal. Maria attached her ultrasound result as proof of pregnancy. SSS acknowledged the notification and recorded her expected date of delivery.
Maria Gave Birth (Normal Delivery)
Maria gave birth to a healthy baby via normal delivery at a hospital. She obtained the child's birth certificate from the Local Civil Registry. Her 105-day maternity leave period officially started on the day of delivery.
Employer Filed Reimbursement Claim
Maria's employer advanced her maternity benefit pay covering 105 days and then filed the Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Application with SSS. The employer submitted the reimbursement form, a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, and other required documents.
SSS Processed and Approved the Claim
SSS verified Maria's contributions, confirmed her eligibility (she had more than 3 monthly contributions in the qualifying 12-month period), and computed her benefit amount. The claim was approved after 3 weeks.
Maria's Benefit Computation
Maria received P70,000 as her total SSS maternity benefit for 105 days of maternity leave. This amount was advanced by her employer and later reimbursed by SSS. If Maria were a solo parent, she would have received P80,000 for 120 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days of maternity leave am I entitled to?
Under RA 11210, female members are entitled to 105 days of paid maternity leave for live childbirth (whether normal delivery or cesarean section). Solo parents are entitled to an additional 15 days, for a total of 120 days. In cases of miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy, the leave is 60 days. An optional additional 30 days of unpaid leave is also available if requested.
Is there a limit on how many times I can claim the maternity benefit?
No. Under RA 11210, the previous limit of four (4) deliveries has been removed. All female SSS members can claim the maternity benefit for every instance of childbirth or miscarriage, regardless of the number of pregnancies, as long as the contribution requirement of at least 3 monthly contributions within the 12-month qualifying period is met each time.
Can I file my maternity benefit claim online?
Yes. The Maternity Notification can be filed online through the My.SSS portal (my.sss.gov.ph). Log in to your My.SSS account, go to E-Services, and select Maternity Notification. Upload the required ultrasound result. For the reimbursement claim, some transactions can be initiated online, but you may still need to submit physical copies of the supporting documents to the nearest SSS branch.
What if I forgot to file the maternity notification before delivery?
You can still file the maternity notification after delivery. While it is recommended to file before the expected date of delivery, SSS accepts late notifications. However, the reimbursement claim must be filed within 10 years from the date of delivery or miscarriage. Filing the notification late may slightly delay the processing of your benefit claim.
Can I transfer part of my maternity leave to the father?
Yes. Under RA 11210, a female member may allocate up to 7 days of her maternity leave to the child's father, whether or not they are married. This is separate from the 7-day Paternity Leave under RA 8187. The allocation must be indicated in the maternity notification or reimbursement application.
How long does it take to receive the maternity benefit?
For employed members, the employer advances the maternity benefit pay, so the member receives the benefit immediately during the maternity leave period. SSS then reimburses the employer within 10 to 30 business days after the complete reimbursement application is filed. For self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members who file directly with SSS, the benefit is credited to their enrolled bank account within 10 to 30 business days after filing.
What is the maternity benefit for cesarean section (CS) delivery?
Under RA 11210, the maternity leave benefit is the same regardless of the mode of delivery. Whether it is a normal delivery or cesarean section, the member is entitled to 105 days (or 120 days for solo parents). The previous distinction between normal and CS delivery has been removed by the Expanded Maternity Leave Law.
Important Reminders
- File your maternity notification early: Ideally during the first trimester of pregnancy. This ensures a smoother claim process after delivery. While late filing is accepted, early notification is always recommended.
- Ensure your contributions are up to date: You need at least 3 monthly contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of delivery. Check your contribution records through the My.SSS portal to confirm eligibility before filing.
- Employers must advance the maternity pay: Under the law, employers are required to advance the full maternity benefit to the employee and then seek reimbursement from SSS. Failure to do so is a violation of SSS law.
- File within the 10-year prescriptive period: The reimbursement claim must be filed within 10 years from the date of delivery or miscarriage. Claims filed after this period will no longer be accepted.
- Solo parents get additional 15 days: If you are a certified solo parent under RA 8972, you are entitled to 120 days of maternity leave instead of 105 days. Present your valid Solo Parent ID when filing.
- Enroll a bank account for disbursement: To receive your benefit through direct deposit, make sure you have an active savings account, UMID-ATM, or PESONet-participating bank account enrolled with SSS.
- No limit on number of deliveries: Under RA 11210, the previous 4-delivery limit has been removed. You can claim the maternity benefit for every pregnancy, provided you meet the contribution requirements each time.
- You may allocate 7 days to the father: You can transfer up to 7 days of your maternity leave to the father of the child. This must be indicated in your maternity notification or reimbursement form.
Need Help?
Contact SSS
- SSS Hotline: (02) 8920-6446 to 55
- Toll-Free: 1-800-10-2255-777
- Email: members_relations@sss.gov.ph
- Website: www.sss.gov.ph
- My.SSS Portal: my.sss.gov.ph
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (no noon break)
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the SSS branch or office you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest SSS branch or office first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.