The Social Security System (SSS) continues to extend the deadlines for filing sickness notifications and sickness benefit claims, until the lifting of all types of community quarantines being implemented in the country.
SSS said in a statement yesterday the deadlinesto file sickness notification (SN), sickness benefit application (SBA) and sickness benefit reimbursement application remain extended for sicknesses or injuries occurring from March 1, 2020.
Aurora Ignacio, SSS president and chief executive officer, said the SSS implemented the extension since May 2020 to help members and covered employers avoid reduction in their sickness benefits or have rejected claims.
“We understand the current situation that our stakeholders are facing. This is the reason why we provided these more flexible guidelines in their favor,” Ignacio said.
The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid to a qualified member for the number of days he/she is unable to work due to sickness or injury.
With the extension of the period for filing, employee members are given 60 calendar days after the lifting of the community quarantine to submit their SN forms for home confinement to their employers.
Employers are also given 60 calendar days after the receipt of the said forms to submit them to the SSS. If the country is still on community quarantine on the last day of submission, the employer may still submit the said form within 60 days after the lifting of the community quarantine.
Likewise, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members are given 60 calendar days to submit their SBA forms for home confinement to the SSS after the lifting of the community quarantine.
Moreover, sickness benefit claims for home and hospital confinement of self-employed, voluntary and OFW members and employed members for employer reimbursement claims will not be reduced or denied if the deadline of the filing period falls on March 1, 2020, until the end of the community quarantine.
Sickness benefit claims may still be filed within 60 calendar days after the lifting of the community quarantine, SSS said.
Under normal circumstances, employee members must submit their SN forms to their employers within five calendar days. Employers must submit these forms to the SSS within five calendar days after its receipt from their employees.
Self-employed and voluntary members must submit their SBA forms to the SSS within five calendar days after the start of confinement, while OFW members are given 35 calendar days to do so after the start of confinement. — Angela Celis
