How to File for a Late Registration of Birth

A child must be registered at the Local Civil Registry office within 30 days after his birth.  If the parents fail to do that, the child will not have a valid birth certificate and there will be no basis for the details of his birth.

If you register your child beyond the 30-day deadline, his birth certificate will be tagged “Delayed Registration” or “Late Registration”.  Apart from the customary information you need to provide on the certificate such as the name, birth date and birthplace, and parents’ information, you also need to state why you failed to register the child’s birth on time.

Any person who has never had a birth certificate may file for the late registration of his birth, anytime.  What is important is that you be able to secure an authenticated copy of the birth certificate, making sure that you are properly registered as a citizen of the Philippines.

If you want to know more about late registration of birth, here is a comprehensive article we found in the Citizen Services website.

How to Register as a PhilHealth Voluntary Member

Pinoys have yet to fully accept the values and benefits of being insured.  Whether it is a life or medical insurance, every working Filipino must be protected from the inevitable.  When unfortunate situations arise – a family member gets sick, a child meets an accident – it is best to be prepared.

If you are employed by the government or by a private firm, it is most likely that you are granted a medical insurance sponsored by your employer.  This is a good thing to have, especially if it is extended to your family.  However, this is only applicable while you are salaried by your employer.  The moment you quit your job (or it quits you!), you lose the privilege and will be left on your own to manage when you or someone in your family gets sick.

That is why it is important that you have yourself enlisted as a member of the PhilHealth, if you haven’t yet.  The PhilHealth voluntary membership is open to anyone who does not have a fixed employment, not a senior citizen, not an indigent member, or sponsored member of the PhilHealth.

Who are qualified to become voluntary PhilHealth members?

1. OFWs – documented or undocumented Filipino workers abroad.
2. Self-employed professionals – self-earning individuals such as entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, and freelancers whose income is generated from their profession or business.
3. Informal sector workers – people working in the informal economy, including jeepney and tricycle drivers, street and market vendors, and small construction workers.
4. Dual citizens – Filipinos who also hodl citizenship in another country.
5. Naturalized Filipino citizens – foreigners who have become Filipino citizens through naturalization.
6. Expats – foreign workers who live in the Philippines with valid working permits or Alien Certificate of Registration.

What documentary requirements do you need to prepare when applying?

You only need a duly accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and submit this to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office or PhilHealth Express outlet.

You will then be issued a Member Data Record or MDR and an ID card after your application has been reviewed.  Your PhilHealth ID number will serve as your lifetime PhilHealth number and must be used as reference when you pay your contributions to the cashier.

Online application is also available!

1. Go to the PhilHealth Electronic Registration System.
2. Click on “Proceed”.
3. Read the Terms and Conditions, tick the small box below, and click “Accept”.
4. On the PhilHealth online registration form, enter the required information.
5. Upload your document in jpeg, pdf, gif, or png format.  (optional)
6. Enter the provided Captcha code, tick the small box below, and click “Submit Registration”.

Access your email for the instructions on how to complete the rest of your application.  Take note of your transaction number as this will serve as your reference number to your registration.

How much should be my contribution?

Members earning PHP 25,000 or below every month must pay a quarterly contribution of PHP 600 (or PHP 200 per month / PHP 2,400 per year).

Members earning over PHP 25,000 must pay PHP 900 for the quarter (or PHP 300 per month / PHP 3,600 per year).

It costs so little to become a bona fide PhilHealth member, but the assurance of knowing that you are covered by the PhilHealth when emergencies strike will far outweigh the price you think you are paying now.

Visit the nearest PhilHealth office now and have yourself signed up as a member.

Reference: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph

Is Your Child Eligible to Enroll In Kindergarten and Grade 1 This School Year?

The Department of Education has announced the age cut-off policy for incoming Kindergarten and Grade 1 students for school year 2018-2019.  Find out if your little one is qualified to step up!

1. Children who are five years old by June 1 of every calendar year shall be accepted in Kindergarten by both public and private schools.
2. Learners entering Kindergarten who will turn five years old by the end of August may be considered by schools provided that they are administered with the Philippine Early Childhood Development (ECD) checklist before the school year opens.
3. Recognizing the difference in school year opening among schools, Kindergarten learners should be five years old by July 1, with an extension period until September 30, if their schools open the school year in July; and by August 1, with an extension period until October 31, if their schools open the school year in August.
4. Learners who completed Kindergarten in SY 2017-2018 shall be allowed to enroll in Grade 1, given that they turned five years old within SY 2017-2018.
5. Learners who will turn five years old within SY 2018-2019 shall be accepted in Kindergarten granted that they pass the Philippine ECD checklist.
6. Incoming Kindergarten for SY 2019-2020 must strictly comply with the cut-off age policy.

The above provisions were announced by DepEd, following the issuance of the “Amendment to DepEd Order No. 47, S. 2016” otherwise known as the “Omnibus Policy on Kindergarten Education.  These policies are applicable to both public and private schools and providing for transitory provisions to accommodate Kindergarten and Grade One enrollees for SY 2018-2019 and SY 2019-2020.

Reference: http://www.deped.gov.ph

 

 

How To Apply for the SSS Loan Restructuring Program

On Monday, April 2, 2018, the Social Security System (SSS) will once again open its doors to members who with unpaid obligations with the agency.  This is another opportunity that the state-run pension  fund is extending to members to allow them to settle overdue loans and regain their good standing with the SSS to avoid problems with their claims later on.

Who can benefit from this offer?

The SSS will condone penalties of member borrowers, making special mention of those who were affected by the Marawi siege and Mayon Volcano eruption.

How will members benefit from the program?

Members with delinquent accounts will not have the opportunity to settle their overdue loan principal and interests – in full payment or through installment basis – with respect to the SSS’ terms, depending on the member’s capacity to pay.

Whether the member is paying in full or through installment basis, the SSS will waive the loan penalties after the member has completed payment for the restructured loan.

Below is a summary of the program’s provisions, for reference:

• Past due payments for the following loans:
  • Salary loan
  • Emergency loan
  • Old educational loan
  • Study Now, Pay Later Plan
  • Voc-tech loans,
  • Y2K loans,
  • Investments Incentive Loan
  • Other loans that were past due for at least six months as of April 2, 2018.
• An interest rate of 3% will be implemented for restructured loans.
• Penalties will be condoned upon full payment, with option to renew the loan after six months.
• Members will be back to “good standing” with the SSS, be able to apply for new loans, and be assured of fully enjoying their final benefit claims in the future.
• Members who were granted condonation in the last loan restructuring program of the SSS will no longer be accommodated.

Visit the nearest SSS branch office in your area now to know more about this offer.  The SSS Loan Restructuring Program will be available until October 1, 2018.

Reference: www.sss.gov.ph

List of Schools with Free Tuition Fee for School Year 2018

There are a total of 112 state universities and colleges and about 78 local universities and colleges that are covered by the free tuition fee law signed by the President last week.  We are sharing the list of schools that are expected to comply with the free tuition fee law beginning June 2018.

National Capital Region

• Eulogio ‘Amang’ Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology
• Marikina Polytechnic College
• Philippine Normal University
• Philippine State College of Aeronautics
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• Rizal Technological University
• Technological University of the Philippines
• University of the Philippines System
• Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
• Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa

Region I – Ilocos Region

• Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
• Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College
• Mariano Marcos State University
• North Luzon Philippines State College
• Pangasinan State University
• University of Northern Philippines
• Ilocos Sur Community College
• University of Eastern Pangasinan
• Binalatongan Community College
• Urdaneta City University

Cordillera Administrative Region

• Abra State Institute of Science and Technology
• Apayao State College
• Benguet State University
• Ifugao State University
• Kalinga State University
• Mountain Province State University

Region II – Cagayan Valley

• Batanes State College
• Cagayan State University
• Isabela State University
• Nueva Vizcaya State University
• Quirino State University

Region III – Central Luzon

• Aurora State College of Technology
• Bataan Peninsula State University
• Bulacan Agricultural State College
• Bulacan State University
• Central Luzon State University
• Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University
• Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
• Pampanga State Agricultural University
• Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
• Ramon Magsaysay Technological University
• Tarlac College of Agriculture
• Tarlac State University
• Mabalacat College
• Baliuag Polytechnic College
• Bulacan Polytechnic College
• City College of Angeles
• City College of San Fernando, Pampanga
• Eduardo L. Joson Memorial College
• Guagua Community College
• Kolehiyo ng Guiguinto
• Kolehiyo ng Subic
• Limay Polytechnic College
• Norzagaray College
• Pambayang Dalubhasaan ng Marilao
• Polytechnic College of Botolan
• Polytechnic College of the City of Meycauayan

 Region IV-A – CALABARZON

• Batangas State University
• Cavite State University
• Laguna State Polytechnic University (Laguna State Polytechnic College)
• Sourthern Luzon State University
• University of Rizal System
• Balian Community College
• City College of Calamba
• Colegio de Montalban
• Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batanga
• Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng Batangas
• Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng Lucena
• Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa
• Laguna University
• Pambayang Kolehiyo ng Mauban
• San Mateo Municipal College
• Trece Martires City College
• Antipolo Institute of Technology (AiTech)
• Tanauan City College (TCC)
• Pamantasan ng Cabuyao (PNC)
• Dalughasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
• City College of Tagaytay (CCT)

Region IV-B – MIMAROPA

• Marinduque State College
• Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology
• Occidental Mindoro State College
• Palawan State University
• Romblon State University
• Western Philippines University
• Baco Community College
• MIMAROPA City College of Calapan

Region V – Bicol Region

• Bicol University
• Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology
• Camarines Norte State College
• Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
• Catanduanes State University
• Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
• Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology
• Partido State University
• Sorsogon State College
• Community College of Manito
• Ligao Community College
• Baao Community College
• Calabanga Community College
• Caramoan Community College
• City College of Naga
• Daraga Community College
• Libon Community College
• Oas Community College
• Polangui Community College
• Rapu-Rapu Community College
• San Jose Community College
• Sorsogon Community College
• Donsol Community College (DCC)
• San Pascual Polytechnic College (SPPC)
• Aroroy Municipal College (AMC)
• Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community Colleges

Region VI – Western Visayas

• Aklan State University
• Capiz State University
• Carlos C. Hilado Memorial State College
• Guimaras State College
• Iloilo State College of Fisheries
• Central Philippines State University
• Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College
• Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology
• University of Antique
• Iloilo Science and Technology University
• West Visayas State University
• Iloilo City Community College (ICCC)
• Passi City College
• Libacao College of Science and Technology
• Bago City College

Region VII – Central Visayas

• Bohol Island State University
• Cebu Normal University
• Cebu Technological University
• Negros Oriental State University
• Siquijor State College
• Buenavista Community College
• Carcar City College
• Sibonga Community College
• Trinidad Municipal College

Region VIII – Eastern Visayas

• Eastern Samar State University
• Eastern Visayas State University
• Leyte Normal University
• Naval State University
• Northwest Samar State University
• Palompom Polytechnic State University
• Samar State University
• Southern Leyte State University
• University of Eastern Philippines
• Visayas State University
• Maasin City College

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

• H. Cerilles State College
• Jose Rizal Memorial State University
• Western Mindanao State University
• Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College
• Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology
• Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Government College (ZdSPGC)

Region X – Northern Mindanao

• Bukidnon State University
• Camiguin Polytechnic State College
• Central Mindanao University
• University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – Cagayan De Oro Campus
• MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology
• University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – Claveria Campus
• Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology
• Pangantucan Bukidnon Community College (PBCC)
• Magsaysay College
• Initao College
• Alfonso D. Tan College
• Northern Bukidnon Community College
• Opol Community College
• Tagoloan Community College

Region XI – Davao Region

• Compostela Valley State College
• Davao Del Norte State College
• Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology
• Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology
• University of Southern Philippines
• Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology (KCAST)
• Governor Generoso College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology (GGCAST)
• Monkayo College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology
• Kolehiyo ng Pantukan (KNP)

Region XII – Main SOCCSKSARGEN

• Cotabato State University
• Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology
• Sultan Kudarat State University
• University of Southern Mindanao
• Glan Institute of Technology
• Makilala Institute of Science and Technology
• Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
• Adiong Memorial Polytechnic State College
• Basilan State College
• Mindanao State University
• MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography
• Sulu State College
• Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College

Region XIII – Caraga Administrative Region

• Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology
• Caraga State University (Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology)
• Surigao del Sur State University
• Surigao State College of Technology
• Hinatuan Southern College

According to the CHED, the recipients of the free tuition fee privilege shall be required to render services to their respective colleges and universities.  Menial tasks like providing assistance in the library and other similar activities may be required by the school administration from qualified students.  Whatever these tasks are going to be, the schools must make sure that the service does not get in the way of the students’ academic requirements and study time.

A student’s tuition and miscellaneous fees will be waived for as long as:

1. They pass or meet the admission and retention policies of the institution;
2. They have no previous undergraduate degree; and
3. They are not overstaying.

Needless to say, schools will now be more stringent in monitoring their students’ grades to make sure that the privilege is not abused and the objectives of the law are met.  At the end of the day, what we all want is for every Filipino, regardless of economic status, to be provided with quality education and equipped to perform in the corporate or business arena later on.

Reference: www.ched.gov.ph

 

 

How Does SSS Compute Your Retirement Benefit?

As an SSS member, you are entitled to retirement benefits as soon as you hit your 60s.  This can be a lump sum amount that you can use to start a small business, or go on a trip as a reward to yourself.  Or you can choose to receive a monthly pension, as if you are still being salaried monthly by an employer.

Can you at least have a ball park figure of how much pension you can expect to receive from the SSS later on?  You may still have about 40 years ahead of you before you hit your 60s but it won’t hurt to get a glimpse.  This way, you can think of alternative ways to secure your finances when you finally become a Senior Citizen.

SSS follows three formulas when computing for a member’s pension.  Keep in mind too that the amount of your pension will largely depend on the salary you received during your employment years, and the amount of contribution you religiously remitted to the system.

If your monthly salary is P30,000.00 and you decide to retire at the age of 60, and you have a total of 30 years of employment behind you with 30 years’ worth of contributions, your pension will be based on whichever amount is higher based on the following calculations:

Example: Average total contribution is P1,790.00 x 30 years x 12 months = P644,400.00

a. The sum of P300 + 20% of average MSC + 2% of the average MSC for each credited year of service in excess of 10 years.

P300 + 20% (AMSC) + 2% (AMSC) for each year of service in excess of 10 years

P300 + (P16,000*20%) + (P16,000 *2%*20 years)

P300 + P3,200 + P6,400

Pension: P9,900.00

 

b. 40% of the AMSC

P16,000 * 40%

Pension: P6,400.00

 

c. P1,200 if the CYS is at least 10 but less than 20; or P2,400 if the CYS is 20 or more.

Pension: P2,400 since you have more than 20 CYS.

Given the above, the retiree will be granted the P9,900 pension as it is the highest value yielded by any of the formulas.

Remember that you shall qualify as a pensioner only if you have contributed at least 120 months or 10 years to the SSS.  If not, you shall be granted a lump sum amount equivalent to your total contribution plus interests.

Most of us may still have about 20 or so years to go before we start thinking about retiring and claiming our monthly pension; but if we start right now, we would be reaping the rewards in due time.  It is our responsibility to ourselves and our families to secure our future and make sure that we shall be properly compensated for all the hard work.

One way to monitor the timely and proper posting of your contributions is by creating an online SSS account.  This way, you can check all the details of your SSS account even without going to an SSS office.

 

Reference: http://www.sss.gov.ph

 

SSS Sickness Benefit: Everything You Need to Know

Getting sick is inevitable.  Whether you are an employee, a business person, or a stay-at-home parent, you will eventually have to take some rest to recuperate from a viral or bacterial infection.  Other times, you might get injured at work and will need some time off to heal and rehabilitate before you are able to go back to your normal daily routine.

The good news is, if you are a member of the SSS, you are entitled to sickness benefits to help you defray expenses when your capacity to earn is lessened due to being confined in bed, a wheelchair, or a hospital.

How to know if you are qualified for SSS Sickness Benefits?

1. You have to be an SSS member.
2. You have been sick or are injured and unable to work; you have been confined in a hospital or at home for at least 4 days.
3. Your contributions are updated or have at least paid three months of monthly contributions before your illness or injury.
4. All your “leave with pay” credits have been used up.
5. Your employer is duly notified of your sickness or injury; if unemployed, voluntary, or self-employed, you must have notified SSS prior to claiming.

If your answer to all five qualifiers is “yes”, you can proceed to the nearest SSS branch to apply for the sickness benefit.

How do I notify the SSS about my illness or injury?

For EMPLOYED members:

An employed member must advise his or her employer within five calendar days of his sickness or injury.  It is the employer’s obligation to advise SSS of the employee’s condition.

• Should you fail to notify your employer within the five-day timeframe, your confinement will be considered to have started five days before you notified him.
• If the employer fails to notify the SSS within the five-day timeframe, your employer will be compensated only for each day of confinement from the 10^th calendar day prior to notifying SSS.
• If you notified your employer but he failed to notify the SSS and as a result, your benefits were denied, he or she must not be able to recover your daily sickness allowance.

For SELF-EMPLOYED members:

You must notify the SSS within five days after getting sick or injured.  If you are confined in a hospital, you have one year to notify the SSS.

What are the requirements when filing?

For EMPLOYED members:

Submit the following to your HR or to your company’s representative to SSS:

1. Duly accomplished sickness notification.
2. Identification card/s and documents (ex: PSA birth certificate)
3. Medical documents, if any.

If the claim is work-related (or if you incurred the sickness or injury at work):

1. Accident/sickness report from the employer, if work-connected; and
2. Police Report (for a vehicular accident with third party involvement);
3. Photocopy of employer’s logbook.

In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:

• Laboratory, X-ray, ECG, and other diagnostic results.
• Operating room/clinical records that will support the diagnosis.

In case of sickness that occurred while on strike/shutdown, the member will file the necessary documents directly at the SSS.  He or she must submit the above requirements, including the following:

• Certificate of Notice of Strike issued by the DOLE.
• Certificate of Foreclosure.
• Certification from the DOLE that the employee or employer has a pending labor case.
• Certificate of Non-advancement of Payment from Employer.

For SELF-EMPLOYED Members:

1. Duly accomplished Sickness Benefit Application (SBA)
2. If filed by the member, present original of any one (1) of the primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with a photo.
3. If filed by member’s representative:
   1. Original of any one of the Authorized Representative’s primary ID cards/documents or two secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one with a photo.
   2. Original of any one of the Member’s Primary ID cards/documents or two secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one with a photo.
4. In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:
   1. Laboratory, X-ray, ECG and other diagnostic results.
   2. Operating room/clinical records that will support the diagnosis.

How much will I receive from the SSS?

The amount you will receive will be equal to 90& of your average daily salary credit.  For example: if your average daily credit is Php 1,000, then you will receive Php 900 per day of sickness or confinement.

If you are an employed member, your employer should give you the sickness benefit in advance.

The sickness benefit is granted up to a maximum of 120 days in one calendar year.

 

Reference: http://www.sss.gov.ph

Everything You Need to Know About Your SSS Salary Loan

Every member of the SSS is entitled to benefits and privileges and you do not necessarily have to wait until your retirement age before you take advantage of these.  One such privilege is applying for a salary loan to help you during emergencies such as home repair expenses, hospitalization, and new home appliances.  Applying for an SSS salary loan is quick and easy, especially if you have an online SSS account.

Here are the facts you need to know:

How much can you loan from the SSS if it is your first time to apply?

No two SSS members have the same exact loanable amounts; this will depend on the member’s contributions.  Your loanable amount is the average of the last 12-month salary credits (MSC).

Example:

If you are consistently paying the minimum monthly contribution of P110 with an equivalent MSC of P1,000, your loanable amount is P1,000.

If you are consistently paying the maximum monthly contribution of P1,760 with an equivalent MSC of P16,000, your loanable amount is P16,000.

The maximum loanable amount is P32,000.

How would I know if I am qualified to avail the salary loan?

A member is qualified to apply for a salary loan if he or she has paid at least 36 monthly contributions and has at least six posted monthly contributions within the last 12 months before filing the application.

If you have completed 36 months of contributions but not more than 72 monthly contributions, you will be entitled to one-month salary loan; but if you have paid at least 72 monthly contributions, you are entitled to a two-month salary loan.

I am employed and would like to apply for a salary loan with the SSS.  Should I apply through my employer or do I have the option to go directly to SSS?

A certification for the loan is required of employed members; therefore, if you are employed, you must apply through your employer.  The monthly payments will be automatically deducted from your salary and remittances will be facilitated by your employer.

I am compelled to resign from my job but I still have an outstanding loan with the SSS.  What will happen to my loan after I resign?

The employer will deduct the full balance from the proceeds of the employee’s benefits from the company; the employer shall remit the amount to the SSS.  In case the employee’s separation benefits cannot cover the full amount of the loan, the employer must report the details of the employee’s resignation to the SSS, including the full amount of unpaid loan balance.

I am a freelancer but I would like to get a salary loan from the SSS; what are the requirements and how do I apply?

The same requirements apply for freelance SSS members:

1. The member should have paid at least 36 monthly contributions and has at least 6 posted monthly contributions within the last 12 months before the month of filing of the application.
2. A member who has paid at least 36 months but not more than 72 monthly contributions is entitled to a one-month salary loan while those with at least 72 paid monthly contributions are entitled to a two-month salary loan.

If you are not employed by a company, you may simply file your salary loan at any SSS branch.  Fill-out an application form and photocopy your SSS ID or UMID, or any two valid IDs.

How will the proceeds of my loans be released to me?

The SSS will send a check in your name to your employer. You may have to fill out a few more documents, depending on your employer’s requirements.  Otherwise, you may just have to return the voucher attached to your check to your employer to serve as their record of your loan.  Your loan payments will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary.

You may renew your loan after paying at least 50% of your salary loan.  It is advisable that you keep an online account with the SSS so you can keep track of your payments.

If you have any questions regarding your SSS membership, send us a message and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Reference: www.sss.gov.ph

What is the SSS Part 2: The SSS Contribution Table for 2018 and Other Facts

Yesterday we featured the basic information on the Social Security System to help first-time members and SSS applicants appreciate how the social insurance system works.  Now we know that every Filipino, whether employed, self-employed, or unemployed, must have a Social Security number to become entitled to the benefits that the government agency offers.

There are two types of coverage under the SSS, one is the Compulsory Coverage which includes Employers, Employees, and Self-employed individuals.  Another type of coverage is the Voluntary Coverage or the non-mandatory registration and payment of social security contributions.

Who belongs under the Voluntary Coverage category?

1. Voluntary Members (VM)
   1. Individuals previously covered as an SSS member (could be an EE, SE, or OFW);
   2. Must have posted at least one contribution;
   3. No longer employed, self-employed, or listed as an active OFW; he or she must not have any source of income.
   4. Chose to continue paying his SSS contributions to secure his full benefits.
2. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
   1. A Filipino who has sought employment abroad via recruitment of foreign-based employers;
   2. Source of income is from a foreign country; or
   3. A Filipino who resides permanently in a foreign country.
3. Non-Working Spouse (NWS)
   1. A spouse who is not employed and does not have any other source of income;
   2. He or she must be fully devoted to managing the household without any side businesses from which he or she may be deriving income.

 When does coverage of members take effect?

Your SSS insurance coverage shall take effect depending on the type of coverage you have.

1. ER – on the first day that the employee is hired.
2. EE – on the first day of the individual’s employment.
3. SE –

• On the month and year of the SE’s first monthly contribution payment, and must not be earlier than the declared “Start of Business” in the SSS Form E-1;
• Or retroactive on the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment.

4. OFW – On the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment based on the payment deadline for OFWs.
5. NWS – On the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment.

The SSS Schedule of Contributions for 2018

As a member of the SSS, you must have a copy of the schedule of contributions to avoid delays in your payments.

FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES

 

FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERS AND OFWs

Apart from that, the SSS now requires both employers and employees to have an online SSS account.  This allows you to check the posting of your contributions and other details you need to know about your membership, even when you do not have access to an SSS branch office.  You may also apply for a salary loan right from your online account; it is a convenient and secure way of availing one of your many privileges as an SSS member.

Want to know how your pension will be computed and if you have the option to withdraw it before you reach your retirement age?  Visit us again tomorrow.

If you have questions about your SSS membership, drom us a line and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Reference: http://www.sss.gov.ph

Can You Apply for the Late Registration of Birth of a Deceased Person?

Mang Roy was a famous farmer in their barrio.  His success story, from being a humble tenant who plants and harvests for landlords, to being one of the wealthiest landowners and supplier of root crops, fruits, and vegetables in their province, is well-known in their barangay.  When he retired from farming at the age of 62, he has successfully established his family’s properties and remained to be the largest supplier of milled rice in their region.

Sadly though, Mang Roy passed away shortly after handing over the operations of their farms to his eldest daughter. After his death, his family decided to subdivide part of Mang Roy’s farmland, the areas that he set apart for his children’s inheritance.

Through the help of a lawyer, the documents needed to transfer the land’s titles to Mang Roy’s children were filed at the Registry of Deeds.  Everything went smoothly until the ROD required the children to submit a copy of Mang Roy’s birth certificate.

His wife requested for a copy at the Philippine Statistics Authority although, at the back of her mind, she knows that she has never seen a copy of her husband’s birth certificate.  She recalls him saying once that he doesn’t have a birth certificate.

True enough, their request returned void; they were instead handed a negative certificate – meaning, Mang Roy’s birth is not registered.  When they inquired how they can get a copy of Mang Roy’s birth certificate, they were advised to apply for a late registration of birth at the LCR in Mang Roy’s birthplace.

Late registration of birth happens when a child remains unregistered at the Local Civil Registry of his birthplace for more than 30 days after his birth.  For various reasons, parents fail to report their child’s birth to the municipal hall and as a result, these children grow up without a record of their birth.  Not having a birth certificate is not a complicated matter since all you have to do is submit the person’s information for proper registration.  It becomes complicated when the person you wish to register is already dead.

Although the requirements for late registration are pretty simple (an original copy of your Baptismal Certificate and a Certified True Copy of the person’s Marriage Certificate), these may prove to be inutile since the person who needs to be registered is already dead.  However, without Mang Roy’s birth certificate, his children may not be granted their inheritance.

Their family lawyer advised them to execute a Joint Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons – an attestation from two individuals who are not related to Mang Roy’s family but are fully aware of Mang Roy’s identity and roots.  This affidavit shall support the details of Mang Roy’s birth date and birthplace.  This, together with the negative certificate given by the PSA, shall then be submitted to the Registry of Deeds to fulfill the requirement for Mang Roy’s birth certificate.

Mang Roy’s children sought the kind help of their former landlords and the tenants of their farmlands.  All these people knew their father from as far back as when he was starting as a humble farmer and are all qualified to execute the needed affidavit.  As soon as the documents were notarized, Mang Roy’s children trooped to the ROD, submitted the documents, and explained to the clerk that their father’s birth was never registered and he did not have a birth certificate all his life.

Fortunately, the RDO accepted the documents and released the land titles of each of Mang Roy’s children.

It is important for all Filipinos to be duly registered at the LCR of their birthplaces and to have a copy of his birth certificate all the time.  If your parents still do not have birth certificates, find time to register them at their birthplaces so they would be properly accounted for by the PSA.  Every member of your household must have a copy of their PSA birth certificate, printed on the PSA’s Security Paper.

Reference: www.psa.gov.ph