The Whats and Hows of Maternity Benefits in the Philippines

For some women, being a mother is one of the most gratifying roles they can have. Mothers will never stop loving, supporting, and inspiring their children from birth until they reach adulthood. And, despite poverty, the pandemic, job losses, and economic uncertainty, an increasing number of Filipino women are having mothers, which they regard as a great blessing.

In the Philippines, an average of 7,255 babies is born per day, or roughly 302 live births every hour. This amount contributes to the country’s overall population of 111 million people (as of August 2021) and accounts for 1.41 percent of the global population.

Currently, the government provides maternity benefits to Filipino moms through SSS and PhilHealth. The Expanded Maternity Leave Law has also raised the 60-day maternity leave duration to 105 days.

Are Filipino mothers, on the other hand, receiving the best government benefits? How do the Philippines’ SSS and PhilHealth maternity benefits compare to those in other countries? What types of government aid are available to new and expectant moms, particularly from the SSS and PhilHealth, and how may they access them?

In this post, you’ll learn more about maternity benefits, so keep on reading.

WHAT are the SSS and PhilHealth Maternity Benefits in the Philippines?

The State of the World’s Mothers Report, issued by the Save the Children Federation in 2015, ranks the top countries for mothers. The rankings were based on a variety of factors, including paid maternity leave, maternal health, and children’s well-being. The Philippines came up the 105th place out of 179 countries.

The country’s efforts, however, were recognized in the report, which included “improved service quality, special programs for mothers and children, public-private partnerships, investments in frontline health workers, structural reforms, and health care innovations introduced to local government units.”

The Philippines, in comparison to other countries, provides up to 15 weeks of paid maternity leave. However, the number of days isn’t the only element that has pushed these countries into the top ten.

In terms of child health interventions, medical facilities, and economic status, the Philippines lags behind. Nonetheless, according to the report, we have been effective in meeting the health needs of the poorest families. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), as well as the SSS and PhilHealth maternity benefits, are examples of government attempts to enhance the health and nutrition of families with children and pregnant women.

For the main event, here’s a list of Maternity Benefits that you should know:

SSS Maternity Benefits Guide

It’s crucial to understand what your maternity benefits are, how they function, and how you can use them as a paying member of the SSS and PhilHealth. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

WHAT is SSS Maternity Benefit?

The SSS provides a daily cash payment to covered female members who are unable to work owing to childbirth, miscarriage, or an emergency pregnancy termination (including stillbirth).

WHO Can Receive SSS Maternity Benefits in the Philippines?

Maternity benefits are available to female private employees, government employees, self-employed individuals, and national athletes covered by the SSS if they meet the following criteria:

• For women who work as private employees or are self-employed: Within the 12 months preceding the semester of delivery, miscarriage, or abortion, at least three monthly SSS contributions had been made (For example, if you expect to give birth in June 2021, you should have paid at least three monthly contributions from January 2019 to December 2019.)
• Notification and proof of pregnancy (ultrasound report, medical certificate, or pregnancy test stick) sent to the employer (for private workers), head of the agency (for government personnel), or directly to the SSS via the My.SSS portal or SSS Mobile App (for OFW, self-employed, and unemployed members)

SSS Benefits Under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law

1. Paid Maternity Leave

The SSS gives qualified SSS members a cash benefit equal to 100 percent of their average daily salary credit under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (Republic Act 11210).

The statute specifies that the paid leave can last up to a set number of days:

• 105 days for live childbirth, regardless if it’s a normal or cesarean delivery
• 120 days for single mothers who are giving birth (105 days plus additional 15 days)
• 60 days for women who had a miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy

Prior to the signing of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, the SSS only provided 60 days of paid leave for normal delivery and 78 days for a caesarian delivery. Mothers have more time to prepare for childbirth, recover after giving birth, and care for their newborns because of the lengthier maternity leave.

Your employer may be willing to extend your maternity leave beyond what the law requires. Check your employment contract and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or inquire with your human resources department.

Another difference brought about by the new maternity leave law is that there is no restriction on the number of pregnancies that are covered. You will receive maternity benefits from the SSS each time you give birth or have a miscarriage/stillbirth, regardless of how many times you become pregnant. Previously, SSS maternity benefits were only available for the first four childbirths or miscarriages.

2. Optional Maternity Leave Extension

SSS members who give birth may choose to extend their maternity leave for an extra 30 days without pay, in addition to the statutory 105 days of paid leave. You are eligible for a maternity leave extension if you notify your employer in writing 45 days before your maternity leave ends.

3. Optional Allocation of Maternity Leave to the Child’s Father

You can also transfer seven days of paid maternity leave to the baby’s father, whether or not you’re married to him. This only applies in the event of live birth.

If the kid’s father is deceased, missing, or unable to care for the child, you may transfer the seven-day leave credits to a family or current living partner, regardless of gender identity.

You must notify your employer if you are taking advantage of the voluntary maternity leave allotment. The father or alternate caregiver who will be receiving the leave credits must also inform his or her workplace.

HOW much will the SSS Maternity Benefit be in 2021?

Maternity benefits of up to PHP 80,000 are available to eligible SSS members. Members having a monthly salary credit (MSC) of PHP 20,000 qualify for the maximum benefit (those earning PHP 19,750 and above per month).

If you want to figure out how much you’ll get, here’s the method for calculating SSS maternity benefits:

SSS Maternity Benefit Computation:

The total amount of SSS maternity benefit = (Average monthly salary credit ÷ 180) x Number of paid leave days

HOW to Compute Maternity Benefits in SSS

Here are the procedures to calculate your SSS maternity benefits using the calculation above:

1. Exclude the semester of delivery or miscarriage from the computation. If your planned delivery date is June 2021, for example, eliminate the months of January to June 2021.
2. Count 12 months backward starting from the month right before the semester of delivery or miscarriage. The 12-month timeframe in the example above is from January to December 2020.
3. Get the sum of the six highest MSCs within the 12-month period. To find your MSC, refer to the SSS contribution table[9]. For example, if your monthly salary for January to December 2020 is PHP 30,000, your MSC is PHP 20,000. The sum of your six highest MSCs would be PHP 120,000 (PHP 20,000 x 6).
4. Divide your average MSC by 180 days. Calculate your average daily salary credit (ADSC), which is similar to your daily maternity allowance, by dividing your average MSC by 180 days. Your ADSC is PHP 666.67 if your average MSC is PHP 120,000.
5. Multiply your ADSC by the number of days you’re taking maternity leave. To calculate the entire amount of your SSS maternity benefit, multiply your ADSC by the number of days you’ll be on maternity leave. This equates to 105 days for normal or cesarean delivery, 120 days for single parents, and 60 days for miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth. If you’re going to transfer your leave credits to the child’s father or another caretaker, subtract seven days.

Sample SSS Maternity Benefit Computation

Based on the details above, here’s an example of how to compute your SSS maternity benefit.

• For normal/caesarian delivery: (PHP 120,000 ÷ 180) x 105 days = PHP 70,000
• For solo parents: (PHP 120,000 ÷ 180) x 120 days = PHP 80,000
• For miscarriage/abortion/stillbirth: (PHP 120,000 ÷ 180) x 60 days = PHP 40,000

That’s the amount you’ll receive from the SSS if your salary is in the maximum MSC of PHP 20,000.

Keep in mind that you should be paid in full for the duration of your maternity leave. Employers must pay the salary differential, which is the difference between their covered employees’ full income and the real cash benefit from the SSS, under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

WHEN Can I Get My SSS Maternity Benefit?

Your employer is required by law to pay your full maternity benefit within 30 days of your maternity leave being filed. The SSS will then repay you for the entire sum paid to you by your employer. The SSS will pay the benefit directly to self-employed or volunteer members.

SSS Maternity Benefit Online Application

Maternity benefits claims must be submitted online by May 31, 2021, as specified by Social Security Commission Resolution No. 189.s2021.

How to Apply for Maternity Benefits Online:

1. Log in to your My.SSS account as a member.
2. Under the E-services page, click Submit Maternity Benefit Application.
3. After reading the essential reminders, click Continue.
4. Fill in the essential information, then click Proceed to have your information validated and your eligibility for SSS maternity benefits confirmed.
5. Click Proceed after entering the remaining required information, such as Type of Claim and Disbursement Account.
6. Please provide the necessary supporting documentation. Click I Certify and Submit after reading the certification statement.
7. Take note of the transaction information that has been generated.
8. Check your email for a notification from the Social Security Administration (SSS) about your maternity benefit application.

When you apply for Maternity Benefit Application Adjustment, Maternity Benefit Reimbursement, or Adjustment of Maternity Benefit Reimbursement, the process is the same. Simply go to the E-services menu and select the appropriate tab.

HOW to Confirm Maternity Benefit Advance Receipt

You can check if you received your maternity benefit in advance in two ways: through the link provided in the SSS email or through My.SSS.

1. To reach the confirmation screen or log in to your My.SSS member account, click “Here” in the SSS email.
2. If you got a maternity benefit from your employer, select “I Confirm.”
3. To proceed, click “OK.”
4. Keep a record of the transaction number and the date when it was successfully confirmed.

FAQS on SSS Maternity Benefits

1. What do I need to apply for SSS Maternity Benefit online?

You must first create a My.SSS account. You must also enroll in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM), which can be done through My.SSS.

2. Can I file for SSS maternity benefit modifications online?

If you match any of the following criteria, you can file an adjustment application using your SSS online account:

• You’re a capable single parent.
• With a procedure, you’ll change the type of claim from normal to cesarean delivery, or from miscarriage to ectopic pregnancy.
• Your SSS calculation is higher than that of your employer.
• Additional contributions have been added to the site.
• The permitted number of days has been corrected.

3. Can I still use Dropbox to submit my SSS Maternity Benefit application?

Only applications for SSS maternity benefits submitted over the counter or by dropbox will be accepted until August 31, 2021.

The SSS, on the other hand, permits the submission of claims that meet the following criteria:

• Claims that were previously denied are now being evaluated for payment.
• A dead member’s unclaimed benefit
• An employer that is no longer operational, closed, terminated, or retired has unclaimed reimbursement.

4. Is it possible to guarantee receipt of the maternity benefit advance payment till a certain date?

Members who received their maternity benefits ahead of schedule must acknowledge receipt within seven days of the SSS email date.

5. What if I don’t get the advance payment or the confirmation receipt?

The Maternity Benefit Reimbursement Adjustment (MBRA) will be withdrawn, and your employer will have to re-file or re-submit the application as a new one.

6. Is it necessary for me to be legally married in order to be eligible for SSS maternity benefits in 2021?

Claimants are not required to be married to be eligible for maternity benefits under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law. Regardless of her civil status or the validity of the child, all female workers who have met the requisite number of payments are eligible for SSS maternity benefits.

Additionally, unmarried pregnant employees who provide supporting documents can apply as Solo Parent.

7. How long should I expect to receive my SSS maternity benefits?

Your employer should pay your maternity leave benefits within 30 days of receiving your application. Once proof of payments is presented, the SSS will repay your employer’s contribution.

8. Is it possible for my employer to fire me after I’ve used up all of my 105 days of vacation time?

Those who avail of the SSS maternity benefit shall have the security of tenure (Section 15). The use of leave credits should not be used to warrant a demotion or termination.

PhilHealth Maternity Benefits Guide

WHAT is PhilHealth Maternity Benefit?

Maternity benefits under PhilHealth are a type of social health insurance that gives women who are going to give birth financial access to health care before, during, and after childbirth. It provides qualified PhilHealth members with comprehensive necessary health care services throughout their pregnancy and childbirth.

WHO Is Eligible for Maternity Benefits from PhilHealth?

The following are the requirements for PhilHealth members to be eligible for maternity benefits:

• Membership in good standing with eligible PhilHealth donations
  • Employed Members: Before receiving maternity benefits, you must have made at least three monthly PhilHealth contributions during the previous six months.
  • Self-employed or unemployed voluntary members: Before receiving maternity benefits, you must have made at least nine monthly contributions.
  • OFW and sponsored members: The validity of your PhilHealth membership has expired.
• Have not reached the 45-day limit on regular benefits
• For at least 24 hours, you must be admitted to a PhilHealth-accredited institution.
• A PhilHealth-accredited doctor will be present.

Note: Under the Universal Healthcare Law, PhilHealth members can still get maternity benefits even if they don’t pay their monthly premiums on a regular basis, as long as they pay the required minimum number of contributions.

WHAT Maternity Benefits Does PhilHealth Offer?

PhilHealth is required to fulfill the health care needs of active pregnant members and their babies under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law through several maternity benefit packages.

1. Antenatal Care Package

• Prenatal counseling
• Health-care services that are absolutely necessary

2. Maternity Care Package

• During the whole pregnancy and until the mother gives delivery, essential health care services are provided.
• Three to seven days after labor, follow-up visits are scheduled.

3. Normal Spontaneous Delivery Package

• Services for normal, low-risk labor and the post-delivery period are essential.
• Three to seven days after labor, follow-up visits are scheduled.

4. Maternity Benefits for Other Types of Childbirth

In any authorized hospital, PhilHealth also covers health care services for caesarian deliveries and other types of deliveries, such as breech extraction.

5. Newborn Care Package

The following PhilHealth benefits are available to newborns in their initial hours of life, regardless of whether they were born via normal or caesarian delivery:

• Screening for newborns
• Hearing screening for newborns
• Essential newborn care (eye prophylaxis, weighing, first dosage of hepatitis B and BCG vaccines, etc.)

6. Z Benefits for Premature and Small Newborns

These are benefit packages for expectant mothers (between 24 and 36 weeks pregnant and between 6 and 7 weeks pregnant) who are at danger of early birth, as well as premature neonates (between 24 and 37 weeks pregnant) and small babies (500g to 2,499g fetal weight).

HOW Much is the Maternity Benefit in PhilHealth?

For qualifying members, PhilHealth covers the following childbirth expenses:

Check or amend your membership status with SSS and PhilHealth to ensure that you will get maternity benefits. Request a PhilHealth Member Data Record (MDR) and an SSS Static Information Sheet. You should also verify your SSS and PhilHealth contributions to see if they are being remitted by your company.

Know your rights, and use them wisely!