Unemployment benefits picking up

Under the law, involuntarily separated employees are entitled to two months’ worth of benefits from the SSS.

Unemployment benefits for members of the Social Security System (SSS) is picking up as the agency reported significant benefits disbursement as of the third week of October.

“As of 21 October 2019, or more than two months since the pension fund started receiving applications for unemployment benefits, SSS paid a total of P84.27 million to 6,907 separated members,” the fund said.

According to the state-run pension fund, the Makati Gil-Puyat branch recorded the most benefit approvals with 943 applications, which equates to P13.76 million of the total stock. This was followed by Bacoor branch with 876 approved applications (P8.98 million), Pasig-Pioneer branch with 437 approved application (P6.10 million) and Cebu branch with the same 437 approved applications (P5.16 million).

SSS President and CEO Aurora Ignacio said these were financial assistance to members who have been involuntary separated from their respective jobs.

“We are now seeing the fruits of labor of our lawmakers, stakeholders and SSS representatives who have crafted the Social Security Act of 2018. We are able to provide cash benefits to the qualified members who needed the SSS the most when they unexpectedly lost their jobs,” Ignacio said.

“SSS members who were involuntarily separated from work starting 5 March 2019 onwards are covered by (the) unemployment benefit,” she added.

Under the law, involuntarily separated employees are entitled to two months’ worth of benefits from the SSS.

The SSS chief reminded applicants that involuntary separation includes the installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment, closure or cessation of operation and disease or illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his or his co-worker’s health.