Our post about SSS contribution while on maternity leave was received well by both female employees and newbie HR practitioners. As a result, we received another Q, this time about availing Sickness Benefit:
I am on leave due to threatened abortion, can I file for “sickness benefit” with SSS since I don’t have leave credits anymore? My employer also held my salary because of my prolonged absence.
Likewise, I have an existing salary loan with SSS which I availed when I was with my pervious company. Will the balance be deducted from my maternity benefit?
Since I’m no expert on compensation and benefits, we sought an answer from subject matter experts in our community, and here’s the gist of their responses:
Threatened abortion, since it’s prior to delivery, can be filed as sickness benefit. That is, IF sick leaves and vacation leaves has been exhausted.
On the existing loan obligation, salary loan and maternity benefit are two different SSS benefits. So NO, the salary loan should not be deducted from maternity benefit proceeds.
Are you involve in compensation and benefits administration? Care to share your experience in processing sickness benefit?
Can I avail sss sickness benefit prior to my maternity leave. My ob gyne advised me to take a bedrest until my sched for cs. Na confined kasi ako sa hospital dahil nagbleeding ako. 29 weeks pa lang akong Buntis. Meron pang 45 days before my sched. Ma claim ko ba ang sickness benefit?
the general rule is, if SL has been exhausted, sickness benefit can be used.
with regards to your Q, you have to discuss this with SSS how to treat the advise of your OB.
i am voluntary paying sss member for a year now but eversince employed since 2004. last may 24 i was advised by my ob to be on bed rest due to threatened abortion for 2 weeks. but it was extended up to june 28 after my 3 days confinement at the hospital. can I also avail of this sickness benefit? is this just the usual notification that I need to file at sss? what are the requirements? thank you
hi ma’am, better direct your concern directly to SSS