SSS: Members na nag-home quarantine dahil sa COVID-19 puwedeng mag-apply sa Sickness Benefit Program

ni Jasmin Joy Evangelista | January 21, 2022

Maaaring mag-avail ng Sickness Benefit Program ang mga empleyadong SSS member na nag-home quarantine matapos tamaan ng COVID-19.

Ayon sa SSS, ang mga members na hindi nakapagtrabaho dahil sa sakit o injury — kabilang ang pagkakaroon ng COVID-19 — at na-confine sa ospital man o bahay nang mahigit apat na araw ay maaaring mag-avail ng program.

Maaari rin itong i-avail ng mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

“SSS explained that members who cannot work due to sickness or injury and are confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days could avail of the sickness benefit. Aside from employed members, SSS also grants sickness benefits to self-employed, voluntary, and [OFW] members,” ayon sa pahayag.

“The SSS Sickness Benefit Program is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a qualified member cannot work due to sickness or injury, including workers infected by COVID-19. Members can avail of up to a maximum of 120 days in sickness benefit in one (1) calendar year,” dagdag pa nito.

Ang mga qualified SSS members na gustong mag-avail ng Sickness Benefit Program ay kailangang ipaalam sa kanilang employer na sila ay may sakit, habang ang mga self-employed, voluntary, OFWs, at mga separated from employment ay kailangang i-notify ang ahensiya tungkol sa programa.

Kailangan ding magpakita ng positive RT-PCR result o rapid antigen test na ginawa ng Department of Health (DOH) accredited facility ng miyemberong mag-a-avail ng program. Puwede ring gamitin ang tests na isinagawa gamit ang rapid antigen test kits na approved ng Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at non-FDA approved test kits basta may naka-attach na kopya ng Certificate of Completion of Quarantine.

Ang certificate of Completion of Quarantine ay dapat pirmado ng medical officer mula sa local government unit o sa Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT).

“COVID-infected members in home confinement can qualify under the program if they have paid at least three monthly contributions within the last 12 months before the semester of sickness or injury and are confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days,” paliwanag ng SSS.