The SSS Sickness Allowance is one of the most useful short term benefits available to Filipino workers who cannot work due to illness or injury. In 2025, the Social Security System updated the contribution rate and Monthly Salary Credit ceiling, which indirectly affects the amount you can receive. This guide explains who qualifies, how to compute your benefit under the 2025 rules, how to file online or through your employer, when money is released, and the most common mistakes to avoid. It is written for employees, HR officers, self-employed members, voluntary members, and OFWs who want a clear and reliable walkthrough.
Table of Contents
Why the SSS Sickness Allowance Matters in 2025
Healthcare costs and lost wages add up quickly when a worker becomes ill. The SSS Sickness Allowance replaces a portion of income so you can focus on recovery. Because the benefit is tied to your Average Daily Salary Credit and because the MSC ceiling increased to 35,000 pesos in 2025, eligible members with higher salary credits can receive larger daily allowances than in past years. Digital filing through My.SSS and employer reimbursement tools also reduce paperwork and help speed up decisions.
Quick Summary
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
Program |
SSS Sickness Benefit or SSS Sickness Allowance |
Daily Sickness Allowance |
90 percent of Average Daily Salary Credit |
Maximum days payable |
120 days per calendar year; up to 240 days for the same illness across years when medically warranted |
Contribution requirement |
At least 3 posted contributions within the 12 months before the semester of sickness |
2025 MSC range |
Minimum MSC 5,000 pesos, maximum MSC 35,000 pesos |
2025 contribution rate |
15 percent total contribution split 10 percent employer and 5 percent employee for employed members |
Filing route |
My.SSS online for members and employer reimbursement portal for employers |
Typical processing time |
Around 5 to 7 banking days after approval and crediting via PESONet or enrolled account |
Official site |
Who Can Claim: Eligibility Rules
You are generally qualified if all of the following are true.
- You are unable to work for at least 4 consecutive days due to a medically certified illness, injury, surgery, or prescribed home confinement including isolation.
- You have at least 3 posted monthly contributions within the 12 months immediately before the semester of sickness.
- You have not fully used the 120 day cap for the current calendar year.
- If employed, you have exhausted company paid sick leave for the period claimed and your employer has been notified within the deadline.
- Proper notice is filed within the required period. For home confinement notify within 5 calendar days from start. For hospital confinement file within 1 year from discharge.
Eligible member types include employed workers, self-employed persons, voluntary members, and OFWs as long as contributions are updated and deadlines are met.
What Changed in 2025
- Contribution rate increased to 15 percent total for employed members with the standard split of 10 percent employer and 5 percent employee.
- Monthly Salary Credit ceiling increased to 35,000 pesos, which raises the potential Average Daily Salary Credit used in the computation.
- Online processes were improved so members can submit Sickness Benefit Applications through My.SSS and employers can submit Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications after advancing payment to employees.
- Target disbursement is now around 5 banking days after approval when the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module is properly set up.
Step by Step Filing Guide
If you are employed
- Notify HR immediately. For home confinement inform within 5 calendar days from the start of sickness.
- Provide documents to HR. These include the Sickness Benefit Application, medical certificate using the SSS form signed by a licensed physician, and supporting records such as lab results or discharge summary.
- Employer action. The employer files the notification and advances the daily sickness allowance to you, then submits the Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application through the employer portal.
- Monitoring. Track status through My.SSS and coordinate promptly if SSS requests clarifications.
- Crediting. SSS reimburses the employer after approval.
If you are self-employed, voluntary, or an OFW
- Log in to My.SSS. Go to E-Services then Submit Sickness Benefit Application.
- Upload requirements. Include the filled Sickness Benefit Application, medical certificate, doctor license details, and any supporting medical records.
- Enroll or confirm your payout account through DAEM to avoid delays.
- Respond to queries from SSS within the timeframe provided.
- Receive payment via PESONet or your enrolled account once approved.
How the Sickness Allowance Is Computed
The formula is straightforward.
Benefit equals 90 percent of the Average Daily Salary Credit multiplied by the approved number of days.
- Identify the semester of contingency. Example: sickness in May 2025 falls in the semester January to June 2025.
- Look back 12 months before that semester. For May 2025, use January to December 2024.
- Pick the six highest Monthly Salary Credits within that 12 month window.
- Compute Average Daily Salary Credit. Sum the six MSCs and divide by 180.
- Compute Daily Sickness Allowance. Multiply ADSC by 0.90.
- Multiply by approved days.
Illustrations
- Regular employee
Six MSCs equal 30,000 each. Sum equals 180,000. ADSC equals 1,000. DSA equals 900 per day. Ten approved days equals 9,000 pesos. - Minimum wage earner
Six MSCs equal 6,000 each. Sum equals 36,000. ADSC equals 200. DSA equals 180 per day. Ten days equals 1,800 pesos. - Member with maximum MSC
Six MSCs equal 35,000 each. Sum equals 210,000. ADSC equals 1,166.67. DSA equals 1,050 per day. Ten days equals 10,500 pesos.
Remember that approved days follow medical certification and SSS evaluation. The program does not pay for days covered by paid company sick leave for employed members.
Payout Schedule and Processing Timeline
Electronic payment is the default. A typical timeline looks like this.
Stage |
Expected timing |
Channel |
|---|---|---|
Filing date |
Day 0 |
My.SSS portal or employer submission |
Review and verification |
3 to 7 working days |
SSS processing center |
Approval notice |
Around Day 7 to 10 |
SMS or email from SSS |
Credit to account |
Within 5 banking days after approval |
PESONet to your DAEM enrolled account |
Set up your DAEM enrollment before filing to keep within these time frames.
Employer Obligations
- Advance the daily sickness allowance to the employee upon receipt of proper notice and documents.
- File for reimbursement within 5 calendar days from employee notification.
- Maintain accurate payroll and SSS transaction records.
- Attend to SSS requests for clarification promptly.
Non compliance can lead to penalties and processing delays.
Common Errors That Delay Payment
- Late notification of home confinement or hospital filing beyond the allowed periods.
- Fewer than 3 posted contributions in the required 12 months.
- Missing DAEM enrollment or mismatched bank details.
- Incomplete medical certificate or unverified physician license.
- Duplicate or overlapping claims for the same dates.
- Failure to exhaust company paid sick leave before filing for SSS if you are employed.
Practical Tips for Faster Approval
- Scan documents clearly and ensure all fields in the medical certificate are complete.
- Enroll a bank account in DAEM well before you need to file.
- Coordinate early with HR so the employer reimbursement is aligned with your application.
- Keep personal data in My.SSS updated including mobile number and email.
- Track status in My.SSS under Inquiry then Benefits so you can respond quickly if SSS asks for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many days can I claim each year
Up to 120 days per calendar year. For the same illness, the combined limit is up to 240 days across years when medically justified.
2. Do I qualify if I am self employed or an OFW
Yes, as long as you meet the contribution and filing requirements and you submit the documents within the deadlines.
3. What if I still have company paid sick leave
For employed members, company sick leave must be used first. SSS pays for the remaining eligible days after paid leave is exhausted.
4. Can I file entirely online
Yes. Members can submit the Sickness Benefit Application through My.SSS. Employers also file reimbursement online after advancing payment.
5. How soon will I receive the money
After approval, SSS targets crediting within about 5 banking days through PESONet or your enrolled account, assuming DAEM is set up correctly.
6. What happens if I file late
For home confinement, late notice can reduce payable days. For hospital confinement, you have up to one year from discharge to file. Always observe timelines to avoid reductions or denials.
Official Site
For current forms, contribution schedules, and advisories, visit
https://www.sss.gov.ph
For More Information Click HERE
