Social Security System (SSS)

SSS Sickness Benefit

SSS Sickness Benefit is a daily cash allowance when you cannot work due to sickness or injury and are confined in a hospital or at home for at least four days. You generally need qualifying contributions in the 12 months before the semester of sickness, must notify your employer (employed) or SSS (SE/VM/OFW/separated), and employed members must usually use company sick leave with pay first. Maximum compensable days and filing channels are published on the official SSS Sickness Benefit page.

Daily cash sickness benefit for SSS members confined at least four days—eligibility, notice, and filing notes from the official SSS Sickness Benefit page.

Last verified October 9, 2026

Updated October 9, 2026

Four-day confinement, contribution window, notice, company sick-leave rule, and online vs OTC exceptions come from https://www.sss.gov.ph/sickness-benefit/ (rechecked 2026-10-09).

Quick Summary

Agency
Social Security System (SSS)
How to apply
Online or walk-in
Published processing time
Depends on complete notice, documents, and SSS validation. Confirm claim status in My.SSS.
SSS contribution notes
See fees

What You’ll Need

Use this as a preparation checklist. Items marked “If it applies” are situational.

  • Unable to work and confined at least four days

    Official source

    Hospital or home confinement for at least four days due to sickness or injury, per the official page.

  • Qualifying contributions before the semester of sickness

    Official source

    SSS requires at least three months of contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of sickness or injury (with stated nuances for SE/VM/OFW).

  • Notice to employer or SSS

    Official source

    Employed members notify the employer; SE/VM/OFW/separated members notify SSS regarding the sickness or injury.

  • Used company sick leave with pay (employed, with stated exceptions)

    If it appliesOfficial source

    Employed members generally must have used up current company sick leave with pay for the year, except categories such as sea-based OFWs as stated by SSS.

  • Medical certificate and supporting documents on the SSS checklist

    Official source

    Use the documentary list on the official Sickness Benefit page for your membership type and filing channel.

How To Do It

  1. 1

    Confirm confinement days and contribution eligibility

    Official source

    Check My.SSS contribution history and the official eligibility bullets before filing.

  2. 2

    Notify employer or SSS as required

    Official source

    Keep proof of notification. Missing notice is a common denial reason.

  3. 3

    File online in My.SSS or OTC for listed exceptions

    Official source

    SSS lists claims that must still be filed over the counter (for example certain reconsidered or unclaimed cases). Follow that split.

  4. 4

    Track settlement and annual day limits

    Official source

    SSS publishes a maximum number of sickness days per calendar year. Unused days do not carry over.

Fees

Getting an SS Number is separate from paying contributions. Confirm contribution amounts on official SSS channels.

Important Notes

  • Annual compensable-day cap

    Official source

    SSS states sickness benefit may be granted for a maximum of 120 days in one calendar year. Confirm the current published cap on the official page.

  • Not medical or benefit advice

    Official source

    Whether your illness qualifies and how many days are payable depends on SSS evaluation of your documents and record.

Where / How To Apply

Online filing through My.SSS for eligible cases, or over-the-counter at an SSS branch/Foreign Representative Office for exceptions listed on the official Sickness Benefit page.

Become an SSS MemberVisit SSS website

Official Forms

Links go to current official agency sources. Ano Kailangan does not host government PDF copies. Do not assume a downloadable file is accepted for filing unless the note below says so.

  • SSS Sickness Benefit claim (My.SSS / OTC exceptions)

    Social Security System

    This procedure is completed in an official portal. A downloadable PDF is not the primary filing path.

    Prefer My.SSS online filing when your case is covered. Use SSS-hosted forms only for OTC exceptions listed on the official page.

    Last verified October 9, 2026 · Evidence VERIFIED

    Open official source

Official Sources

Verify the checklist against the agency before you travel or pay.