Social Security System explains Sickness Benefit Program for Covid-19 infected workers in home confinement

The Social Security System (SSS) clarifies their stance regarding affected Covid-19 workers, stating that any member unable to perform their work-related duties due to sickness or injury and are now confined at home for at least four (4) days can utilize the Sickness Benefit Program. The SSS states this service will also be given to individuals not counted as employed members, such as self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members.   

The Sickness Benefit Program is a daily cash allowance paid to qualified workers based on the days they cannot work due to sickness or injury, especially those infected by COVID-19. These members can avail of up to 120 days in sickness benefits in one (1) calendar year. Infected members confined at home could qualify under the program if they paid at least three-monthly contributions within the last 12 months before the semester of sickness or injury and are then confined either at a hospital or home for at least four days. 

All SSS employed members need to use their company’s current sick leave with pay and notify their employer about their sickness. However, if you are a self-employed, voluntary, overseas Filipino worker member or are separated from your employment, you must notify SSS directly by filing a sickness benefit application. 

Additionally, all Covid-19 infected members must submit a positive Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) done in a Department of Health-accredited facility. If those are unavailable, they can submit a RAT result using Food and Drug Administration-approved test kit or a non-FDA-approved RAT result together with a copy of Certificate of Completion of Quarantine that has been issued and signed by a Medical Officer from either the local government unit or the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team before being able to collect their allowance.