According to the Social Security System (SSS), over P84 million in unemployment benefits have been disbursed to eligible recipients across the country.
“We are now seeing the fruits of labor of our lawmakers, stakeholders and SSS representatives,” said SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio. “We are able to provide cash benefits to qualified members who need SSS the most, when they unexpectedly lost their jobs.”
SSS earlier announced they would be extending benefits those who have been involuntarily separated from employment.
“Unemployment insurance, or involuntary separation benefit, intends to provide SSS members who are involuntarily separated from employment with a temporary source of income to support themselves and their families while they are [in] the process of finding a new job,” explained Ignacio.
The policy is in line with RA 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, which calls for providing eligible beneficiaries a cash benefit equivalent to half of their average monthly salary credit for a maximum of two months.
According to the most recent data, over 6,900 have benefitted from the program.
In order to be eligible, SSS members must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 of which should have been paid within an 18-month period prior to the month of involuntary separation.
In addition, separation must not be the fault of the employee or a result of employee negligence./WDJ