The Social Security System (SSS) yesterday revealed a total P178 million in unemployment benefits were distributed last year. According to SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio, out of a total 15,151 applications, the agency approved 14,895.
The entitlement program allows qualified SSS members who were involuntarily separated from work to claim a cash allowance equivalent to two times their average monthly salary.
“Our primary objective is to assist them while they are looking for another job after they were involuntarily separated from their work,” the SSS official explained. “They may also use the benefit for their retooling and capacity building to find a better job or work that will suit their skills.”
“We are hoping that with the newest benefit, we will help more SSS members during times of unexpected job loss,” she added.
In order to qualify, applicants must not be over 60 years old; made at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 of which must have been paid within the 18-month period prior to the month of involuntary separation; the reason for separation must not be due to the installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment, closure or cessation of operation, or disease of illness; and the loss of employment must not have been a result of serious misconduct. (PR)