Stat-run Social Security System (SSS) said the pension fund has registered a decline in payments for disability benefits last year due to the imposing of movement restrictions aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.
In a statement, Aurora C. Ignacio, SSS president and chief executive said on Thursday, April 8, that disbursements for disability benefits went down by 12.6 percent in January to December last year to P6.23 billion.
Igncio said the total payouts for disability benefits only covered 118,755 beneficiaries.
The SSS chief attributed the decrease to the limited mobility of members and pensioners since March 2020, when the government implemented strict community quarantine throughout the country.
“We facilitated the use of the dropbox system to minimize face-to-face transactions to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our top priority is the health and safety of our transacting members and our employees,” Ignacio said.
“We have pushed for the digitalization of all our services amid the pandemic. However, we are already working on disability and death benefits to be included in the pipeline soon for the safety and convenience of our members,” sh added.
There are now around 25 online services available at the My.SSS portal. Members may also now submit their requests for Member Data Change for simple corrections, while employers can submit Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications of their employees using the mobile app.
Members and employers can also get a Real-Time Processing of Loans Payment Reference Number (RTPL-PRN), which will be mandatorily implemented on May 1, 2021; Benefit Re-disbursement Module, and improved Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM).
Moreover, the SSS enhanced its online SS Number Application facility and provided members with access to the Remittance Transfer Company/Cash Payout Outlet (RTC/CPO) Reference Number Inquiry.
They can also access other virtual services, including viewing contribution and loan records; and inquiring on the status of their benefit claims and eligibility for benefit programs, among others.