SSS offers calamity loan to ‘Odette’ victims


State-owned Social Security System (SSS) announced a financial aid to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Odette.

Aurora C. Ignacio, SSS president and chief executive officer said on Monday, Jan. 10, that Typhoon Odette victims may avail of their Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan beginning Jan. 14.

Under the SSS calamity assistance package, qualified members and pensioners are those in areas declared under the state of calamity due to Typhoon Odette by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

SSS has allotted P2.18 billion for the implementation of the Calamity Assistance Package, which will benefit an estimated 236,509 active members and pensioners in the typhoon-affected areas.

Ignacio said members may apply for CLAP and house repair and improvement loan, while affected pensioners may avail three-month advance pension.

“Through the SSS Calamity Assistance Package, we can extend financial aid to our members and pensioners as they try to recover from the effects of Typhoon Odette," Ignacio said in a statement.

CLAP for SSS members and the three-month Advance Pension to its pensioners will be offered until April 13, 2022. Meanwhile, the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan will be open to qualified members for one year.

Under the CLAP, qualified members can avail of a loan amount equivalent to one month salary credit (MSC) computed based the average of their last 12 monthly salary credits (MSCs).

Meanwhile, to apply for the three-month Advance Pension, they must submit an accomplished Application for Assistance Due to Calamity/Disaster Form duly certified by their Barangay Chairman.

However, retirement pensioners who have existing loans under the Pension Loan Program (PLP) are disqualified from availing of the three-month advance pension.

In addition, SSS also extends financial assistance to its members whose houses were damaged or destroyed due to Typhoon Odette.

Qualified SSS members may apply for the Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan for a maximum loanable amount of up to P1 million.

Loan term will be in five, 10, 15, or 20 years, plus the moratorium of six months.