The Social Security System (SSS) said members who are required to undergo home quarantine due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are qualified to avail of its Sickness Benefit Program.

SSS explained that members who cannot work due to sickness or injury and are confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days are covered by the said program.

Aside from employed members, SSS clarified that it also grants sickness benefits to self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members.

"COVID-infected members in home confinement can qualify under the program if they have paid at least three monthly contributions within the last 12 months before the semester of sickness or injury and are confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days," SSS said.

"For employed members, they should have used all their current company sick leave with pay and notified their employer about their sickness. On the other hand, self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker members and those separated from employment must notify SSS directly by filing a sickness benefit application," it added.

The state-run insurance agency said COVID-infected members need to present a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test or rapid antigen test done in a Department of Health-accredited facility or an antigen result using Foos and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test kit.

Non-FDA-approved antigen test results, meanwhile, need to be presented with a copy of the Certificate of Completion of Quarantine issued and signed by a medical officer from the local government unit or the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team.

The SSS Sickness Benefit Program provides daily cash allowance to qualified members who cannot work due to sickness, injury, including those infected by COVID-19.

Members can avail of up to a maximum of 120 days in sickness benefit in one calendar year.

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