Members and pensioners affected by the July 27 magnitude 7.0 northwestern Luzon earthquake may now avail of the Calamity Assistance Package, state-run Social Security System (SSS) announced.
The Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) for members and three-month advance pension for retirees may be availed until Nov. 14, 2022, said SSS President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Regino in a statement on Thursday, Aug. 18.
“Through this SSS Calamity Assistance Package, we can offer immediate financial aid to our members and pensioners as they try to recover from the effects of the recent earthquake,” said Regino.
SSS specified that residents of areas under state of calamity due to the seismic event may avail of the package. These areas include the following: Bauko and Besao in Mountain Province, while in Abra, these areas are Bangued, Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Langiden, La Paz, Licuan, Luba, Malicbong, Manabo, Penarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo, and Villaviciosa.
“Members and pensioners residing in other earthquake-affected areas could be declared under state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) or the Sangguniang Bayan, Panlunsod, or Panlalawigan can also avail of the assistance package,” said Regino.
In order to qualify for the CLAP, members must have an SSS account and at least 36 monthly contributions.
If self-employed or land-based overseas, they should also have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement and should have no outstanding Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) or CLAP.
If employed, the members’ employer must certify the CLAP application.
The three-month advance pension for retirees, on the other hand, may only be availed by residents of the quake-stricken areas declared under state of calamity, said SSS, adding that retirement pensioners who have existing loans will not be allowed to avail the said package.