How to File SSS Calamity Loan (COVID-19)

I recently found out that SSS is now offering a maximum of Php20,000 calamity loan all currently contributing employed, self-employed and voluntary members applying for calamity loan assistance must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Must be registered on the SSS website (My.SSS facility) to facilitate filing of online application.

2. Must have at least thirty-six (36) monthly contributions, six (6) of which should be posted within the last twelve (12) months prior to the month of filing of application.

3. Must be residents of the Philippines. A resident, for the purpose of CLAP, is one who has a home or work address within the Philippines.

4. Have not been granted any final benefit, i.e. total permanent disability or retirement.

5. Must not have an outstanding Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) or Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP).

Availment started as of June 15, 2020 and will end by September 14, 2020. The loan amount shall be equivalent to one (1) month salary credit (MSC) computed based on the average of the last twelve (12) MSCs (rounded up to the nearest thousand) or the amount applied for, whichever is lower.

Here are the steps on how to file for calamity loan:

1. Head out to the https://www.sss.gov.ph/ site and login using your credentials. In case you forgot, complete a password reset first to initiate login.

Click on E-Services > Apply for Calamity Loan

2. You will be asked to enroll an active bank account this will eliminate having to go to your office during quarantine and they will automatically credit your loan amount on the bank of your choosing.

Click on the here link to initiate enrollment. I opted for this to avoid having to wait for the check and go over the hassle of heading out to the bank to deposit it.

3. Enroll your current active bank account. Please note they also offer International foreign banks for OFWs abroad trying to file for the claim.

Fill out the necessary information and secure everything is accurate.

4. Once completed, the system will generate a transaction number for bank enrollment. You will see that the bank enrolled will now show at the Active Bank account record table. This can be updated when you move to another employer or your current card is no longer valid.

5. Once bank is enrolled you can now go back to E-Services > Apply for Calamity Loan

6. Select your preferred loan amount, your current employee (if you have multiple - select the most current one) and select the appropriate branch location (if company has several branches).

7. Once selected - scroll at the bottom page to tick the I agree to the Terms and Conditions box. This will trigger to open a PDF document which will give you a rundown of what all necessary loan details you need to know.

If you are currently employed, you can share the approval of your loan to your Finance team for auto deduction every cutoff.

8. Once done, you will now see the breakdown of the deduction and schedule of payments. Since I filed today, I will start repaying it by January 2021 and will end after 24 months. I will be deducted around Php800+ per month until I pay off the balance. A 1% fee shall be charged and deducted from the proceeds of the loan.

Click on Submit and a small pop up will be generated and hit on OK.

9. And that is it! You were able to file your Calamity Loan thru SSS.

10. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail add in your SSS profile showing your bank enrollment (if first time) and the calamity loan confirmation.

11. Expectations regarding payout: 

• If release thru checks: Calamity loan check shall be sent to the member's preferred mailing address.
• If with activated UMID-ATM, the loan proceeds shall automatically be credited to the member’s account.
• If release thru UBP Quick Cards: The loan proceeds shall be credited to member borrowers account within three (3) to five (5) working days from the approval date of the loan. Member-borrowers may avail of UBP Quick Cards at UBP Kiosks located at selected 26 SSS Branches.
• If release thru PESONet accredited banks (once available and implemented in the system): The loan proceeds shall be credited to member borrowers account within one (1) to two (2) working days from the approval date of the loan

That's how easy it is to file for a calamity loan. Please note that this is only made available directly from the SSS website and not on the SSS Mobile app.

Download the SSS Mobile app here for Android and for iOS. Share this link to anyone who needs some extra cash at this difficult time. 

Remember, challenging times are hard but also know that they are not permanent. Hang in there. We are all in this together.

Update: 

I received a text message last July 13, 2020 that my Calamity Loan has been approved as of July 11, 2020 and I will just wait until it is released in my enrolled bank. After several online bank checking, money came in by July 16th.

Have a little patience - they have mentioned that SSS is a bit swamped with the Calamity Loan requests.