Typhoon-Hit Pensioners: Apply for Advance Pensions by Dec 21

The Social Security System (SSS) has announced a special initiative to support pensioners affected by the recent tropical cyclones Kristine, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito. Pensioners residing in areas declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are urged to apply for a three-month advance pension at their nearest SSS branch office. Applications will be accepted until December 21, 2024.

SSS Officer-in-Charge Voltaire P. Agas emphasized that this advance pension is a financial lifeline for SSS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners in towns and cities severely impacted by the cyclones, especially in Luzon.

We have experienced a very unusual event wherein a string of storms swept the country with only several days apart, bringing massive destruction to areas within its path. At SSS, we are aware that among those affected by the storms are our pensioners who now need immediate help,

Agas remarked.

Pensioners in the following areas can apply for the three-month advance pension: Dagupan, Bani, Anda in Pangasinan; Ilagan and Roxas in Isabela; provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon; Cardona and Binangonan, Rizal; Puerto Galera, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Mansalay, Bulalacao (San Pedro) in Oriental Mindoro; Paluan and Looc in Occidental Mindoro; provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon; Naga City; Catigbian and San Fernando in Masbate; Calbayog, Samar; Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan and Maydolong in Eastern Samar; Magnet, Cotabato; Alfonso Lista (Potia), Ifugao; and Quezon City in National Capital Region (NCR).

Additionally, Quirino and Mountain Province; Santiago and Cabagan in Isabela; Baggao, Cagayan; Dilasag, Aurora; and Aguinaldo, Ifugao were also declared under a state of calamity due to TCs Nika, Ofel, and Pepito. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Buguey, Gonzaga, Sanchez-Mira, Aparri, and Claveria in Cagayan were included in the list of declared calamity areas due to TC Marce.

To qualify for this aid, interested pensioners should be:

• Living or residing in the declared calamity area; and

• Have no existing pension loan for SSS retirement pensioners.

Agas noted that SSS and EC pensioners who have received advance pensions from previous calamity assistance programs and whose pensions are still suspended can still apply for this advance pension.

Existing partial disability pensioners can also avail of the advance pension for the remaining months of their partial disability pension or for the three-month period, whichever is lower,

he said.

Interested pensioners must submit the Application for Assistance Due to Calamity/Disaster Form certified by their Barangay Chairman. If the form is not certified by their Barangay Chairman, they can submit the form with a certification from either the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or the NDRRMC.

Pensioners can pick-up the benefit checks at the SSS branch where the application was filed within 10 working days. Otherwise, the check shall be mailed to their registered mailing address,

Agas said. After the three-month period, the pensioner’s monthly pension will automatically resume on the fourth month.

Pensioners urged to apply for pension loan

Agas noted that SSS retirement pensioners can also borrow under the SSS Pension Loan Program (PLP) equivalent to three, six, nine, or 12 times their monthly pension, inclusive of the ₱1,000 additional benefit or up to ₱200,000. To qualify for the PLP, however, Agas clarified that retirement pensioners should have no existing advance pension under the previous SSS Calamity Assistance Package. Furthermore, the pensioner-borrower must:

• Be 85 years of age or below at the end of the month of the loan repayment term;

• Have no deductions from their monthly pension (such as for outstanding loan balance, benefit overpayment payable to SSS, and the like);

• Be receiving their regular monthly pension.

Reference: Typhoon-hit pensioners urged to avail of advance pensions