How to Apply SSS Paternity Benefits?

The Social Security System in the Philippines offers plenty of benefits that ensure the financial security and well-being of all SSS members. If you are going to be a dad, now you are more than just a provider for your family. In such conditions, your family needs your time and support the most, so you must be interested in knowing if there are any SSS paternity benefits.

Paternity benefits can be a game changer for new fathers during the early parenthood stages. This shows how essential the role of fathers is in raising a child and supporting their family. Let’s learn if there are any SSS paternity benefits that Filipino dads-to-be can enjoy.

If you are an SSS member and going to be a father soon, you must be wondering about SSS paternity benefits. Sadly, there are no SSS paternity benefits in government agencies, but according to the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 or Republic Act 8187, there are some benefits that expectant fathers can enjoy.

SSS Paternity Benefits Requirements

All fathers-to-be, whether government employees or private, can have seven full-pay leaves as a father. However, the leaves can be claimed for the first four children only.

You can have seven days of leave per child but a father will only get the leaves if he fulfills the conditions and requirements for paternity leaves. These include

• The male employee must be legally married to the child’s mother.
• If the mother has delivered the baby/had a miscarriage, the father can apply for paternity benefits.
• You must avail of paternal leave within 60 days from the date of the child’s birth.
• A male employee can get SSS paternal benefits or paternal leaves four times only.
• You must notify your employer about your paternal leave at least one month before the start of your leave.

These are the requirements to claim SSS paternity benefits. To get paternity benefits or leaves, you have to provide your marriage certificate and you must be living with your wife. If you fail to provide your marriage certificate to the employer, he has the right to reject your paternal leave application.

Only those who fulfill these conditions can get paternity leave under the Paternity Leave Act of 1996. Therefore, before applying for paternity benefits, ensure you have all the legal documents ready to get your paternity benefits application approved smoothly.

How to Apply for SSS Paternity Benefits?

While having a conversation, my friend told me you do not need to visit the SSS office to apply for SSS paternity leave in the Philippines. I was surprised to find this and asked him about the application process. So, all fathers-to-be who are wondering how you apply for SSS paternity benefits, the following information is for you.

You can get paternity leave directly from your employer or your company’s HR department. They will provide you with a form for some paperwork and guide you through the application process as each company has its own rules and regulations. Here’s what you must do to apply for SSS paternity benefits:

• Inform your employer or HR about the pregnancy and due date.
• Complete the paternity notification form to apply for paternity benefits.
• Submit it to the HR with a copy of your marriage certificate.

Some companies may ask for additional documents such as ultrasound results. Once you submit your paternal leave application, you will get seven days’ leave. However, if you need to extend your leave to an extra seven days then you should submit the SSS Allocation of Maternity Leaves Credits form and Maternity Notification form.

Moreover, fathers need to submit a copy of the baby’s birth certificate after receiving paternity benefits. In case of miscarriage, you should submit a medical report.

Can a Wife Transfer Maternity Leaves?

The paternity benefits include only seven days of paid leave, but the good news is maternal leaves can be transferred to a father. Recovering after childbirth takes more than seven days and if you think you need more leaves to take care of your family, then your wife can transfer the maternal leaves to you, but only to a certain degree.

Maternity leaves of mothers are more than fathers and, according to the RA 11210 (2) law, a mother can allocate some of her maternity leaves to her partner. Moreover, if you have vacation leave credits left, you can avail of these and extend your paternal leaves without transferring any maternal leaves from your spouse. So, a father can take as much as 14 days of paid leave from work to take care of the child.

Fathers play a crucial role in raising a child and SSS paternity benefits support new fathers in the early stages of parenthood. These benefits include full paid leave for seven days so they can take some time off from work to support their family and take care of the newborn without any financial stress.

Paternity leaves contribute to the well-being of a family and share responsibilities with your partner to promote a healthy relationship.