October 19 ------ State-run Social Security System (SSS) released revised guidelines on claiming funeral benefits for members, beneficiaries, and other claimants. In a memorandum, the funeral benefit shall range from a minimum of P20,000 to a maximum of P60,000, if the deceased member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions up to the month of their death. However, if the member has contributed his payment for at least one or less than 36 months, the benefit will be fixed to a total of P12,000 only.
The Social Security (SS) Funeral Benefit Program covers those who are the surviving legal spouse, the child/ren, parent/s, or any other relative of the qualified SSS member. Other natural persons involved with the deceased member who can also present proof of payment can claim the benefit, provided that they are the ones who funded the funeral expenses and if the deceased member has no spouse. The coverage also includes those who paid for the funeral expenses of the SS member, those who are permanent total disability pensioners, and/or retired pensioners. SSS also reinstated that the benefit is considered as a reimbursement of the funeral expenses which should be indicated in the proof of payment.
The expenses must only be used for the following funeral services: embalming, burial transfer and permits, funeral service like church fee or other religious traditions, cremation or intermentment, coffin fee, cemetery or columbarium fee, and payment for memorial insurance plan. The first eligible claimant to file for the funeral benefit shall be given the amount stated in the policy, but if another person simultaneously files for the same claim, the payment will be pro-rated or distributed accordingly. Furthermore, if there is a leftover balance from the funeral benefit from the first claimant, the following beneficiary will be paid but with no excess to the remaining amount.
The duration for funeral benefit application must be filed within 10 years from the month of death of the SSS member. Subsequently, if the beneficiary is responsible for the death of the SS member cannot avail of the funeral benefit and must return the proceeds in case they have received the funds. To avail of the funeral benefits, the qualified member and beneficiary can access the information of filing via My.SSS Portal.
Source: mb.com.ph
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