SSS membership application now available online

MANILA, Philippines - Workers wanting to apply for Social Security System (SSS) membership may now do so online rather than line up at any of the fund’s branches.

The SSS implemented a web-based issuance of social security numbers to make it easier and more convenient for the public needing to register with the fund.

Previously, one needed to apply personally at an SSS branch to obtain a social security number.

SSS service delivery department officer-in-charge Renato Malto said the online issuance of social security numbers would benefit Filipino workers who have just been employed here and abroad, entrepreneurs, freelancers and even informal sector workers.

The online membership application process would need the applicant to provide full name, birth date and e-mail address as part of the first phase. The system would verify if the applicant has an existing social security number.

“Once the SSS has determined that the applicant has no previous social security number, the web system will prompt the worker to provide additional details during the second phase such as home address, contact information, marital status and names of the spouse, parents, and children,” Malto said.

The results of the first and second phases of the application process would be sent to the applicant through e-mail.

After the applicant is issued a social security number online, the applicant would need to present supporting documents such as a birth certificate or valid passport at any SSS branch.

SSS explained that social security numbers issued online would be considered temporary, although these may be used for paying monthly contributions. To be able to make this permanent and avail oneself of benefits and loans, identification documents would still have to be submitted at any SSS branch.

“Once the worker has successfully changed the temporary social security number to a permanent one, it can be used to file for various SSS benefits and loan privileges, as well as to apply for the unified multipurpose identification card if at least one monthly contribution has already been posted,” Malto said.