SSS offers calamity loan for quake-hit workers

Local

QUAKE-HIT workers in Cebu can now get financial relief from the Social Security System (SSS) through a calamity loan of up to P20,000, following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province earlier this week.

The SSS Calamity Loan Assistance Program is now active for members living or working in areas placed under a state of calamity, including northern Cebu towns devastated by the earthquake and those affected by recent tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong.

“Mas maaigi na po ngayon ang aming calamity loan program at mas mabilis na po kaming nakakapag-activate,” said Carlo Villacorta, SSS Vice President for Public Affairs and Special Events and Spokesperson, in an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

“Ngayon ay mas responsive na ang programa — kahit ilang araw pa lamang mula nang mangyari ang lindol ay meron na tayong calamity loan para sa mga naapektuhang miyembro,” he added.

Under the program, eligible SSS members can borrow from ₱3,000 to ₱20,000, depending on the amount of their monthly contributions.

The loan is payable in two years with a seven (7) percent annual interest rate.

To qualify, members must:

Must be residing or working in an area declared under the State of Calamity;

Must have at least 36 monthly contributions. At least six of these must be posted within the last 12 months before filing. Individually paying members must have paid at least six contributions under their current membership type;

Must have an online account with SSS (My SSS) to file an online application;

Must have no past due loan accounts and no outstanding restructured loans;

Must not have been granted any final benefit;

Must have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS.

For employed members, their employers must be updated on SSS contributions and loan remittances.

“Depende po ito sa halaga ng kanilang buwanang kontribusyon. Ang maximum ay ₱20,000, habang ang minimum ay ₱3,000,” Villacorta explained. “Kung tayo ay nasa mas mataas na contribution bracket, mas mataas din ang calamity loan na puwedeng ma-avail.”

Applications must be filed online through the My.SSS portal, where members can submit requirements and track the release of loan proceeds.

Villacorta said the improved calamity loan program reflects SSS’s faster disaster response, allowing quicker activation within days instead of weeks.

The loan aims to provide immediate cash assistance for members to rebuild homes, replace damaged belongings, and recover from income loss.

“Ang layunin po ng calamity loan program ay makapagbigay ng agarang tulong pinansyal sa ating mga miyembro upang sila ay makabangon kaagad mula sa pinsala ng kalamidad,” Villacorta said.

A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck northern Cebu at 9:59 p.m. on September 30, with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City.(TGP)