Sickness Allowance in the Philippines for September 2025; Check New Amount, Eligibility Criteria

Sickness Allowance in the Philippines: If you’ve ever been stuck in bed with the flu, recovering from surgery, or sidelined by an injury, you know it’s not just your health on the line—it’s your wallet too. Bills don’t pause when you do. That’s why the Sickness Allowance in the Philippines—formally called the SSS Sickness Benefit—exists. As of September 2025, this government-provided cash benefit continues to be a vital safety net for Filipino workers who suddenly can’t work because of illness or injury. Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or even working overseas, this allowance could mean the difference between falling into debt and keeping your household running smoothly.

Sickness Allowance in the Philippines

The Sickness Allowance in the Philippines for September 2025 is more than just a government program—it’s a lifeline for workers and families. While the core rules haven’t changed, the digital filing system makes it easier than ever to access benefits. By keeping contributions updated, filing on time, and understanding the process, Filipino workers can focus on what matters most: recovering their health without sacrificing their financial security.

Why Does This Benefit Exist?

The Social Security System (SSS) has been around since 1957, designed to give workers a cushion against life’s toughest blows—sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, and even death. Before it was created, being sick in the Philippines often meant unpaid days off, lost wages, and debt.

The sickness allowance is one of the earliest programs rolled out by SSS. It was built to protect workers during temporary illnesses—the kind that might knock you out of work for days or weeks but don’t necessarily qualify as long-term disability. In short, it bridges the gap between your health and your paycheck.

What is Sickness Allowance in the Philippines?

In simple terms, the sickness allowance is a cash benefit from SSS that substitutes your daily wage when you can’t work because of illness or injury. It’s similar to “paid sick leave” in the U.S., but with one big difference: in the Philippines, not all employers provide paid leave. That’s where SSS steps in as a backup.

And remember—it’s not charity. This benefit is funded by the monthly contributions you and your employer already make. Every peso you put in builds your eligibility for programs like this.

Eligibility Criteria in September 2025

Not everyone automatically qualifies. To claim your sickness allowance, you must:

1. Be unable to work for at least four (4) days—either confined in a hospital or at home.
2. Have paid at least three (3) monthly contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of sickness.
3. Notify your employer or SSS within the required timeframe. Employers must be informed within 5 calendar days; self-employed, voluntary, or OFW members must notify SSS within 60 days from the start of illness.
4. Exhaust your company sick leave with pay first if you are employed (except for sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers).

Failing to meet even one of these requirements could disqualify your claim.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount you’ll receive depends on your salary history, but the formula is clear: 90% of your Average Daily Salary Credit (ADSC).

Step-by-Step Computation

1. Exclude the semester of sickness.
2. Look at the 12 months before that.
3. Take the six highest monthly salary credits (MSCs).
4. Add them together and divide by 180 = ADSC.
5. Multiply ADSC by 90% = daily allowance.

The maximum MSC is ₱20,000, meaning even high-income earners are capped at that level for sickness benefit purposes.

Example Scenarios

Example 1: Average Earner

• Monthly Salary Credit: ₱15,000
• 6 months × ₱15,000 = ₱90,000
• ₱90,000 ÷ 180 = ₱500 ADSC
• 90% of ₱500 = ₱450 per day
• 10 sick days = ₱4,500 total

Example 2: High Earner

• Monthly Salary Credit: ₱25,000 (but capped at ₱20,000)
• 6 months × ₱20,000 = ₱120,000
• ₱120,000 ÷ 180 = ₱666.67 ADSC
• 90% = ₱600 per day
• 10 sick days = ₱6,000 total

What’s New in September 2025?

The rules remain the same as previous years:

• 90% daily rate
• ₱20,000 MSC cap
• 120 days per calendar year and 240 days for the same illness or injury

What’s new is the faster, digital-first filing system. With the My.SSS portal and mobile app, workers can file and track claims online. This shift saves members from long lines at SSS branches, making the process more efficient and transparent.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Claim for Sickness Allowance in the Philippines

Step 1: Gather Your Requirements

• Sickness Notification Form.
• Medical certificate signed by your doctor.
• Hospital records (if confined).
• Employer’s certification (if employed).

Step 2: Notify Your Employer or SSS

• Employees: notify employer within 5 days of sickness.
• Self-employed, voluntary members, OFWs: notify SSS within 60 days.

Step 3: File Your Claim

• Employed: employer files on your behalf with SSS.
• Others: file directly at SSS branches or through the My.SSS online portal.

Step 4: Wait for Processing
Processing times vary, but digital filing has shortened turnaround in recent years. You’ll get notified once funds are credited to your account.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Late Notification – Missing the 5- or 60-day deadline disqualifies your claim.
2. Incomplete Documentation – Forgetting a medical certificate or employer certification can lead to rejection.
3. Not Updating Contributions – Falling behind in payments makes you ineligible.
4. Wrong Bank Details – SSS releases benefits through bank credit, so errors here delay payment.

How It Compares to Other SSS Benefits?

• Maternity Benefit – For female members giving birth or miscarrying.
• Disability Benefit – For long-term or permanent disability.
• Unemployment Benefit – For workers involuntarily separated from work.

The Sickness Benefit is unique because it specifically covers temporary illness or injury—something that doesn’t qualify as disability but still affects your livelihood.

Real-Life Stories

Consider Liza, a 30-year-old BPO worker who contracted dengue. With 7 days of hospitalization and no paid leave left, she received ₱3,780 from SSS. That money covered her medications and basic expenses while she recovered.

Then there’s Juan, a 40-year-old seafarer who broke his leg onboard. Since OFWs don’t need to exhaust company sick leave first, he filed directly and got ₱12,000 for 20 days of leave—enough to tide his family over until he could return to work.

Why It Matters Today?

In the U.S., about 63% of private-sector workers have paid sick leave (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024). In the Philippines, many companies don’t provide this. That’s why the SSS sickness benefit is crucial—it’s the safety net that ensures Filipinos don’t go broke while recovering from illness.

With healthcare costs rising, this allowance is more important than ever. A few thousand pesos might not seem like much, but for middle-class and low-income families, it can cover groceries, utilities, or medicine during hard times.

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Expert Insights

Financial planners often remind workers that SSS contributions are not just deductions—they’re investments. By staying updated, you ensure access to multiple benefits: sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, and even death benefits for your family.

Missing contributions not only lowers your sickness allowance but can also weaken your retirement safety net. It’s like skipping insurance payments—fine until disaster strikes.