SSS Sickness Benefit 2026: How to Compute and File Your Claim
When illness or injury keeps you from working, the SSS Sickness Benefit provides a daily cash allowance to replace lost income. In 2026, with the higher MSC ceiling of ₱35,000, daily allowances have improved for higher-income earners. This guide explains who qualifies, how the benefit is computed, and how to file your claim correctly.
1. Eligibility Requirements
Has paid at least three monthly contributions in the 12-month period before the semester of sickness
Unable to work for at least four consecutive days due to illness or injury
Has used up all paid sick leave credits with the employer (if employed)
Has notified the employer within five days of the start of confinement
2. How to Compute the Daily Sickness Allowance
The daily allowance is computed using the Average Daily Salary Credit (ADSC):
Identify the six highest Monthly Salary Credits (MSC) in the 12-month period before the semester of sickness
Add them up and divide by 180 to get the ADSC
The daily benefit = 90% of the ADSC
Worked Example (₱30,000 Monthly Salary)
Step
Computation
Result
Sum of 6 highest MSCs
₱30,000 × 6
₱180,000
ADSC
₱180,000 ÷ 180
₱1,000
Daily Sickness Allowance
₱1,000 × 90%
₱900/day
2026 Maximum: Based on the ₱35,000 MSC cap, the maximum daily sickness allowance in 2026 is (₱35,000 × 6 ÷ 180) × 90% = ₱1,050/day.
3. Benefit Duration Limits
Maximum of 120 days per year for the same illness
Maximum of 240 days for the same confinement if illness extends beyond 120 days (converted to disability benefit after that)
Waiting period: The first 3 days of confinement are not covered (the allowance starts on Day 4)
4. Employer's Role and Reimbursement
For employed members, the employer advances the sickness benefit within five calendar days from filing. The employer then applies for reimbursement from SSS. If an employer fails to advance the benefit, the employee may file directly with SSS for reimbursement.
5. Step-by-Step Filing Process
Notify your employer (or SSS if self-employed) within 5 days of sickness onset
Get a medical certificate from a licensed physician documenting the illness and period of confinement
Fill out the SSS Sickness Benefit Application (SBA) form
Submit to employer or directly to SSS (for self-employed, OFW, or voluntary members)
Employer reimburses and SSS processes the claim within 45 days
Check your current SSS contribution bracket and how it affects your sickness benefit entitlement.