Losing a loved one is hard enough without worrying about the bill from the funeral parlor. In the Philippines, a simple wake, burial or cremation can quickly eat up a family’s savings, and many families end up borrowing from relatives or, worse, from lenders with heavy interest. The good news is that if the person who died was an SSS member or pensioner, whoever paid for the funeral can get part of that money back through the SSS funeral benefit.
This guide explains how much the benefit is, who can claim it, what documents you need, and how to file online or at a branch, based on the official information on the SSS Funeral Benefit page.
What is the SSS funeral benefit?
The SSS funeral benefit is a cash benefit meant to help pay for funeral expenses when an SSS member dies. It also covers the death of a permanent total disability pensioner or a retirement pensioner. It is separate from the SSS death benefit, which goes to the member’s legal beneficiaries (such as a dependent spouse and children) as a monthly pension or lump sum. In some families, the same person ends up claiming both, but they are two different claims.
Think of the funeral benefit as a reimbursement. SSS pays back the funeral costs you can prove, up to the amount the deceased member is entitled to.
How much is the SSS funeral benefit?
According to SSS, starting October 20, 2023, the funeral benefit is:
| Contributions paid by the deceased (up to the month of death) | Funeral benefit |
|---|---|
| At least 36 monthly contributions | Variable, from a minimum of ₱20,000 to a maximum of ₱60,000 |
| At least 1 but fewer than 36 monthly contributions | Fixed ₱12,000 |
For members with 36 or more contributions, the exact amount depends on how many contributions were paid and the member’s average monthly salary credit (AMSC). A legal commentary on SSS Circular No. 2023-009 describes the formula as ₱20,000 plus 0.5% times the number of paid contributions times the AMSC, but not more than ₱60,000.
Simple illustration only: if a member paid 120 contributions with an AMSC of ₱20,000, that formula gives ₱20,000 + (0.005 × 120 × ₱20,000) = ₱20,000 + ₱12,000 = ₱32,000. Your actual amount will be computed by SSS from the member’s real records, so treat this only as a way to understand how the benefit grows with longer and higher contributions.
Because it is a reimbursement, SSS pays based on the funeral expenses shown in your proof of payment, not more than the computed benefit. If the funeral cost ₱25,000 and the computed benefit is ₱32,000, expect around ₱25,000, not the full ₱32,000. Keep every official receipt.
Who can claim it?
SSS says the benefit goes to the person who paid for (defrayed) the funeral expenses. That is often the surviving spouse, but it can also be a child, a parent, a sibling or any other person who actually shouldered the cost. What matters is proof that you paid.
If you are not the legal spouse, SSS may ask for extra documents to show the spouse did not pay or has waived the claim. More on that below.
Requirements: what to prepare
Start gathering papers early, because some documents, like PSA copies or notarized affidavits, take time. Based on the official SSS list, the basic requirements are:
- Proof of SSS membership of the deceased (any one): SS card or UMID card, SSS records such as E-1, RS-1, NW-1, OW-1 or E-4 that SSS received, employment records showing the SS number (company ID or payslip), or an SSS letter or certification showing the correct SS number issued before the member’s death.
- Death certificate registered with the Local Civil Registry (LCR) or issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), or a Certification of Death signed by an authorized Civil Registry signatory with the official seal.
- Official Receipt (OR) with BIR registration showing the name of the claimant and the deceased member (one original).
If you are the surviving legal spouse
Instead of an OR, a spouse may submit a marriage certificate (from the LCR, PSA, a foreign vital statistics office with English translation, NCIP for Indigenous Peoples, or the Shari’a Circuit Clerk of Court for Muslims) plus an online certification stating that the spouse paid for the funeral.
If you are a child, parent or another person
Along with the OR, SSS asks for one of these, whichever applies:
- A notarized waiver signed by the surviving legal spouse in your favor;
- A notarized affidavit by two disinterested persons stating the legal spouse did not pay or cannot be located;
- The death certificate of the legal spouse plus the marriage certificate, if the spouse has also died; or
- A CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) of the deceased, if the deceased was single.
If the deceased had a memorial or funeral plan, SSS may accept a certification of availment from the plan company in place of the OR. Lost the original receipt? SSS accepts a certified true copy of the OR or a certification from the funeral parlor showing the payment details.
How to file online through My.SSS
Online filing is for claimants who are SSS members themselves. Before you start, you need:
- Your own SS number and a registered My.SSS account; and
- An approved disbursement account in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) of My.SSS. SSS says a UMID card is no longer required for online filing.
The steps listed by SSS are:
- Log in to your My.SSS account.
- Click Funeral Claim under the Benefits tab.
- Enter the deceased member’s SS number or CRN, full name, date of birth, date of death, and the amount of funeral expenses, then click Proceed. SSS will check if the member qualifies.
- Enter the civil status of the deceased, your relationship to the member, and choose your disbursement account.
- Upload the supporting documents: proof of membership, death certificate, and proof of payment of funeral expenses if applicable. Files must be images or PDF, up to 2MB each.
- Read the certification and submit.
- Check your email for the claim notice from SSS.
The benefit is credited to your UMID card enrolled as ATM if you have one, or to the disbursement account you enrolled in DAEM. If you have not set this up yet, our SSS retirement benefit guide also covers how disbursement accounts work.
How to file over the counter
If you are not an SSS member yourself, SSS says you must file at any SSS branch office. Bring the original documents above, plus photocopies and a valid ID. It helps to call or email the branch first to confirm what they need for your specific case, especially if the death happened abroad or the papers have errors.
Is there a deadline?
Do not wait too long. The same legal commentary notes that the claim should be filed within 10 years from the month of death. Even so, it is best to file as soon as you have complete documents, while receipts and records are still easy to find. If you are unsure about your case, confirm with SSS directly.
Practical tips for families
- Ask the funeral parlor for an official BIR-registered receipt in the name of the person who paid, with the deceased’s name on it. An acknowledgment slip or handwritten note may not be accepted.
- Agree on who will claim. If siblings chipped in, decide early whose name goes on the receipt, so you avoid conflicts and extra affidavits later.
- Check the deceased’s SSS records. The number of contributions affects the amount. Our SSS contribution guide explains how contributions and salary credits work.
- Do not use fixers. Filing is free. Never pay anyone who promises a faster release, and never share your My.SSS password or OTP. If someone scams you, here is how to report an online scam.
- Build a family emergency fund. The SSS funeral benefit usually comes after you have already paid, so having an emergency fund helps you avoid high-interest loans during a crisis.
Quick recap
The SSS funeral benefit reimburses whoever paid for the funeral of an SSS member or pensioner: ₱12,000 if the member paid 1 to 35 contributions, or ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 if the member paid 36 or more. SSS member-claimants can file online through My.SSS with an enrolled disbursement account, while non-members file at an SSS branch. Keep the official receipt, the death certificate and proof of the member’s SSS number ready.
For questions about a specific claim, contact SSS through its hotline 1455 or email [email protected], as listed on the official SSS website.
This article is general information only and not financial advice. Rates, rules and fees change, so please verify with the provider or the official agency before deciding.