What If the Miscarriage Happened Before I Was Able to Update My SSS Contributions?
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What If the Miscarriage Happened Before I Was Able to Update My SSS Contributions?
Life doesn’t always follow our plans. Sometimes, a miscarriage happens unexpectedly—before we’ve even had the chance to update our SSS contributions.
If this happened to you, you might be wondering:
“Pwede pa ba akong makakuha ng maternity benefits kahit late ako sa hulog?”
This question matters because SSS maternity benefits, even for miscarriage, can help cover medical and recovery costs. But eligibility heavily depends on your SSS contribution record—specifically, when and how much you’ve paid before the miscarriage.
Understanding the SSS Contribution Rule for Maternity Benefits
SSS requires that you have at least three (3) monthly contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of contingency (in this case, your miscarriage date).
Key term:
Semester of contingency – a 6-month period covering the month of your miscarriage and the 5 months before it.
đź’ˇ If your miscarriage happened before you updated your contributions, you may not meet the required number of contributions for eligibility.
Example Scenario
Miscarriage date: July 15, 2025
Semester of contingency: February 2025 to July 2025
Look-back period: February 2024 to January 2025
Requirement: You need at least 3 paid contributions within that look-back period.
If your last payment was way before February 2024, you won’t qualify for benefits, even if you pay after the miscarriage.
Why SSS Doesn’t Count Contributions Paid After the Miscarriage
SSS rules are designed to prevent people from paying only when they need benefits. Contributions must be paid before the semester of contingency to count.
What You Can Do If You Missed Updating Contributions
Option 1 – Double-check Your Records
Log in to your My.SSS account and check your contribution history.
Sometimes, past employer payments or voluntary payments may still qualify you.
Option 2 – File Anyway (If You Think You Have Enough)
Even if you’re unsure, file your claim.
Attach your medical documents proving the miscarriage.
Let SSS officially evaluate your eligibility.
Option 3 – Prepare for Next Time
If you’re planning another pregnancy in the future, resume or continue payments now.
Avoid gaps in contributions to secure eligibility.
What If You Still Don’t Qualify After Checking?
If you truly don’t meet the 3-month minimum in the qualifying period:
You cannot retroactively pay to make yourself eligible for that specific miscarriage claim.
Focus on reactivating your membership and maintaining consistent payments to be covered in future contingencies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Thinking late payments can be counted for past contingencies.
Forgetting to pay during periods of unemployment.
Not checking contribution status until after a medical emergency.
You need at least 3 contributions in the 12-month period before the semester of your miscarriage.
Payments made after the miscarriage date won’t count.
Always check your contribution record in My.SSS.
If you’re ineligible now, keep paying regularly for future coverage.
FAQs
1. Can I pay my missed contributions after miscarriage to qualify? No, SSS does not allow retroactive payments for maternity benefit eligibility.
2. What if my employer forgot to remit my contributions? You can request SSS to verify and require the employer to remit, but processing may take time.
3. Do voluntary members have the same rules? Yes, voluntary members also need 3 contributions in the qualifying period.
4. Is the rule different for miscarriage compared to normal delivery? No, the same contribution rules apply to both.
5. How soon should I check my eligibility? Ideally, before pregnancy—or as soon as possible if you are already pregnant.
