How Long After Resignation Can You File for SSS Maternity Benefits in 2026?
/
How Long After Resignation Can You File for SSS Maternity Benefits in 2026?
Resigned ka ba recently and planning to have a baby in 2026? Good news — you can still file for SSS Maternity Benefits even after resignation, as long as you meet certain contribution requirements. Many Filipina moms think na kapag wala nang employer, automatic na hindi na puwedeng mag-file. Pero sa totoo lang, your previous contributions and timing still play a big role in your eligibility.
In this article, we’ll explain how long after resignation you can still claim your maternity benefits, how to check your qualifying period, and what steps to take to secure your benefit in 2026.
🌸 Why the SSS Maternity Benefit Still Applies After Resignation
The SSS Maternity Benefit is designed to support all female members — employed, voluntary, or self-employed — who paid the required contributions. Even if you are no longer connected to a company, your past payments can still qualify you for the benefit.
“As long as you have at least three (3) valid contributions within the qualifying period, you can still receive maternity benefits even after resignation.”
This means you don’t need to be employed at the time of delivery — what matters is your contribution history.
📆 How Long After Resignation Can You Still File?
There’s no fixed time limit after resignation that automatically disqualifies you from filing for maternity benefits. What matters is the timing of your contributions relative to your Expected Delivery Date (EDD).
Here’s the general rule:
âś… You can file your SSS Maternity Benefit as long as you have at least 3 valid contributions within the 12-month qualifying period before your semester of childbirth, regardless of when you resigned.
So even if you resigned 6 months or even 1 year before giving birth, you can still claim the benefit if your previous contributions fall within the qualifying months.
🧮 Understanding the “Qualifying Period”
Let’s simplify the qualifying period rule using examples for 2026:
Example 1 – EDD: February 2026
Semester of contingency: Q1 2026 + Q4 2025
Qualifying period: October 2024 – September 2025
Minimum requirement: At least 3 contributions within Oct 2024–Sept 2025 ✅ Even if you resigned in September 2025, your payments as an employee during this period will still qualify you.
Example 2 – EDD: July 2026
Semester of contingency: Q3 2026 + Q2 2026
Qualifying period: April 2025 – March 2026
If you resigned in December 2025, your contributions up to that point can still qualify you — no need to be employed during pregnancy.
Example 3 – EDD: November 2026
Semester of contingency: Q4 2026 + Q3 2026
Qualifying period: July 2025 – June 2026
If you resigned in January 2026, you can still be eligible if you had at least three contributions between July 2025 and June 2026.
If you stopped working earlier and missed contributions, you can continue paying as a voluntary member to complete the 3-month minimum.
Clarisse’s Story – Office Worker Turned Freelancer (Makati)
Clarisse resigned in September 2025, with an EDD in May 2026. She was unsure if she was still qualified. After checking her record, she found she had 9 valid payments in 2025 — enough to get ₱70,000 maternity benefits.
Rowena’s Story – OFW on Leave (Dubai/Taguig)
Rowena left her BPO job in 2025 and moved abroad. When she became pregnant in 2026, she continued as a voluntary member through the SSS Mobile App and successfully claimed her maternity benefits even after more than 8 months of being unemployed.
Leah’s Story – Market Vendor and First-Time Mom (Iloilo)
Leah stopped working in mid-2025 but consistently paid her ₱750 monthly contributions as a voluntary member. Her EDD in August 2026 qualified her for ₱35,000 maternity cash benefit.
🧠How to File for SSS Maternity Benefit After Resignation
If you’re no longer employed, filing is done personally through SSS (not through your former employer).
Step-by-Step Process:
Log in to your My.SSS account or go to your nearest branch.
Prepare your requirements:
Maternity Notification Form
Valid ID
Proof of pregnancy (ultrasound or medical certificate)
Bank details or disbursement account enrollment
Submit your maternity notification before delivery or within 60 days after childbirth (for late filing).
Wait for SSS evaluation and payment.
đź’¬ Filing before giving birth ensures faster benefit release after delivery.
đź’° Maternity Benefit Computation (2026)
Maternity benefits depend on your average daily salary credit (ADSC) based on your contributions.
Type of Delivery
Days Covered
Approx. Max Benefit (₱)
Normal or Cesarean
105 days
₱70,000
Solo Parent (Normal or CS)
120 days
₱80,000
Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or ETP
60 days
₱40,000
Even after resignation, you can receive the same benefit amount as active employees — as long as you meet the contribution requirement.
đź“Š Quick Reference: Qualifying Period by EDD (2026)
1. Can I still get maternity benefits even if I resigned months ago? âś… Yes. As long as you have 3 valid contributions within your qualifying period.
2. Is there a deadline to file my maternity benefit? Yes. File before delivery, or within 60 days after childbirth.
3. Do I need to inform my previous employer? No. Once you’re resigned, you’ll file directly with SSS.
4. Can I pay missed contributions to qualify? No. You can’t pay for past months. You can only pay ongoing or future months as voluntary.
5. Does my maternity benefit amount change after resignation? No. The amount depends on your contribution level, not your employment status.
🌷 Final Thoughts
Resignation doesn’t mean losing your right to SSS maternity benefits — it simply means you need to be more mindful of your payments and filing deadlines. The key is to maintain at least three valid contributions within the qualifying period, and to notify SSS early.
If you’re planning to give birth in 2026, check your contribution history now and use the 👉 SSS Maternity Benefits Calculator to confirm your eligibility.
Being proactive today ensures that when your baby arrives, your maternity benefit will too. 💕👶
