How to Compute Your SSS Maternity Qualifying Period in 2026

If you’re planning to give birth in 2026, it’s important to understand how to compute your SSS maternity qualifying period — because even if you’ve been an active member for years, you might still be disqualified if your contributions don’t fall under the right months.

Many first-time mothers are surprised when their maternity benefit gets denied simply because they misunderstood the “qualifying period.”
This guide will explain in simple Filipino-English how to compute it, avoid mistakes, and use the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026 to check your eligibility in seconds.

🤰 What Is the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period?

The SSS Maternity Qualifying Period is the 12-month timeframe that determines if you are eligible to receive the maternity benefit.

To qualify, you must have at least 3 monthly SSS contributions within the 12 months before your semester of contingency (the semester when you give birth, miscarry, or experience pregnancy termination).

In short:
Even if you’ve paid many contributions before, what matters most are the 3 contributions within the qualifying period before your delivery date.

📅 Step-by-Step: How to Compute Your Qualifying Period Manually

Let’s break down the computation using an easy example.

Step 1: Identify Your Expected Delivery Date (EDD)

This date comes from your OB-GYN.
Let’s say your EDD is March 2026.

Step 2: Determine the Semester of Contingency

The semester of contingency is a 6-month period made up of your delivery quarter + the previous quarter.

For March 2026 (which falls under Q1 2026: January–March):

Include the previous quarter (Q4 2025: October–December).
Your semester of contingency = October 2025 to March 2026.

Step 3: Count 12 Months Backward

Now, count 12 months before the start of your semester of contingency.

Start of semester: October 2025
Go back 12 months: October 2024 to September 2025

✅ This is your qualifying period.

You must have paid at least 3 contributions during this time (Oct 2024–Sep 2025).

Step 4: Check Your Contributions

Log in to your My.SSS account and review your Contribution Record.
If you have 3 or more paid months within the qualifying period, you’re eligible!

💡 Another Example

Let’s say your EDD is July 2026.

Step	Computation	Result
1️⃣ EDD	July 2026	Q3 2026
2️⃣ Semester of Contingency	Q3 2026 + Q2 2026	April 2026 – September 2026
3️⃣ Count Back 12 Months	Before April 2026	April 2025 – March 2026
✅ Qualifying Period	April 2025 – March 2026	Must have at least 3 contributions here

If you paid your contributions in June, July, and August 2025, you’re qualified!

🧮 Skip the Manual Counting!

To make it easier, use the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026.

You just need to:

Enter your Expected Delivery Date (EDD)
Click “Compute”
Instantly see your semester of contingency and qualifying months

No manual counting or confusion — just instant results.

👩‍👧 Why the Qualifying Period Matters

The SSS uses the qualifying period to ensure active membership and financial fairness.
It shows that you’ve recently contributed to the system, making you eligible for benefits when you need them most.

Without meeting this requirement, your maternity benefit may be denied — even if you’ve paid SSS for years in the past.

📋 Requirements to Be Eligible for Maternity Benefit in 2026

To claim the benefit, you must:

Be a female SSS member (employed, voluntary, self-employed, or OFW).
Have at least 3 contributions within your qualifying period.
Submit your maternity notification (before delivery).
File your maternity benefit claim after childbirth.

🩺 Types of Maternity Leave and Benefit Duration

Depending on your situation, here’s how many days of benefit you can receive:

Type of Delivery	Leave Days	Description
Normal Delivery	105 days	Standard benefit
Cesarean Section	105 days	Same benefit length
Miscarriage / ETP / Stillbirth	60 days	For pregnancy loss
Solo Parent (Normal/Cesarean)	120 days	Must present Solo Parent ID

⚠️ Common Mistakes When Computing Qualifying Period

Using the wrong EDD – Always use your doctor’s official due date.
Forgetting to count the correct quarter – Remember: it’s the quarter of delivery plus the previous quarter.
Missing contributions – Pay consistently. Even a 1-month gap can cause disqualification.
Late maternity notification – Must be submitted before giving birth.
Not verifying with the calculator – Use the free calculator to double-check.

📌 Quick Example Summary

EDD	Semester of Contingency	Qualifying Period	Minimum Requirement
March 2026	Oct 2025 – Mar 2026	Oct 2024 – Sep 2025	3 contributions
June 2026	Jan 2026 – Jun 2026	Jan 2025 – Dec 2025	3 contributions
October 2026	Apr 2026 – Sep 2026	Apr 2025 – Mar 2026	3 contributions

💬 TL;DR (Summary for Busy Readers)

Compute your qualifying period by counting 12 months before your semester of contingency.
Your semester = quarter of delivery + previous quarter.
Must have 3 contributions within those 12 months.
Use the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026 to confirm eligibility instantly.
Late notification or missing payments = no benefit.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What if I give birth earlier than my expected date?
The actual date of delivery will be used to compute your semester of contingency.

2. Can I still apply if I stopped paying last year?
Yes, if your paid months still fall within the qualifying period (3 months minimum).

3. How can I know which months were paid?
Check your My.SSS account and review your Contribution Record.

4. I’m a voluntary member — when should I pay?
Always pay before the current month ends. Late payments won’t count toward the correct period.

5. What happens if I’m not qualified this year?
Continue paying your contributions regularly. You might qualify for your next pregnancy.

❤️ Final Reminder

Don’t wait until your due date to check if you’re eligible.
Visit the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026 today to know your qualifying months and avoid missed benefits.

Remember: The earlier you check, the better prepared you’ll be to claim your maternity support with confidence!