SSS Maternity Qualifying Period for Kasambahay 2026
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SSS Maternity Qualifying Period for Kasambahay 2026
Many kasambahay (household workers) in the Philippines are not aware that they are entitled to SSS Maternity Benefits — just like regular employees. If you are a kasambahay expecting to give birth in 2026, it’s important to know your qualifying period so you can receive your full maternity benefit without any problem.
This guide will help you understand what the qualifying period means, how to check if you’re qualified, and what to do if your employer missed paying your contributions.
🍼 Why Kasambahay Are Covered by SSS Maternity Benefits
Under the Kasambahay Law (Republic Act 10361), all household helpers — such as housemaids, cooks, gardeners, drivers, and caregivers — must be registered with SSS by their employers.
This gives them access to government benefits like:
SSS Maternity Benefit
Sickness Benefit
Retirement Pension
Funeral and Death Benefits
However, qualification depends on paid contributions, especially within the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period.
📆 What Is the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period?
The qualifying period refers to the 12 months before the semester of childbirth (or miscarriage/pregnancy termination).
To qualify, a kasambahay must have at least:
âś… 3 paid monthly contributions within that 12-month period.
🧮 Example Explanation
A semester in SSS means 6 months or 2 consecutive quarters.
Here’s how it works:
Find your Expected Delivery Date (EDD).
Identify the semester of contingency (the 6 months before your delivery).
Exclude that semester.
The 12 months before that is your qualifying period.
1. Liza’s Story – Household Helper in Quezon City
Liza started working for her employer in 2024. Her EDD was February 2026. ✅ Her employer had been paying her SSS contributions since October 2024, so her qualifying period (Oct 2024–Sept 2025) was covered. She was able to receive her full maternity benefit smoothly.
2. Marites’ Story – Nanny from Cavite
Marites’ EDD was in August 2026. She had a gap in her SSS payments because her previous employer failed to remit. ❌ Unfortunately, her qualifying period (April 2025–March 2026) showed only 2 valid contributions. ✅ Her new employer learned about this and helped her become active again for her next pregnancy.
3. Nora’s Story – Cook from Iloilo
Nora’s EDD was in November 2026. Her qualifying period was July 2025–June 2026. ✅ Her employer regularly remitted her contributions, and she received her maternity benefit without delay.
4. Gina’s Story – Part-Time Kasambahay in Davao
Gina worked for two families. Only one employer reported her to SSS. ❌ Since the other family didn’t remit contributions, her total months paid were short. ✅ After learning her rights, she asked both employers to register her properly under SSS.
🧮 Step-by-Step: How to Compute Your Qualifying Period
Let’s take these sample cases:
Example 1 – EDD: February 2026
Semester of contingency: Q1 2026 + Q4 2025
Exclude these quarters.
Qualifying period: October 2024 – September 2025 ✅ You need at least 3 valid contributions here.
Example 2 – EDD: June 2026
Semester of contingency: Q2 2026 + Q1 2026
Exclude these quarters.
Qualifying period: January 2025 – December 2025 ✅ Pay at least 3 monthly contributions during this period.
Example 3 – EDD: October 2026
Semester of contingency: Q4 2026 + Q3 2026
Exclude these quarters.
Qualifying period: July 2025 – June 2026 ✅ Confirm that your employer paid your SSS contributions within these months.
