SSS Qualifying Period Examples for October 2026 Delivery

If your Expected Delivery Date (EDD) is October 2026, it’s time to understand how your SSS maternity benefit qualification really works. Many moms think that recent payments automatically make them eligible — but the truth is, SSS follows a specific 12-month qualifying period rule.

This guide explains step by step how to find your qualifying months for October 2026 delivery, complete with real stories from Filipino moms and a quick tool — the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026 — to verify your eligibility instantly.

🤰 Why the SSS Maternity Benefit Matters

The SSS Maternity Benefit gives cash assistance to female members who cannot work due to childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy.

Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or a voluntary member, this benefit can significantly help cover your expenses while you recover and care for your baby.

Kung member ka ng SSS, good news — pwede kang mag-apply basta qualified ka sa requirements!

🧮 Step 1: Identify Your Semester of Contingency

The semester of contingency refers to the 6-month period (2 quarters) consisting of:

The quarter of your delivery, and
The quarter immediately before it.

For an Expected Delivery Date in October 2026:

Quarter of delivery = Q4 2026 (October–December)
Previous quarter = Q3 2026 (July–September)

✅ Semester of contingency: July 2026 – December 2026

These months are excluded when calculating your qualifying period.

📆 Step 2: Count 12 Months Backward

From the first month of your semester (July 2026), count 12 months backward.
That gives you:

July 2025 – June 2026

✅ Qualifying Period: July 2025 to June 2026
You must have at least 3 valid monthly SSS contributions within this range to qualify for the benefit.

📊 October 2026 Delivery Summary

Expected Delivery Date (EDD)	Quarter of Delivery	Semester of Contingency (Exclude)	Qualifying Period (12 Months)	Minimum Contributions Required
October 2026	Q4 2026	Q4 2026 + Q3 2026	July 2025 – June 2026	3

💡 Tip: Payments made during July–December 2026 won’t count for your maternity claim. What matters most are your contributions from July 2025 to June 2026.

👩‍🍼 Real-Life Stories from Filipino Moms

Clarisse’s Story – Office Worker Turned Freelancer

Clarisse from Makati switched to freelance work in 2025. Her due date was October 2026, and she worried about losing eligibility after leaving her job. Using the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026, she confirmed her employee contributions from July 2025 to March 2026 were enough for full benefits.

Rowena’s Story – OFW on Vacation Leave

Rowena, an OFW from Dubai, visited home in 2025 and was due in October 2026. She didn’t know that she could still continue paying as a voluntary member while abroad. After catching up her payments before June 2026, she qualified in time.

Leah’s Story – Market Vendor and First-Time Mom

Leah from Iloilo discovered her EDD was October 2026. When she used the calculator, she learned her qualifying period was July 2025–June 2026. She immediately paid her voluntary SSS contributions and successfully claimed her 105-day maternity benefit.

Dianne’s Story – Teacher Who Planned Ahead

Dianne from Baguio, a public school teacher, had her maternity leave covered smoothly. Her school consistently remitted contributions within her qualifying period of July 2025–June 2026, ensuring hassle-free processing.

🧮 Step 3: Verify Instantly Using the Calculator

To avoid confusion, use the
👉 SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026

Just enter your Expected Delivery Date (EDD) and the tool automatically calculates:

Your semester of contingency
Your qualifying period
Whether your payments make you eligible

Perfect for first-time moms, voluntary members, or OFWs who want to plan ahead.

💰 SSS Maternity Benefit Duration and Leave Days

Type of Delivery	Paid Leave Days	Description
Normal Delivery	105 days	Standard maternity leave duration
Cesarean Delivery	105 days	Same for surgical delivery
Miscarriage / ETP / Stillbirth	60 days	For pregnancy loss
Solo Parent (Normal or Cesarean)	120 days	With valid Solo Parent ID

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Counting the wrong months – Exclude July–December 2026.
Late or retroactive payments – They don’t count for maternity eligibility.
No maternity notification filed – File before childbirth.
Misunderstanding the EDD – Always use the doctor-certified due date.
Assuming all payments count – Only those made within July 2025–June 2026 matter.

💬 TL;DR (Quick Summary)

EDD: October 2026
Semester of Contingency: July–December 2026
Qualifying Period: July 2025 – June 2026
Required Contributions: Minimum of 3 within the qualifying period
Quick Check: Use the SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026

❓ FAQs

1. What if I give birth earlier than October 2026?
SSS will base eligibility on your actual delivery date.

2. Can I pay missed months later to qualify?
No. Late payments are not counted toward maternity eligibility.

3. What if I’m employed but my company forgot to remit?
You can file a report to SSS and submit proof of deductions such as payslips.

4. How can I check my contributions?
Log in to My.SSS → Inquiry → Contributions to verify your payments.

5. How many days of leave do solo parents get?
Solo parents get 120 days of paid maternity leave instead of 105.

❤️ Final Reminder

For October 2026 deliveries, your qualifying period is July 2025 to June 2026.
Check your SSS payments early and confirm using the
👉 SSS Maternity Qualifying Period Calculator 2026

Plan your payments ahead so you can enjoy your maternity benefits fully and stress-free when your baby arrives!