Can I File SSS Calamity and Salary Loan at the Same Time?
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Can I File SSS Calamity and Salary Loan at the Same Time?
When life throws you a double challenge — like facing a natural calamity and running short on cash — many Filipinos turn to the Social Security System (SSS) for financial help. But here’s the big question most members ask:
“Pwede ko bang sabay i-apply ang SSS Calamity Loan at Salary Loan?”
Let’s clear that up in simple, practical terms so you’ll know exactly what’s allowed, what’s not, and what’s best to do depending on your situation.
🏦 What Is the SSS Salary Loan?
The SSS Salary Loan is a short-term cash assistance program for employed, self-employed, or voluntary members who need extra funds for personal or emergency use.
It’s one of the most popular SSS benefits because:
It’s easy to apply online via My.SSS.
Interest is low at 8% per annum.
Payments are deducted automatically from your salary (if employed).
The loan amount you can borrow depends on your Average Monthly Salary Credit (AMSC) over the last 12 months:
1-year loan: Up to 1 month of AMSC (max ₱25,000)
2-year loan: Up to 2 months of AMSC (max ₱50,000)
If you’re curious about how much you can borrow or what your monthly payment might look like, try the 👉 SSS Salary Loan Calculator — it’s free and designed for Filipino users.
🌧️ What Is the SSS Calamity Loan?
The SSS Calamity Loan is a special program released when the government declares a state of calamity in certain areas (for example, after a typhoon, earthquake, or volcanic eruption).
It’s meant to help members recover from disaster-related losses, such as:
Damaged homes or property
Lost income or livelihood
Urgent expenses caused by the calamity
This loan usually offers:
Lower interest rates than the salary loan
Longer repayment terms (24 months)
Easier approval for affected members
However, it’s only available for a limited period after the calamity is declared — so timing is crucial.
⚖️ Can You Apply for Both Calamity and Salary Loan at the Same Time?
Here’s the straight answer: ✅ You can apply for both — but not at the exact same time.
Let’s explain why.
According to SSS loan rules, you can only have one short-term loan at a time. Both the Salary Loan and Calamity Loan are classified under the same category of short-term member loans.
That means if you already have:
An outstanding Salary Loan, you cannot apply for a Calamity Loan until it’s fully paid or restructured.
An active Calamity Loan, you cannot apply for a Salary Loan until you’ve cleared your existing balance.
In short:
Only one short-term loan can be active at a time.
🧮 Example: If You Have an Existing Salary Loan
Let’s say:
You took a ₱20,000 Salary Loan in January 2025.
Your monthly amortization is ₱900.
By June 2025, you’ve paid 5 months’ worth.
Now, a typhoon hits your city in July, and SSS opens a Calamity Loan window.
Can you apply? ❌ Not yet. You still have an outstanding Salary Loan balance.
However, there’s a workaround: you can renew your salary loan (if you’ve paid at least 50%) or restructure it if you want to apply for another SSS loan.
đź’ˇ What You Can Do Instead
If you urgently need funds but already have a salary loan:
Check if you’re eligible for loan renewal. You can renew your Salary Loan once you’ve paid at least 50% of the original principal and at least 12 months have passed since your last loan was approved.
Wait for the Calamity Loan availability period. SSS usually announces the availability within 3 months of the calamity. Use that time to settle more payments if you’re close to 50%.
Ask about Loan Restructuring Programs. During large-scale disasters, SSS sometimes opens Loan Restructuring Programs (LRP) that let you combine unpaid balances, waive penalties, or start fresh.
Check your estimated loan balance. Log in to your My.SSS account to view your current loan status before applying again.
đź’° How the Loan Calculation Works
To understand how SSS computes your loan, here’s an example:
Example: ₱20,000 Salary Loan (2-year term)
Detail
Amount / Rate
Loan Term
24 months
Interest Rate
8% per annum
Service Charge
1% = ₱200
Total Deductions
₱200 service charge + ₱219.18 pro-rated interest (see below)
🔢 Pro-rated Interest Example
If your ₱20,000 loan was approved on March 12, 2025, the interest covers:
20 days of March + 30 days of April = 50 days
Annual interest = ₱1,600
Daily interest = ₱4.38
50 days × ₱4.38 = ₱219.18
✅ ₱219.18 will be deducted upfront before releasing your loan.
That means the actual cash you’ll receive is:
₱20,000 – ₱200 – ₱219.18 = ₱19,580.82
Afterward, your first amortization starts in May 2025.
Automatic Salary Deduction For employed members, your employer will automatically deduct your monthly payment and remit it to SSS.
Voluntary or Self-Employed Members You’ll have to pay manually through SSS payment partners or GCash.
Late Payment Penalty 1% of the unpaid amount per month will be added as a penalty.
Early Settlement You can pay off your loan in full anytime — no pretermination fees.
Default Consequences If you fail to pay for several months, SSS may deduct your unpaid balance from your future benefits (like Maternity, Sickness, or Retirement).
đź’¬ Common Questions About Having Multiple Loans
Can I have a Salary Loan and Calamity Loan at the same time?
No. Both are short-term loans, so you can only have one active at a time. You must pay off or restructure your existing loan first.
Can I apply for Calamity Loan if I already have a Housing or Educational Loan?
Yes. Housing and Educational Loans are different types of long-term programs, so they don’t affect your eligibility for a short-term Calamity Loan.
What if I already resigned from my job?
If you’re a voluntary member with updated contributions, you can still apply — but you’ll need to pay directly to SSS (since no employer deductions apply).
Can I renew my Salary Loan instead?
Yes, once you’ve paid at least 50% of your previous salary loan, you can renew it and possibly get a higher amount.
Is the Calamity Loan interest rate lower than the Salary Loan?
Usually, yes. Calamity loans often have a slightly lower rate or longer term as part of SSS relief measures.
🧠When to Choose Salary Loan vs. Calamity Loan
Situation
Best Loan to Choose
Regular cash shortage or family expenses
Salary Loan
After a typhoon, flood, or earthquake
Calamity Loan
You already have an active Salary Loan
Renew or restructure first
You’ve fully paid your Salary Loan
Apply for Calamity Loan right away
đź“‹ TL;DR Summary
You cannot file SSS Calamity and Salary Loan at the same time because both are short-term loans.
You must fully pay or restructure your existing loan before applying for another.
You may renew your Salary Loan after paying at least 50% of it.
Use the SSS Salary Loan Calculator to check your estimated loan amount and monthly amortization before applying.
Always check for official announcements during calamity periods for special loan windows.
âť“ FAQs
1. Can I apply for a Calamity Loan while still paying my Salary Loan? No, only one short-term SSS loan can be active at a time. Finish or restructure your existing loan first.
2. What if my area isn’t declared under a state of calamity? You can’t apply for a Calamity Loan. Only members in officially declared areas are eligible.
3. Can I pay my Salary Loan early to become eligible for the Calamity Loan? Yes, early repayment is allowed without penalties. Once cleared, you can file for a new loan.
4. Can I still get a Salary Loan if I’m on maternity leave? Yes, as long as you’re still employed and your employer certifies your loan application.
5. How will I know if SSS has opened Calamity Loan applications? SSS posts announcements on their official website and social media pages after each declared disaster.
đź’¬ Final Advice from an SSS Salary Loan Expert
If you’re affected by a calamity but still have an ongoing salary loan, don’t worry — you still have options. Focus on repaying your current loan, or inquire about restructuring programs that can help you start fresh.
Always remember: SSS loans are meant to support you, not to burden you. Manage them wisely and plan your repayments so you’ll be ready when the next opportunity or need comes.
And before you apply, try the 👉 SSS Salary Loan Calculator to estimate your amount and avoid surprises.
