When to claim SSS Maternity Benefit in the Philippines? 

When to claim SSS Maternity Benefit in the Philippines? 

The SSS maternity benefit in the Philippines must be claimed within a specific time frame, and it depends on whether you’re employed, voluntary/self-employed, or separated from work. Here’s how it works:

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👩‍🍼 When to Claim SSS Maternity Benefit (Philippines)

✅ 1. Before Childbirth (Maternity Notification)

• You must notify SSS before delivery or miscarriage:
  
  • If you’re employed: your employer should notify SSS on your behalf.
    
  • If you’re voluntary, self-employed, or unemployed: you must file directly at SSS or online (My.SSS portal or SSS Mobile App).
    

📌 Deadline:

• At least 60 days before the expected date of delivery (EDD)
  
• If miscarriage or emergency delivery, notify as soon as possible
  

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✅ 2. After Delivery – When to File for Reimbursement

You can claim the benefit after giving birth (or after miscarriage), but you must file within 10 years — ideally much earlier.

📌 Recommended:

• File for reimbursement/benefit claim within 1 year after delivery for faster processing
  
• Required documents must be complete (birth certificate, proof of SSS contributions, valid ID, etc.)
  

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📋 Basic Requirements to Claim:

1. Maternity Notification (done online or with Form MAT-1)
   
2. Maternity Reimbursement Claim (Form MAT-2)
   
3. Valid ID/s
   
4. Proof of delivery or miscarriage:
   
   • Birth certificate, clinical record, or hospital documents
     
5. Proof of SSS contributions
   
6. Employer’s Certification (if employed)
   

Why claim your SSS Maternity benefits before you give birth? 

🕓 Claiming SSS Maternity Benefits After Pregnancy:

✅ Still Allowed?

Yes — you can still claim your maternity benefit after giving birth, even months or years later (within a legal time frame of 10 years).

⏱️ Deadline:

You have up to 10 years from the date of delivery, miscarriage, or emergency termination to file your claim — as per the SSS charter.

🔄 But what changes if you file late?

Aspect	Claiming Before Delivery	Claiming After Delivery
Speed of Payment	Faster (sometimes paid before birth)	Slower (you wait until you file after)
Maternity Notification Needed?	Yes, must submit MAT-1 form before birth	Yes, but if not submitted, you may face delays or rejection
Risk of Denial	Lower (if all rules followed)	Higher (especially if you failed to notify SSS before delivery)
Documents Required	MAT-1, plus delivery proof	MAT-1 (still needed), MAT-2, birth certificate, etc.

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🚨 IMPORTANT:

To qualify even if claiming after birth, you must have:

• Submitted MAT-1 (Maternity Notification) before delivery or miscarriage
  
• At least 3 monthly SSS contributions in the 12 months before the semester of childbirth
  
• All required documents
  

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✅ Summary:

• You can claim after pregnancy, but it’s better to notify and file early
  
• If you skip the pre-delivery notification (MAT-1), your claim might be delayed or denied
  

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Claiming your SSS Maternity Benefits after pregnancy? Get the checklist Claim SSS Maternity Benefits After Pregnancy also known at the SSS as a Postpartum Filing.