SSS and GSIS Calamity Loan Application Guide

Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae or Paeng leaves the Philippines with P1.33 billion in agricultural losses, P760 million in infrastructure damages, and 110 fatalities due to flash floods and massive landslides. 

According to the report, the regions that were hardly hit are the BARMM region, SOCSARGEN, Zamboanga Peninsula, Western Visayas, Bicol, MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, and Cordillera. After Storm Paeng, Typhoon Queenie is said to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, causing more Filipinos unrest and homeless.

Meanwhile, if you or your family may be a typhoon “Paeng” victim looking to fund your damaged property, calamity applications are available for SSS and GSIS members.

What is a Calamity Loan?

Our country is known to be a hotbed of natural calamities, such as earthquakes and typhoons. That is why various government agencies provide calamity loans to Filipinos struck by these calamities.

As the name itself, a calamity loan is an emergency financial aid to individuals who are affected by an inevitable calamity. It is a loan payable in 36 months with an added interest rate per annum. Agencies that offer calamity loans are PAG-IBIG Fund, Social Security System (SSS), and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

So, if you happen to be a member of these agencies, you can apply for calamity benefits. Check out our quick guide below.

SSS Calamity Benefits

Suppose you’re an SSS member living in calamity-stricken areas. In that case, you can apply for SSS Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP), apart from a Three-month Advance Pension for pensioners and a Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan. It’s a financial assistance program provided by the Philippine Social Security System to members living in or declared calamity-stricken by the NDRRMC or National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

As of 2022, you can get a calamity loan equivalent to your one (1) month salary credit (MSC). This is based on the computed average of the last twelve (12) months or the amount you applied for, whichever is lower. This loan is payable in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments, wherein amortization starts in the second month prior to the date of approval.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an active SSS member
• A resident of the calamity-affected areas
• Have at least thirty-six (36) monthly contributions, six (6) months of which are posted within the last twelve (12) months before the application.
• Have no outstanding balance in SSS Housing Loan or Calamity Loan
• Have not availed of SSS retirement, disability, or death benefits

How to Apply

You have two (2) options to apply for a calamity loan in SSS - online and offline submission. You must prepare one (1) valid ID, a filled application form, and a barangay certificate.

For offline submission, make sure you bring original and duplicate copies of your documents. For online applications, take a photo or scan your documents for uploading.

Via Offline Submission

• Visit the nearest SSS Branch Office in your area. Note that SSS Offices have number coding implementation for applications based on the last digit of your SS number.
• Submit the required documents to your assigned SSS representative and wait for evaluation.
• Once approved, you will be given a claim stub indicating you have completed the application.

Via Online Application

• Go to the SSS Official Website and log in to your account via Member’s page.
• Click the “E-Services” on your dashboard and then click the “Proceed” button.
• Complete the details in the “Disbursement Account Enrollment Module” for your preferred loan disbursement. Upload a cleared scanned image of your valid ID, proof of account, and a selfie holding an ID. 
• Once completed, go to the “E-Services” tab and click “Loans.” Then, click “Apply for Calamity Loan.”
• Enter the required details, click the “Proceed” button, review your application, and click the “Submit” button.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The approved loaned amount will reflect in 7-10 days for members with an enrolled bank disbursement account. Meanwhile, it can take 3-4 weeks for checks.

Furthermore, you can only apply for a loan if your bank account is active and marked green on your Disbursement Account tab. Otherwise, you will have to wait for 1-2 weeks for approval.

Lastly, you have three (3) options to claim your SSS calamity benefit - activated UMID-ATM, PESONet-accredited banks, and Union Bank Quick Cards.

GSIS Calamity Benefits/GSIS Emergency Loan

If you are a GSIS member, you can apply for an Emergency Loan. It’s a financial calamity assistance program for active members adversely affected by calamities or as declared by the NDRRMC. GSIS Emergency Loan is payable in 36 months with 6 percent interest per annum as required monthly obligations. However, if you have an existing emergency loan balance, this will be deducted from your new loan proceeds.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an active GSIS member
• Must be a resident of the affected calamity areas
• Must be in active service as a government employee
• Has no arrearages in mandatory social insurance contributions payments
• Has no declared loans in default

How to Apply

You have four (4) options to apply for a GSIS emergency loan.

Via GWAPS Kiosk

• Visit the nearest GWAPS kiosks in your area.
• Insert your eCard Plus or UMID in the kiosk card reader and place your enrolled finger in the biometrics scanner.
• Once validated, click the “Loans Windows” icon and push the “Emergency Loan” button.
• Place your finger in the biometrics scanner again for confirmation of your application.
• Once approved, you can claim your loan proceeds anytime in any GSIS-accredited bank.

Via eGSISMo

• Go to Member’s account page and log in to your account.
• Click the “Loans Windows” button, choose “Emergency Loan,” and then choose from the “New or Renewal” tab.
• Upload a selfie photo holding your UMID card and click the “Loan Agreement” to confirm and save.
• Wait for the confirmation via email for further instructions.

Via Email

• Download the Loan Application form and fill up completely.
• Scan the application form along with your UMID Card.
• Email these documents to your GSIS handling branch.
• Wait for the email confirmation for more instructions.

Via Dropbox

• Download and print the Loan Application Form and complete the required details correctly.
• Make a photocopy of your UMID card and place them in a secured brown envelope along with the filled-up application form. Make sure you put a label of the following - your Name, Type of Loan, and GSIS Handling Branch.
• Visit the nearest GSIS Handling Branch and drop your envelope in their assigned Dropbox.
• Wait for the email confirmation for more instructions.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Call the GSIS Contact Center or visit the nearest GSIS Branch office if you haven't received your loan.

Get the Best Residential Location for Your Family 

Natural disasters are unpredictable, and you don’t know how much it will cost damage to your property. If you don’t want to experience a worst-case scenario caused by floods and typhoons, look for a house and lot in the Philippines that are flood-free and disaster-proof. You can still find affordable house and lot for sale properties developed by one of the most reputable property developers in the country.

Lumina Homes is an affordable house and lot development project by Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. Rest assured, these are quality homes built in flood-free areas. It's a residential community packaged as one - livable, sustainable, and reliable. 

Make an investment now and get the best residential location for your family.