SSS funeral benefit claims no longer paid thru checks

State-run Social Security System (SSS) announced on Friday that it will no longer release checks for funeral benefit claims and will instead pay through banks and other alternative payment channels after the pension fund shifts its transactions online as part of the “new normal.”

SSS President and CEO Aurora Ignacio said benefit payments will now be released through PESONet participating banks, e-wallets, or Remittance Transfer Companies (RTCs)/ Cash Payout Outlets (CPOs).

This is in addition to the earlier launched mode of payment through Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) cards enrolled as an ATM card.

The enhanced payment method, which took effect June 22, is part of the initiative of the SSS to go digital, as well as to decongest or limit walkin transactions in its offices for the safety of both members and employees due to the pandemic.

“Upon the filing of their funeral claim applications, claimants who are also SSS members must enroll a disbursement account in the SSS’ Bank Enrollment Module (BEM), if they do not have a UMID-ATM,” Ignacio said.

To access the BEM, Ignacio said members must log in to their My.SSS account at the SSS website at www. sss.gov.ph, and proceed to the Eservices tab then click Bank Enrollment.

Members must select their preferred mode of payment and must supply their bank account number to enroll their bank account or their mobile number for e-wallets or RTCs/ CPOs.

The complete list of PESONet participating banks and electronic money issuers, including e-wallets, is available under the “ACH Participants” section of the Payments and Settlements tab of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas website at www.bsp.gov. ph. Aside from banks and e-wallets, the DBP Cash Padala Thru M Lhuillier, an RTC/CPO, may also be selected in the BEM, Ignacio explained.