Typhoon victims may avail of SSS loans

THE SOCIAL Security System (SSS) announced yesterday that members and pensioners affected by Typhoon “Lando” (international name: Koppu) may avail themselves of a calamity relief package beginning Oct. 26.

In a statement, the SSS said assistance would be given to those living in areas placed under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

“The SSS calamity relief package consists of the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), which allows members to renew their loans earlier than the prescribed date; the SSS Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan Program, which offers a lower interest rate of only 6 percent per annum; and threemonth advance payment for members receiving pensions under SSS and Employees’ Compensation Program,” said Boobie Angela A. Ocay, SSS assistant vice president.

Salary loans under SLERP “will be subject to the same eli- gibility guidelines of regular salary loans,” she said, although the SSS “will waive the 1-percent service fee charged on proceeds of said loans.”

“To our members whose houses need repair after the typhoon, they may avail of cash assistance through our Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan window,” Ocay added.

She said “pensioners whose present address is different from the address in the SSS database will have to submit a barangay certification to prove that they reside in a declared calamity area.”

“Qualified SSS members and pensioners have until Dec. 31 to apply for loans and advance pensions, while the deadline of application for the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan is up to one year from the issuance of its corresponding circular,” Ocay said.

“This is our way of providing immediate assistance to our members affected by Typhoon Lando. We hope that through this calamity package assistance, our members would be able to provide for their basic needs like food, shelter and health care,” she said.