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SSS Funeral Benefit Philippines: Amounts and How to Claim

The SSS funeral benefit pays ₱12,000 to ₱60,000 to whoever paid for a member's funeral. See the amounts, who can claim, the documents and how to file.

  • Updated
  • 4 min read
  • 3 sources checked
  • By Matt Morgan

The short answer

The SSS funeral benefit is a cash payment to the person who paid for the funeral of an SSS member, a permanent total disability pensioner or a retirement pensioner. Since October 20, 2023 it is a fixed ₱12,000 for members with 1 to 35 contributions, or ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 for members with at least 36. You claim through My.SSS online or at an SSS branch.

Key takeaways

  • Amounts effective October 20, 2023: a fixed ₱12,000 if the member paid at least 1 but fewer than 36 contributions, and a variable ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 if they paid at least 36 contributions up to the month of death.
  • The benefit goes to whoever paid the funeral expenses, not automatically to the legal heirs. You prove payment with a BIR-registered Official Receipt with your name and the deceased's name.
  • SSS members file online through My.SSS, which needs a registered account and an enrolled disbursement account. People who are not SSS members file at any SSS branch.
  • The funeral benefit is separate from the SSS death benefit (monthly pension or lump sum) paid to the member's beneficiaries. They need separate claims.
  • The SSS funeral benefit page does not state a filing deadline, so confirm with SSS (hotline 1455) and file as soon as you have the final receipt.
On this page
  1. How much is the SSS funeral benefit?
  2. Who can claim?
  3. What documents do you need?
  4. How do you file online?
  5. What if you are not an SSS member?
  6. Is there a deadline?
  7. How is this different from the death benefit?
  8. What to do next

The SSS funeral benefit is cash help for whoever paid for a funeral in the Philippines. Since October 20, 2023 it is a fixed ₱12,000 for a member with 1 to 35 paid contributions, or ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 for a member with at least 36. You claim it after you have paid, using a receipt, through My.SSS or at an SSS branch.

Amounts and requirements below are from the Social Security System's funeral benefit page. SSS can change its document list, so check the page before you file.

How much is the SSS funeral benefit?

Member's record at the month of death Benefit
At least 1 but fewer than 36 contributions Fixed ₱12,000
At least 36 contributions Variable, ₱20,000 to ₱60,000

The deceased must have been an SSS member, a permanent total disability pensioner or a retirement pensioner. The number of contributions paid up to the month of death decides which tier applies.

The benefit does not usually cover a full funeral. See funeral costs in the Philippines for what families typically budget.

Who can claim?

SSS pays the people who defrayed, meaning paid, the cost of the funeral. That can be a spouse, child or parent, or anyone else who paid. It is a reimbursement, so you need to show that you paid.

Documents depend on who files. Where the legal spouse claims, SSS accepts a marriage certificate and an online certification that the spouse paid. Where another person claims, SSS may ask for extra proof, such as a notarized waiver from the legal spouse or sworn statements from two disinterested persons. The exact options are on the SSS page, and they differ if the deceased was single, so read the current list.

What documents do you need?

Every claimant needs these basics:

  1. Proof of SSS membership: for example, the Social Security or UMID card, SSS records showing the SS number, or employment records with the SS number.
  2. Death certificate: registered with the Local Civil Registry or the PSA. If it is not available, SSS lists alternatives, such as a certification of non-availability plus a parish death certification or a cemetery or cremation certification.
  3. Proof that you paid: an Official Receipt (OR) registered with the BIR that carries your name and the deceased's name. If the original is lost, SSS lists a certified true copy or a funeral parlor certification that details the payment.

If the funeral was paid through a memorial or funeral insurance plan, SSS accepts a Certification of Availment from the plan provider.

How do you file online?

SSS members can apply through My.SSS. Before you start you need:

  • your SS number and a registered My.SSS account
  • a disbursement account enrolled in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM)

Then:

  1. Log in to My.SSS and choose Funeral Claim under the Benefits tab.
  2. Enter the deceased's details: SS number or CRN, name, birth date, death date and funeral expenses.
  3. Enter your own details, your relationship to the deceased and your disbursement account.
  4. Upload the supporting documents. Only images and PDF files are accepted, each up to 2MB.
  5. Review the certification and submit.
  6. Watch your email for the SSS application notice.

The payment is credited to your UMID-ATM card or your registered disbursement account. Having a UMID card is no longer a requirement.

What if you are not an SSS member?

Claimants who are not SSS members cannot file online. Take the documents to any SSS branch and file over the counter. The SSS hotline is 1455.

Is there a deadline?

SSS's funeral benefit page does not state a filing deadline. Do not assume there is none. File as soon as you have the final Official Receipt, and call SSS if the death happened some time ago.

How is this different from the death benefit?

The death benefit is a separate SSS benefit for the member's beneficiaries. Primary beneficiaries are a dependent spouse (until remarriage) and unmarried, non-employed dependent children under 21, or older if permanently incapacitated. It is paid as a monthly pension or a lump sum depending on the contribution record. You file it separately, and the funeral benefit does not replace it.

If the death was work-related, the Employees' Compensation (EC) program may pay separate benefits. Ask SSS or the Employees' Compensation Commission about it, because the rules and documents differ from the regular funeral benefit.

What to do next

  1. Ask the funeral parlor for a BIR-registered Official Receipt with your name and the deceased's name.
  2. Get the death certificate and the deceased's SS number.
  3. Enroll a disbursement account in My.SSS, or plan a branch visit if you are not a member.
  4. If money is tight now, our guides on what to do if you cannot afford a funeral and low-cost funeral options may help.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the SSS funeral benefit?

It is ₱12,000 (fixed) if the member paid at least 1 but fewer than 36 monthly contributions up to the month of death, and ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 (variable) if they paid at least 36. These amounts took effect on October 20, 2023.

Who can claim the SSS funeral benefit?

The person who paid the funeral expenses, whether that is the spouse, a child, a parent or another person. The deceased must have been an SSS member, a permanent total disability pensioner or a retirement pensioner.

Do I need an Official Receipt?

Yes, normally. SSS asks for an Official Receipt registered with the BIR that carries your name and the deceased's name. If the original is unavailable, SSS lists alternatives such as a certified true copy or a certification from the funeral parlor. Check the SSS page for which applies.

Can I file online?

If you are an SSS member with a My.SSS account, yes. You need your SS number, a registered online account and a disbursement account enrolled in the DAEM. Non-members must file at an SSS branch.

Is the funeral benefit the same as the death benefit?

No. The funeral benefit reimburses the person who paid for the funeral. The death benefit is a monthly pension or lump sum for the member's beneficiaries, such as a dependent spouse and children under 21. You make separate claims.

What if the deceased worked in government?

Government employees are usually covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) rather than SSS, which has its own rules. This guide covers SSS only, so ask GSIS about their benefits, and ask both agencies if the person had both kinds of membership.

How do I contact SSS about a funeral claim?

Call the SSS hotline at 1455 or email usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph. The funeral benefit page on sss.gov.ph lists the current documents.

Sources we checked

  1. 1.Funeral Benefit · Social Security System (Philippines)
  2. 2.Death Benefit · Social Security System (Philippines)
  3. 3.Employees' Compensation Commission · Employees' Compensation Commission (Philippines)

Written by Matt Morgan, Founder and editor

Matt founded End of Life Tools and researches every guide from primary sources such as the FTC, SSA, VA, IRS and state law. He is not a licensed professional, and guides are general information, not advice.

Checked against 3 official and industry sources · Updated Sep 30, 2026How we write and check guides

Please note: General information, not legal, financial or medical advice. Check the details with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Rules and prices change, so confirm anything important with the organization concerned. If you spot something out of date, tell us.

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