The Philippines is a hotbed of natural disasters. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) notes that an average of 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) every year, with about eight or nine crossing the country.[1] On top of that, massive earthquakes can ravage landscapes and claim lives without notice.
These natural catastrophes take a toll not just on your physical and emotional health but also on your financial well-being. Thankfully, you can always avail of the calamity loan offered by the Social Security System (SSS).
Learn more about the SSS calamity loan for 2025 below.
The SSS Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) is a lending program offered to SSS members living in calamity-stricken areas. It's one of the two programs under the SSS’s Calamity Assistance Program (CAP), with the Three-Month Advance Pension being the other one.
You can avail of the SSS calamity loan this 2025 in the aftermath of natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes, as long as the town or city you’re living in is declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as calamity-stricken.
Read more: 10 SSS Benefits for Employees You Should Know About
The amount is equivalent to one monthly salary credit (MSC), which is computed based on the average of the last 12 MSCs (rounded up to the nearest thousand), or up to a maximum of ₱20,000.
You can pay back the amount for up to two years in 24 equal monthly installments. Amortization starts in the second month following the date of the loan approval.
The loan comes with the following fees:
You must meet the following SSS calamity loan qualifications:
Note: For employed applicants, ask your employer to certify your online CLAP application via the My.SSS facility.
Collate and present the following:
You can apply for the SSS calamity loan for 2025 in two ways: online and offline. Here are the steps for each mode of application.
How to apply for the SSS calamity loan online? If you already have a My.SSS account, here’s what you need to do:
If you haven’t enrolled in the My.SSS portal yet, follow the steps below to create an account:
Want to file your application the traditional way? All you have to do is visit any SSS Branch Office and submit the requirements above. If you’re filing an application on behalf of an SSS member, make sure you have an authorization letter.
Here are the available channels. Choose the most convenient one for you:
If you’re an employed member, you’ll pay your SSS calamity loan through salary deduction. But if you’re a self-employed or voluntary member, you can pay at any SSS Branch Office with a tellering facility, SSS-accredited bank, or SSS-authorized payment center.
When it comes to repayments, remember the following:
Read more: What to Do if Your Employer Fails to Pay Your SSS Contributions
If you want to learn more about the calamity loan from the SSS, here are a few items to take note of:
Yes. Currently, there are two available to the affected public—the calamity loan for the SSS members affected by Typhoon Carina, and for those affected by the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Taiwan.
Note that the SSS calamity loan deadline is within three months of the SSS' announcement, so file your application before then.
The difference between the salary loan vs calamity loan lies in their purpose. A calamity loan is for people affected by disasters. As such, members not living in calamity-stricken areas won’t qualify for the program.
A salary loan, on the other hand, is a cash loan granted to any SSS member who has to meet short-term credit needs. This means you can use it even if there’s no disaster.
The amount of a one-month salary loan is the same as the amount of the calamity loan. It’s equivalent to the average of the last 12 MSCs (rounded up to the nearest thousand) or the amount applied for, whichever is lower.
You can also avail of a two-month salary loan, which is equivalent to twice the average of your last 12 MSCs posted, rounded to the next higher MSC, or the amount applied for, whichever is lower.
Just like the calamity loan, the SSS salary loan has an interest rate of 10% per annum until fully paid. The amortization period is 24 months.
Usually, it takes three to five days for the SSS to process a calamity loan application. Keep your lines open for prompt updates.
Yes. Any outstanding balance in your records will be deducted from your new loan's proceeds.
The Three-Month Advance Pension is another type of calamity assistance program under SSS’ CAP. It’s intended for Social Security (SS) and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners living in the affected areas. The proceeds are based on the monthly pension.
To avail of the assistance, the pensioner should submit a completely filled-out application form (Application for Assistance Due to Calamity Due to Calamity/Disaster) to any SSS branch office.
Make sure this form is certified by the Barangay Chairman. Otherwise, you must submit a certification from the DSWD or NDRRMC proving you’re affected by the calamity. You can claim the check containing the proceeds from the SSS branch where you filed your application.
Related reading: Affected by the Recent Typhoons? Check Out the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan
Getting back on track after a calamity is challenging. You need to take care of yourself and your family physically, emotionally, and financially. Thankfully, you can rely on an SSS calamity loan this 2025.
Didn't qualify or get approved for the calamity loan? If you urgently need cash to repair your house or car, check out these personal loans from reputable lenders in the Philippines!
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