SSS Funeral Benefit 2025: Updated Requirements, Amount, and How to Claim

This guide tells you, step‑by‑step, how to claim the SSS funeral benefit in the Philippines in 2025 - what documents to prepare, how the amount is determined, where to file, and common tips to speed up approval.

What is SSS Funeral Benefit?

The SSS funeral benefit is a one‑time cash grant to help cover funeral expenses of a deceased SSS member (or qualified dependent). It is different from death pensions or burial assistance from other agencies. Always confirm the latest computation or ceiling on the SSS website before filing.

Updated Requirements - Quick checklist

Prepare these documents before you go to the branch or file:

• Filled-out SSS Claim Form (SSS Form FIL‑D or the current funeral claim form).
• Original and photocopy of the deceased's Death Certificate (civil registry/NSO/PSA).
• Proof of funeral expenses (official receipt/invoice from funeral home) - if available.
• SSS ID of deceased (UMID, SSS ID) or any valid ID and SSS number.
• Claimant's valid ID (government-issued) and copy.
• Proof of relationship to the deceased (if claiming as dependent): marriage certificate, birth certificate, or affidavit of relationship.
• If claimant is not a dependent but paid for the funeral: Affidavit of claimant and receipts.
• If another person (representative) files: Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or authorization and representative's ID.
• Employer certification (if applicable) showing employment at time of death (for employed members).
• For foreign deaths: Philippine consular documents and authenticated death certificate.

Keep originals for verification and submit photocopies as requested.

How the amount is determined (what to expect)

• The funeral benefit aims to cover funeral expenses and is payable to the person who paid for the funeral or an eligible dependent.
• The exact amount and any maximum ceiling are set by SSS policy. The benefit may be based on the deceased's SSS contributions (salary credit) or the actual funeral cost subject to SSS limits.
• Because SSS updates benefit ceilings and computation rules from time to time, always check the SSS official site for the current maximum amount or circulars affecting 2025.

Tip: If you need a precise figure for financial planning, call SSS or check their "Benefits" pages for the latest published amount before filing.

How to claim online - step by step

Applications to Funeral Benefits is done online for SSS member-claimants, while non-SSS member-claimants must file for the benefit over the counter at any SSS branch office.

Pre-requisite for online filing

• Claimants must be issued an SS Number and registered in the SSS website to be able to apply for funeral benefit through the My.SSS portal.
• Claimant must have a disbursement account enrolled in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) of the My.SSS portal in the SSS website.

Important: having an issued SSS Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) or SSS Digitized ID, or application for UMID card, is no longer a pre-requisite for online filing.

Steps

1. Log in to your My.SSS account.
2. Click Funeral Claim under the Benefits tab.
3. Provide all the following information of the deceased SSS member and click Proceed. SSS will validate if all information is correct and confirm if deceased member is qualified for funeral benefit:

• SS Number/C.R.N.
• Surname and Given Name
• Date of Birth
• Date of Death
• Amount of Funeral Expense/s

4. Provide information as follows:

• Civil status of the deceased
• Your relationship with the deceased member
• Choose your preferred disbursement account in the DAEM under the E-Services Menu. Note: The system will automatically credit the benefit proceeds to the claimant's UMID card enrolled as ATM, if applicable. If without UMID-ATM card, claimant must have a disbursement account enrolled in the DAEM for the crediting of benefit proceeds.

5. Upload supporting documents as follows. Allowed files are images and PDF only, with maximum file size of 2MB per document:

• Proof to establish SSS membership of deceased member
• Death certificate of deceased member
• Proof of defrayal of funeral expenses (if applicable)

6. Read the Certification carefully and click the "Submit" box to agree and proceed.
7. Check your email for the funeral benefit claim application notice from SSS.

Benefits Payment

Funeral benefit shall be credited to the claimant's UMID card enrolled as ATM. If without UMID card enrolled as ATM, funeral benefit shall be credited to the preferred disbursement account registered by the claimant through the DAEM under the E-Services menu of the My.SSS Portal.

Common reasons for delay or denial

• Missing or non‑authentic death certificate (use PSA/NSO copy).
• No proof of funeral expenses or unclear receipts.
• Incomplete claim form or missing signatures.
• Discrepancy in claimant's relationship to the deceased.
• Outstanding audit issues on the member's records.

Fix these early: bring originals, certified copies, and clear receipts.

Tips to speed up your claim

• Get a PSA death certificate (accepted everywhere) rather than uncertified hospital copy.
• Make clear copies of IDs and receipts; mark originals "for verification only."
• If possible, bring an employer certification or SSS employment records.
• Call the SSS branch beforehand to confirm current requirements and whether the branch accepts mailed claims.
• Use My.SSS to check member status and to see if the deceased has active contributions that might simplify processing.

Where to get help / Contact

• SSS website: https://www.sss.gov.ph - check Benefits, Forms, and News.
• SSS Call Center: see https://sss.gov.ph/contact-us for phone numbers and branch locations.
• Visit the nearest SSS branch for in-person assistance.

If you want the exact 2025 maximum amount and computation, open the SSS Benefits page or contact the SSS branch - rules and ceilings can change, and the SSS site has the most current circulars and memos.