How to claim SSO benefits?

SSO members are entitled to a number of social security benefits, which are provided in from of indemnity payments.

The SSO beneficiary has to claim the benefit by him/herself and to submit the relevant claim form to SSO. The original claim application form must be submitted to SSO, signed by the claimant and co-signed and stamped by an authorized person of his/her employer. Justifying documents, such as a doctor’s certificate, will have to be added in original. Furthermore, the claimant has to attach a copy of both, the SSO membership card and the family book.

The following section elaborates on the detailed arrangements for the listed benefits:

1.1 Sickness benefit (indemnity for the lose of income)

Insured persons are entitled to receive an indemnity payment, compensating for lose of income during sickness. The benefit is described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim this benefit, the claimant has to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-01) and send it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Employer's certificate (2nd page of form SSO 3-01)

• Doctor's certificate (in original)

• Copy of SSO membership card

• If the beneficiary entrusts a messenger to collect the claim, he/she has to mention it on the application form. The messenger than has to present his ID card and sign on a copy of the ID card the reception of the claim.

Attention: The sickness benefit claim form has to be presented to SSO within 3 months (90 days) after discharge from the hospital (date of the doctor’s certificate). After that, the claim cannot be accepted any more.

1.2 Maternity birth benefit - birth grant

Insured persons are entitled to receive a Maternity Birth Grant for delivering birth to a child. The benefit is described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim this benefit, the claimant has to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-02) and send it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Employer's certificate (2nd page of form SSO 3-02)

• Childbirth certificate (in original)

• Copy of SSO membership card

• Family book or marriage certificate (if the wife of an insured person delivers birth)

• In case of child adoption: a child adoption certificate, issued by a district security office.

• If the beneficiary (in this case the SSO member) entrusts a messenger to collect the claim, he has to mention it on the application form. The messenger than has to present his/her ID card and sign on a copy of the ID card the reception of the claim.

Attention: The maternity benefit claim has to be presented to SSO within 3 months (90 days) after the day of delivery. After that, the claim cannot be accepted any more.

1.3 Funeral Benefit (Indemnity to cover to the funeral costs)

In case of death of an insured person, his/her spouse or child, SSO offers death benefits to partially compensate for the costs related to the funeral. The benefit is described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim this benefit, an immediate family member of the deceased has to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-03) and submit it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Employer's certificate (2 nd page of the form SSO 3-03)

• Death certificate (issued by the village authority or hospital)

• Copy of SSO membership card

• If insured person's spouse or child deceased, the household registry book of insured person has to be presented in addition.

• The claimant (if it’s not the SSO member) has to present a copy of ID card or other reference documents to justify his/her relation to the deceased.

Attention: The death benefit claim has to be presented to SSO within 3 months (90 days) after the day of death. After that, the claim cannot be accepted any more.

1.4 Employment Injury Benefit or Occupational Disease

All employees, for whom their employer has paid contributions, are, in case of an employment injury or occupational disease, entitled to receive a variety of employment injury or occupational disease benefits. The benefits are described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim this benefit, the claimant has to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-04) and send it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Employer's certificate (2 nd page of form SSO 3-04)

• Medical certificate (including the diagnosed disease and evidence that it has effected from employment injury or occupational disease) – in original

• Copy of SSO membership card;

• If the beneficiary entrusts a messenger to collect the claim, he/she has to mention it on the application form. The messenger than has to present his ID card and sign on a copy of the ID card the reception of the claim.

Attention: The occupational disease benefit claim form has to be presented to SSO within 3 months (90 days) after issuing of the doctor’s certificate. After that, the claim cannot be accepted any more.

1.5 Retirement Pension

An insured person, who has reached the age of 60 and paid regularly contributions for a minimum period of 5 years will be entitled to receive a monthly pension. If the full period of 5 years has not been accomplished, the retirement benefit will be paid to the beneficiary in form of a single lump sum. The benefits are described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim retirement pension or benefit, the claimant has to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-05) [LINK TO FORM] and send it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Employer's certificate (2nd page of form SSO 3-05);

• Copy of SSO membership card;

• Retirement certificate (issued by the employer) – in original

• If the beneficiary entrusts a messenger to collect the claim, he/she has to mention it on the application form. The messenger than has to present his ID card and sign on a copy of the ID card the reception of the claim.

1.6 Survivors' benefit

If a deceased member or retiree of SSO has paid contributions for a minimum of 5 years, the surviving members of his/her family will be entitled to one survivors' benefit. The benefits are described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim the survivor’s benefit, the claimants (survivors) have to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-06) and send it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Copy of SSO membership card

• Death certificate issued by village authority or hospital

• Copy of household registry book of insured person

• The claimant has to present a copy of ID card or other reference documents to justify his/her relation to the deceased.

Attention: The death benefit claim has to be presented to SSO within 3 months (90 days) after the day of death. After that, the claim cannot be accepted any more.

1.7 Disabled benefit

After having paid SSO contributions for a minimum of 5 years, insured person who become unable to perform their work due to poor health or invalidity will be entitled to receive an invalidity benefit. The benefit is described in greater detail on the “Benefit Packages” pages. To claim invalidity benefit, the claimant has to complete the SSO form (SSO 3-07) and send it attached with the following documents to SSO:

• Employer's certificate (2 nd page of form SSO 3-07)

• A hospital certificate indicating the period and percentage of disability

• Copy of SSO membership card;

• If the beneficiary entrusts a messenger to collect the claim, he/she has to mention it on the application form. The messenger than has to present his ID card and sign on a copy of the ID card the reception of the claim.

Attention: The disability benefit claim form has to be presented to SSO within 3 months (90 days) after issuing of the doctor’s certificate. After that, the claim cannot be accepted any more.

2. Re-examination of claim applications

The SSO Claim Division will re-examine directly (but latest within one week) all submitted application documents and verify whether:

• The application form is completely filled and signed,

• All justifying documents required are attached and

• The supporting documents are found as correct.

3. Results of the claim application

The SSO Claim Division will analyze the as complete accepted applications. Two different results are possible, followed by either a positive or negative notification.

3.1 "Eligible to receive the requested social benefit":

If the information presented by the claimant meets up with those in the SSO database and if all prerequisites for the particular benefit are fulfilled, the SSO claims officer calculates the amount of the benefit according to the applicable regulation. The officer in charge will issue a positive notification on the application, including the amount of the benefit and the mode of disbursement payment (weekly, monthly, all in one).

3.2 " Not eligible to receive the requested social benefit":

In case the information presented by the claimant does not fully correspond with the member’s file in the SSO database, or not all prerequisites to get entitled to the requested benefit have been met, the case is then considered as "Not eligible to receive social benefits". The officer in charge will issue a negative notification. This letter will be sent with the supporting documents and the application form back to the claimant.

4. Calculation of benefits

The benefits are calculated based on the information of the member’s file in the SSO database and the applicable regulation for this benefit calculation.

Examples for short-term benefit are provided at the “Benefit Package” page.

5. Payment of claims

According to the stipulated mode of disbursement payment (all in one, weekly, monthly), the finance division will release the benefit to the claimant and issue a receipt to be signed by the claimant or his/her messenger.

5. Re-application of claims

In case the applicant contravenes with the notification, he/she can correct the information or submit the same application once again to the SSO Claim Division within 1 month after the date of the negative notification.