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<p align="justify" class="page_heading"><strong>Short-term
Benefits</strong></p>
<p align="justify">The Short-term benefits financially
compensate you for the loss income or exceptional
costs for certain events. The loss of income should
be caused by work incapacity due to illness or pregnancy.
In case of giving birth, as SSO member you are entitled
to a maternity benefit and a birth grant . Funeral
benefits are offered for the survivors of any SSO
beneficiaries, who passed away. Hence, the funeral
benefit is also paid for spouses and children below
18. SSO distinguishes three different types of short-term
benefits: </p>
<p><strong class="text_heading">1. Sickness Benefit</strong> <br>
A Sickness Benefit is the predetermined compensating amount of money in case
of temporarily work incapacity. The Sickness benefit is paid to insured persons
for the loss of income due to illness or injury. The amount is set at 60%
of insurable salary of the person concerned.<br>
<br>
Insured women, who are unable to work during pregnancy or within 6 months after
giving birth to a child will also receive Sickness benefit. If the insured
person is still able to perform a part of his work, the Sickness Benefit compensate
60% of the differential between full performance salary and the income gathered
for part time work. <a href="sickness_benefit.htm" target="_top" class="main_menu">More... </a></p>
<p><strong class="text_heading">2. Maternity Benefit</strong> <br>
A newborn child is a very valuable contribution to the society. SSO share the
happiness of the parents and also acknowledges the burden of the pregnancy
and delivery with a maternity benefit and a childbirth grant. </p>
<p>Therefore, an insured woman on maternity leave receives
the maternity benefit for three months after delivery.
This benefit is not only eligible after childbirth,
but also after miscarriage from the 180 th day of
pregnancy onwards and after child adoption for babies
under the age of one.<br>
<br>
The maternity benefit is equal to 100% of the insured earnings (see also: maximum
insurable income, and is effective for a period of 3 months, starting with
the date of childbirth. If, in excess of the 3-month period, the insured person
is unable to return to work for medical reasons, she will then be entitled
to a sickness benefit under the conditions described in the section on Sickness
Benefit. <a href="maternity_benefit.htm" target="_top" class="main_menu">More...</a> </p>
<p><span class="text_heading"><strong>3. Funeral Benefit</strong><strong></strong></span><strong> <br>
</strong>The death of a relative is a very sad incident
that the survivors have to cope with. The SSO can
hardly reduce the misery, but is able to financially
contribute to the costs of the funeral. In case an
insured person dies, SSO will disburse a funeral
benefit equal to the 6 months of his/her insured
earnings or for pensioners, 6 months of the pension
received. <br>
<br>
Funeral benefit can also received for the death of the insured member's spouse
or children less than 18 years of age. If an insured person's spouse dies,
the benefits are equal to 3 months of the spouse's insured earnings or 3 months
of the insured pension. In case of death of the insured person's child, the
death benefit is equal to 2 months of the member's insured earnings or pension. <a href="funeral_benefit.htm" target="_top" class="main_menu">More...</a></p>
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