Calamity Loans from SSS and Pag-IBIG: How to Apply

After a devastating storm, flood, earthquake, or any natural disaster, the tendency is to get everything back to normal as soon as possible. But depending on the damage sustained to your property, this could be a very expensive endeavor. Repairing your leaky ceiling or flooded car will cost a lot of money. Sometimes even more than what your income can cover. This is where a calamity loan from SSS and Pag-IBIG can help.

What is the SSS and Pag-IBIG calamity loans? It's a special type of loan granted only to members in areas declared under the State of Calamity. For this loan, you can apply within 90 days from the State of Calamity declaration in your area.

SSS Calamity Loan at a Glance

Amount: One monthly salary credit (MSC) up to PHP 20,000 or the total amount of damage, whichever is lower
Interest rate: 10% per annum
Repayment period: 27 months (instead of the regular 24 months, with a 3-month moratorium period). Monthly amortization starts on the fourth month after loan approval.
Others: Waived service fee

SSS Calamity Loan Eligibility

sss calamity loan features — Instagram photo by @danie.laurel

This SSS loan is open to any SSS member who meets these criteria:

Paid at least 36 monthly contributions, six of which are posted within the last 12 months before the month of loan application
Home address or property at an area declared under the State of Calamity
Has not availed of any of these SSS benefits: total permanent disability, retirement, or death
Has no outstanding SSS Loan Restructuring Program or Calamity Loan Assistance Program

SSS Calamity Loan Requirements

Submit the original copies of the following requirements to the Member Services Section of any SSS branch:

Completed loan form
Barangay Certification
One primary ID (UMID, driver's license, passport, PRC card, or Seaman's Book) or two secondary IDs (PhilHealth ID, company ID, senior citizen ID, voter's ID, TIN card, etc.)

OFW members may assign a representative to file their loan application with these additional documents:

Authorization letter
Printed scanned copies of the OFW's valid IDs, plus original valid IDs of the authorized representative

You can download the SSS Calamity Loan Form^[1], Barangay Certification, and authorization letter on their website. For more information you may:

Inquire at the nearest SSS branch
Contact the SSS Call Center hotline: 920-6446 to 55
Email: member_relations@sss.gov.ph

Can I Apply for SSS Calamity Loan Online?

Yes, you can now submit loan applications online via My.SSS web portal at www.sss.gov.ph. Just log in to your account and go to E-services.

Click ‘Apply for Calamity Loan’ and supply the required information. When you’re done, click ‘Submit’ and wait for your application to be processed.

SSS calamity loan processing time is usually three to five working days. You will receive an SMS or email notification once your loan application has been approved. This may take a few days, depending on the volume of applications received.

Where Can I Make My SSS Calamity Loan Payment

It’s payable through salary deduction. You can also make over the counter payments at any SSS branch or SSS accredited banks and authorized SSS payment centers. Payment deadline is on or before the last day of the month.

Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan at a Glance

pag-ibig calamity loan application

Loan amount: Up to 80% of the member's Total Accumulated Value (TAV)
Interest rate: 5.95% per annum
Repayment period: 24 months, with a grace period of three months (Monthly amortization starts on the fourth month after the date on the issued check.)

Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan Eligibility

Any Pag-IBIG member who meets these criteria can apply:

Paid at least 24 monthly Pag-IBIG contributions
Paid at least five monthly contributions in the last six months before the loan application date
Lives in an area declared under the State of Calamity

Members with an existing Pag-IBIG housing loan or multi-purpose loan—as long as the loan isn't in default—may still apply.

You can apply for the loan within 90 days from the State of Calamity declaration in your area. Just go to any Pag-IBIG office and submit the required documents.

Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan Requirements

Completed Calamity Loan Application Form^[2]
Photocopy of at least two valid IDs
Proof of income (Payslips, Income Tax Returns, Certificate of Employment with Compensation, etc.)
Accomplished Declaration of Being Affected by Calamity

How to Apply for a Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan Online

Download the Calamity Loan Refillable Form^[3].
Accomplish the form on your desktop and save it in a PDF format.
Send the PDF file to your HR via email along with a valid ID and the front and back images of your Loyalty Card Plus, or Landbank, UCPB or DBP cash card.
Alternatively, you can email the designated Pag-IBIG address based on your home or work address. Check out the list of emails below.

calamity loan - pag-ibig email addresses

You may also want to draft a calamity loan letter which you can include in your loan application.

Pag-IBIG will notify you via text or email so make sure that all contact numbers you provide are up-to-date. Loan approval may take five to seven days, depending on the number of applications received.

For more information, you may inquire at the nearest Pag-IBIG branch, call 724-4244, or send an inquiry via the Pag-IBIG Fund Facebook Page.

How Much Can You Borrow from Pag-IBIG?

Members who are qualified for the loan can borrow up to 80% of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings. This includes monthly contributions, employer contributions, and accumulated dividends.

However, if you have existing loans, your outstanding loan balance will be deducted from the 80%, and the difference will be your loan amount.

Other Ways to Borrow Money After a Calamity

filipinos in flooded street — Photo by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Flickr, Creative Commons

If your area isn't under the State of Calamity, you won't qualify for this type of loan, even if you're affected by a natural disaster. But don't worry. There are some alternatives to consider when you need cash to cover an emergency after a calamity.

Pag-IBIG Multi-Purpose Loan
Personal loan from a bank or a private lender
Emergency loan from your employer

Personal Loan Provider	Features
Citibank Personal Loan	Fast approval time in as fast as 24 hours Loan amount of up to ₱2 million Flexible payment terms of up to five years
EasyRFC Multi-Purpose Loan	Fast approval time in as fast as 24 hours High loan amount of up to ₱150,000 Payment term of up to 12 months
SB Finance Personal Loan	Approval within five banking days High loan amount of up to ₱2 million Flexible payment terms of up to 36 months
TALA Personal Loan	Fast approval time in as fast as 24 hours Quick cash loan up to ₱15,000 24/7 application using an Android phone

If you have a car, it also helps to get an insurance policy with an Acts of Nature or Acts of God coverage. This will ease your financial burden when your car gets damaged due to flooding or any disaster.

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Final Thoughts

It's tough to recover after a disaster, so you need all the help you can get. Good for you if you have money stashed away for emergencies. But if you don't, you can always take out a loan from the government. This will allow you to borrow money at a cheap cost, helping you get back on your feet the soonest.