Introduction

In the Philippines, the death of a family member triggers entitlement to various social security benefits designed to ease financial burdens. Two distinct claims commonly arise: the funeral benefit (an immediate cash grant for burial expenses) and the death benefit (a pension or lump-sum payment for surviving dependents). These claims are independent—filing and receiving a funeral benefit does not preclude or delay a subsequent death benefit claim, even if the claimants differ.

This article comprehensively explains the rules, requirements, timelines, and procedural nuances under the Social Security System (SSS) for private-sector employees and self-employed individuals, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for government employees, and related benefits from Pag-IBIG Fund and other agencies. All information is based on Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018), Republic Act No. 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997), and implementing rules current as of November 2025.

Distinguishing Funeral Benefits from Death Benefits

Aspect	Funeral Benefit	Death Benefit
Purpose	Reimburse burial/funeral expenses	Provide long-term financial support to dependents
Nature	One-time cash grant	Monthly pension or lump-sum
Claimant	Person who paid funeral expenses (any relative, friend, or undertaker)	Legal beneficiaries (spouse, children, parents, or heirs)
Effect on other claim	None—independent	None—independent
Funding source	Social security contributions	Same

Filing the funeral claim first is common and recommended because it provides immediate liquidity, while death benefit processing (especially pensions) may take months due to verification of contributions and beneficiary status.

Social Security System (SSS)

Funeral Benefit under SSS

Eligibility

Deceased was an SSS member (active, separated, or pensioner) with at least one posted contribution, or a dependent entitled to pension.
Permanent total disability pensioners are also qualified.

Amount (as of 2025)
Variable: ₱20,000 (minimum) to ₱40,000 (maximum), computed as twelve (12) times the average monthly salary credit (MSC) or the actual funeral expenses, whichever is lower.

Required Documents

Document	Notes
Funeral Benefit Claim Application (SSS Form CLD-36)	Downloadable from SSS website
Original + photocopy of PSA Death Certificate	Certified true copy
Official receipts / cash invoices of funeral expenses	In name of claimant; if none, Affidavit of Funeral Expenses with two disinterested witnesses
Photo-bearing ID of claimant (2 valid IDs)	UMID, driver’s license, passport, etc.
Proof of relationship (if filed by relative)	Optional but speeds processing
SSS Form DDR-2 (Acknowledgment Stub)	For signature verification

Filing Modes

Over-the-counter at any SSS branch
Online via My.SSS portal (e-Claim)
Drop box or authorized representative

Timeline

No prescriptive period under RA 11199, but practical limit of 10 years from date of death for all SSS claims.
Processing: 15–30 days if complete.

Death Benefit under SSS

Types

Monthly Pension – if deceased had ≥36 monthly contributions before semester of death.
Lump-Sum – if <36 data-preserve-html-node="true" contributions.
Dependents’ Pension – additional for qualified children of deceased pensioner.

Qualified Beneficiaries

Primary: Legitimate/legitimated/adopted children (<21 data-preserve-html-node="true" years old, unmarried, unemployed; no age limit if congenitally incapacitated); legitimate spouse (until remarriage).
Secondary (absent primary): Dependent parents.
None: Legal heirs (lump-sum of remaining contributions).

Required Documents (core set; additional may be requested)

Document	Notes
Death Benefit Claim Application (SSS Form DDR-1)	Primary form
PSA Death Certificate (original + photocopy)	Must indicate filiation if illegitimate children
Marriage Contract / Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)	For spouse
Birth Certificates of children (PSA)	To prove dependency
Affidavit of No Marriage (if applicable)	For common-law spouses
Proof of legitimation/adoption (if applicable)	Court order or PSA annotation
Member-borrower proof (if loans to be condoned)	Automatic condonation upon death
Claimant’s UMID/eID or 2 valid IDs	With three specimen signatures
Bank account details (PESONet-enrolled)	For pension crediting

Special Cases

Illegitimate children: Acknowledgment or proof of filiation required.
No designated beneficiary: SSS Form RS-5 or affidavit.
Overseas death: Consular death certificate + authentication.

Filing Modes

My.SSS portal (highly recommended)
Branch appointment via SSS website
Mail or representative (notarized SPA)

Timeline

Prescription: 10 years from date of death (Sec. 28, RA 11199).
Filing recommendation: Within 5 years to avoid evidentiary issues.
Processing:
– Lump-sum: 15–45 days
– Pension: 30–90 days (longer if disputes on beneficiary status)

Key Rule: Receiving funeral benefit (even by a non-beneficiary) has no effect on death benefit eligibility or amount.

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)

Funeral Benefit under GSIS

Eligibility
Deceased was an active GSIS member or old-age/disability pensioner.

Amount
Fixed at ₱35,000 (as of 2025).

Required Documents

Funeral Benefit Application Form
PSA Death Certificate
Official receipts or Funeral Service Contract
Claimant’s valid ID and GSIS eCard/UMID

Timeline
Prescription: 4 years from death (Sec. 39, RA 8291). Processing: 10–20 days.

Survivorship Benefit under GSIS

Types

Monthly survivorship pension (primary beneficiaries)
5-year guaranteed pension or cash payment (if ineligible for monthly)

Beneficiaries
Same hierarchy as SSS (spouse, children <21, data-preserve-html-node="true" dependent parents).

Required Documents (similar to SSS but GSIS-specific forms)

Survivorship Claim Form
PSA Death Certificate
Marriage/Birth Certificates
Declaration of No Marriage (if needed)
GSIS BP Number of deceased

Filing
Exclusively through GWAPS kiosks, GSIS website, or branch wireless application.

Timeline

Prescription: 4 years from contingency.
Processing: 30–60 days for pension.

Pag-IBIG Fund Death Claim

While not a “funeral” or “death benefit” per se, beneficiaries may claim the deceased member’s Total Accumulated Value (TAV), which includes contributions + dividends. This is often used for funeral expenses.

Requirements

Death Claim Application
PSA Death Certificate
Proof of relationship
Notarized Affidavit of Next-of-Kin

Timeline
Prescription: 10 years. Processing: 5–15 days.

Employees’ Compensation (EC) Benefits (Work-Related Death)

If death is work-connected, additional EC death benefits from SSS/GSIS:

Monthly EC pension (100% of deceased’s average daily salary credit)
Funeral benefit (₱30,000 for SSS; ₱35,000 for GSIS)
Separate claim via ECC Form B-300

Timeline
Prescription: 3 years from death (PD 626).

Common Scenarios and Pitfalls

Funeral paid by non-beneficiary → That person claims funeral benefit; legal spouse/children still claim death pension.
Delayed death certificate → Use provisional death certificate from LCR while awaiting PSA copy.
Overseas Filipinos → Authenticated foreign death certificate + DFA apostille/red ribbon.
Disputed beneficiaries → File at SSS/GSIS; unresolved cases go to Social Security Commission or GSIS Board.
Remarriage of spouse → Pension stops; remaining balance paid as lump-sum to children.
Minor children → Guardian (court-appointed or surviving parent) files; pension held in trust until majority.

Step-by-Step Guide: Filing Death Benefit After Receiving Funeral Benefit

Secure PSA Death Certificate (apply immediately after burial).
Gather all supporting documents (marriage, birth certs).
Register/log in to My.SSS or GW@PS (GSIS).
Accomplish and upload electronic claim form.
Receive acknowledgment receipt and track status online.
If approved, pension credited monthly to bank account; lump-sum within 30 days.
For disputes, file motion for reconsideration within 30 days.

Recent Developments (as of November 2025)

SSS: Full implementation of electronic death claims; no over-the-counter filing for death benefits.
GSIS: Mandatory use of UMID-eCard for all survivorship applications.
Digital PSA certificates now accepted without physical presentation.
Automatic loan condonation upon death notification.

Conclusion

Filing a death benefit claim after a funeral claim is not only allowed but standard practice in the Philippines. The claims are separate, with distinct purposes, claimants, and documentary requirements. Adhering to the 10-year (SSS/Pag-IBIG) or 4-year (GSIS) prescriptive periods is critical. Prompt gathering of PSA-issued documents and use of online portals significantly reduce processing time. Beneficiaries are encouraged to consult the nearest SSS/GSIS branch or hotline (SSS: 8-145-555; GSIS: 8847-4747) for case-specific guidance. Timely claims ensure that the social security safety net fulfills its purpose of protecting Filipino families during bereavement.