I. Introduction

In the Philippine Social Security System, disability benefits are not limited to injuries such as loss of limbs, blindness, or paralysis. The SSS also recognizes certain internal organ losses or removals as compensable disabilities when they result in permanent loss or impairment of bodily function.

One of the recognized conditions under SSS disability rules is hysterectomy, or the surgical removal of the uterus. For SSS purposes, hysterectomy is generally treated as a form of partial disability, not total disability, because the member is not presumed to be completely and permanently unable to work merely by reason of the operation. Instead, the benefit is computed according to the number of months assigned by SSS rules to the specific loss or impairment.

This article explains, in the Philippine context, how SSS partial disability benefits are computed for hysterectomy, who may qualify, what kind of benefit may be paid, and what practical issues commonly arise.

II. Legal Basis of SSS Disability Benefits

The SSS disability benefit is governed principally by the Social Security Act of 2018, which amended and replaced earlier provisions of the Social Security Law. The law provides benefits to covered members who suffer disability, subject to qualifying contribution requirements and SSS evaluation.

SSS disability benefits may be paid for:

Permanent total disability, where the member is considered totally and permanently disabled; or
Permanent partial disability, where the member suffers the permanent loss or impairment of a specific body part, organ, or function.

A hysterectomy is ordinarily assessed under the second category: permanent partial disability.

III. What Is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Depending on the medical condition and procedure performed, it may be classified as:

Total hysterectomy – removal of the entire uterus including the cervix;
Subtotal or partial hysterectomy – removal of the upper portion of the uterus while the cervix remains;
Radical hysterectomy – removal of the uterus, cervix, surrounding tissue, and sometimes part of the vagina, usually in cancer cases;
Hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy – removal of the uterus together with one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes.

For SSS disability purposes, the key question is not simply the medical label, but whether the operation resulted in a compensable permanent loss under SSS rules.

IV. Why Hysterectomy May Be Compensable as Partial Disability

The uterus is a reproductive organ. Its surgical removal causes permanent loss of uterine function, including the capacity to carry pregnancy. Because the loss is permanent, SSS may recognize it as a compensable partial disability.

However, hysterectomy is not automatically treated as total disability. A member who has undergone hysterectomy may still be physically capable of employment, business, or other gainful activity. Thus, the benefit is usually computed based on the scheduled number of months assigned to the condition.

V. Hysterectomy as Permanent Partial Disability

SSS uses a schedule of disabilities for permanent partial disability claims. This schedule assigns a specific number of compensable months depending on the body part, organ, or function affected.

For hysterectomy, SSS has historically treated the condition as compensable for a fixed number of months. The commonly applied schedule assigns:

Hysterectomy – 60 months

This means that, for computation purposes, the member’s monthly disability pension or equivalent monthly benefit is multiplied by 60 months, subject to the rules on whether the benefit is paid as a monthly pension or lump sum.

The 60-month period does not necessarily mean the member is unable to work for 60 months. It is a legal and actuarial measure used to compute the benefit.

VI. Who May Qualify for SSS Disability Benefit for Hysterectomy?

A member may qualify if the following are generally present:

The claimant is an SSS member;
The member has undergone hysterectomy;
The condition is medically documented;
The hysterectomy resulted in permanent loss covered by SSS disability rules;
The member satisfies the required number of SSS contributions;
The disability is evaluated and approved by SSS.

The benefit is not based merely on the fact that surgery was performed. The claim must be supported by medical records and must be approved through the SSS disability evaluation process.

VII. Contribution Requirement

The type of disability benefit depends heavily on the member’s number of posted SSS contributions before the semester of disability.

In general:

A member with at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability may qualify for a monthly disability pension.
A member with fewer than 36 monthly contributions may qualify only for a lump sum disability benefit.

The phrase “before the semester of disability” is important. SSS usually excludes contributions paid during or after the semester when the disability occurred for purposes of determining eligibility.

A semester means two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of disability. Therefore, identifying the correct semester of contingency can affect whether a member meets the contribution requirement.

VIII. When Is the “Disability” Deemed to Occur in Hysterectomy Cases?

For hysterectomy claims, the disability date is usually connected to the date of surgery or the date when the permanent loss occurred. In practical terms, SSS will look at medical records, including:

Operative record;
Hospital abstract;
Discharge summary;
Pathology report, if applicable;
Medical certificate;
Attending physician’s report;
Other diagnostic or surgical documents.

The exact date matters because it affects the computation of the qualifying contributions and the member’s average monthly salary credit.

IX. Types of SSS Disability Benefit

There are two general modes of payment:

A. Monthly Disability Pension

A monthly pension may be granted if the member has at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability.

For permanent partial disability, the pension is usually payable only for the number of months assigned to the disability. For hysterectomy, that period is commonly 60 months.

Thus, if the monthly disability pension is ₱X, the total value of the partial disability benefit is generally:

₱X × 60 months

However, whether SSS pays it monthly or in lump-sum form may depend on the applicable rules, the computed duration, and administrative processing.

B. Lump Sum Disability Benefit

A lump sum benefit may apply when:

The member has fewer than 36 monthly contributions; or
The disability is payable for a period that, under SSS rules, is converted to a lump sum; or
The benefit is otherwise subject to lump sum settlement under SSS procedures.

For a member with fewer than 36 contributions, the lump sum is generally based on the monthly pension equivalent multiplied by either the number of contributions paid or the number of months assigned to the disability, depending on the applicable formula and whichever rule governs the case.

For hysterectomy, the scheduled disability period is generally 60 months.

X. Basic Formula for Partial Disability Benefit for Hysterectomy

The simplified computation is:

Monthly disability pension × 60 months

Where:

Monthly disability pension is determined from the member’s SSS contribution history and average monthly salary credit;
60 months is the scheduled period for hysterectomy;
The resulting amount may be paid monthly or as a lump sum, depending on eligibility and SSS rules.

Example:

Assume the member’s computed monthly disability pension is ₱4,000.

For hysterectomy:

₱4,000 × 60 months = ₱240,000

The total disability benefit value would be ₱240,000, subject to SSS approval, deductions, offsets, and applicable rules.

XI. How the Monthly Disability Pension Is Determined

The monthly disability pension is not chosen by the member and is not based directly on hospital bills, surgical cost, income loss, or pain and suffering. It is computed under SSS formulas using the member’s covered earnings and contributions.

The amount depends on factors such as:

Number of credited years of service;
Average monthly salary credit;
Applicable SSS pension formula;
Minimum pension rules;
Supplemental allowance or additional benefits, if applicable.

The SSS monthly pension formula traditionally considers the highest result among statutory computations, subject to minimum pension rules. The details may vary depending on the date of contingency and current SSS circulars.

For practical purposes, the member’s posted contributions and monthly salary credits are the foundation of the computation.

XII. Average Monthly Salary Credit

The monthly salary credit, or MSC, is the compensation base used by SSS for contribution and benefit computation. A member’s actual salary is translated into an MSC according to the SSS contribution table.

For example, an employee earning within a particular salary bracket is assigned a corresponding MSC. The higher the MSC and the longer the contribution history, the higher the potential pension.

For disability benefits, SSS determines the relevant average monthly salary credit based on the member’s contribution records before the semester of disability.

XIII. Credited Years of Service

The credited years of service, or CYS, may also affect the monthly pension. In simple terms, CYS reflects the length of a member’s SSS coverage and contribution history.

A longer contribution record generally improves the pension computation. This is why two members who both underwent hysterectomy may receive different disability benefit amounts. The benefit is not uniform; it depends on each member’s SSS record.

XIV. Minimum Monthly Disability Pension

SSS rules provide minimum monthly pensions depending on the member’s credited years of service.

Commonly, the minimum monthly disability pension has been applied along these lines:

At least 10 credited years of service – higher minimum pension;
Less than 10 credited years of service – lower minimum pension.

Because minimum amounts and related rules may be affected by later SSS issuances, the actual figure should be verified from the member’s current SSS computation at the time of claim.

XV. Dependent’s Pension

In total disability pension cases, dependent minor children may entitle the member to dependent’s pension. In partial disability cases, the availability and treatment of dependent’s pension can be more limited and depends on the nature of the approved benefit and SSS rules.

For hysterectomy classified as partial disability, the principal benefit is the scheduled partial disability benefit. Any dependent-related amount must be confirmed through the SSS award computation.

XVI. Supplemental Allowance

SSS disability pensioners may be entitled to a supplemental allowance, subject to existing SSS rules. However, whether and how this applies in a partial disability case such as hysterectomy depends on the benefit classification and payment mode.

If the claim is paid as a lump sum, the supplemental allowance may not operate in the same way as it does in continuing monthly pension cases.

XVII. Hysterectomy Benefit Is Not Reimbursement of Medical Expenses

A frequent misunderstanding is that SSS disability benefits reimburse the cost of surgery. They do not.

The SSS disability benefit is a social insurance benefit based on disability and contribution history. It is separate from:

PhilHealth benefits;
HMO coverage;
employer medical assistance;
hospital discounts;
maternity benefits;
sickness benefits;
employees’ compensation benefits.

Therefore, even if the member’s hospital bill was fully paid by PhilHealth or an HMO, she may still pursue an SSS disability claim if the hysterectomy qualifies. Conversely, a large hospital bill does not necessarily increase the SSS disability benefit.

XVIII. Difference Between SSS Sickness Benefit and Disability Benefit

A member who undergoes hysterectomy may think of claiming sickness benefit, disability benefit, or both. They are different.

A. Sickness Benefit

SSS sickness benefit compensates a member for temporary inability to work due to illness or injury. It is usually based on days of confinement or medical leave and requires employer or member notification.

B. Disability Benefit

SSS disability benefit compensates permanent loss or impairment. For hysterectomy, the relevant theory is permanent loss of reproductive organ function.

A member may have a period of temporary incapacity after surgery and also suffer permanent partial disability. Whether both benefits may be claimed depends on the facts, timing, and SSS rules against duplication for the same period or contingency.

XIX. Difference Between Hysterectomy and Maternity Benefit

A hysterectomy is not a maternity contingency. SSS maternity benefit applies to childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy, subject to maternity benefit rules.

A hysterectomy may sometimes occur in connection with pregnancy complications, childbirth, or obstetric emergencies. In that situation, there may be overlapping medical facts, but the legal bases remain distinct:

Maternity benefit – pregnancy-related contingency;
Sickness benefit – temporary incapacity;
Disability benefit – permanent loss or impairment.

The member’s entitlement depends on the specific facts and the rules applicable to each benefit.

XX. Hysterectomy Due to Cancer or Serious Disease

If the hysterectomy was performed due to cancer, severe endometriosis, uterine myoma, adenomyosis, prolapse, hemorrhage, or another serious condition, SSS will still focus on the compensable disability and medical documentation.

However, if the underlying illness itself causes broader incapacity, the member may attempt to claim a more extensive disability classification. For example, cancer with severe complications may raise issues beyond the hysterectomy itself.

Still, the removal of the uterus alone is generally classified under the scheduled partial disability item, not automatically total disability.

XXI. Hysterectomy With Removal of Ovaries

A hysterectomy may be accompanied by removal of one or both ovaries. This can matter because the ovaries have separate reproductive and hormonal functions.

If the uterus and ovaries are removed, the member should submit complete operative and pathology records so SSS can determine whether additional scheduled disability items apply. However, SSS does not automatically “stack” benefits merely because multiple organs are mentioned. The agency evaluates the actual loss and applies its rules on multiple partial disabilities.

Where more than one disability is involved, SSS may compute the benefit according to the combined disability rating or applicable schedule, subject to maximum limits.

XXII. Prior Disability Claims and Successive Claims

If the member previously received an SSS disability benefit, the hysterectomy claim may be affected.

SSS considers whether the new claim is:

A separate disability;
A progression of a prior disability;
Already compensated under a previous award;
Subject to deduction, offset, or limitation.

For example, if a member has an earlier partial disability award, SSS may review whether the total combined disability period exceeds the allowable limit. Disability benefits are not intended to duplicate compensation for the same loss.

XXIII. Maximum Limits

Permanent partial disability benefits are subject to the statutory and regulatory structure of the SSS disability program. Even if several impairments exist, there may be maximum limits on payable periods or total disability classification.

A scheduled 60-month hysterectomy benefit is a significant partial disability award, but it does not necessarily create entitlement to lifetime monthly pension. Lifetime benefits are generally associated with permanent total disability, subject to continuing eligibility and SSS rules.

XXIV. Documents Commonly Required

A hysterectomy disability claim commonly requires:

SSS disability claim application;
SSS medical certificate or physician’s report;
Operative record;
Hospital abstract;
Discharge summary;
Histopathology or biopsy report, if applicable;
Laboratory and imaging results;
Valid identification documents;
SSS number and member records;
Bank enrollment or disbursement account details;
Additional documents requested by SSS medical evaluators.

For employed members, employer certification or employment-related documents may also be required depending on the claim type and filing procedure.

XXV. Importance of the Operative Record

The operative record is often the most important medical document in a hysterectomy disability claim. It confirms:

The date of surgery;
The type of procedure performed;
The organ or organs removed;
The diagnosis;
Whether ovaries or fallopian tubes were also removed;
The attending surgeon;
The hospital where the procedure took place.

A vague medical certificate stating only “post-hysterectomy” may not be enough. SSS may require proof of the actual surgical procedure.

XXVI. Filing Procedure

The general procedure is:

Secure the required medical documents;
Complete the SSS disability claim form;
Submit the claim through the appropriate SSS channel;
Undergo medical evaluation if required;
Wait for SSS approval, denial, or request for additional documents;
Receive the benefit through the approved disbursement method if granted.

SSS may require the claimant to appear for medical evaluation or submit additional documentation.

XXVII. Medical Evaluation by SSS

SSS does not simply accept every diagnosis at face value. Its medical evaluators review the evidence and determine:

Whether the hysterectomy actually occurred;
Whether it falls under the compensable disability schedule;
The proper disability rating;
The correct date of disability;
Whether the claim is complete;
Whether there are other related or unrelated disabilities.

The final SSS medical evaluation controls the award, subject to appeal or reconsideration.

XXVIII. Computation Example: Member With Monthly Pension Eligibility

Assume the following:

Member has more than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability;
SSS computes her monthly disability pension at ₱5,000;
Hysterectomy is rated at 60 months.

Computation:

₱5,000 × 60 = ₱300,000

The total disability benefit value is ₱300,000.

Depending on SSS rules and processing, this may be paid monthly over the scheduled period or converted into a lump sum if applicable.

XXIX. Computation Example: Member With Fewer Than 36 Contributions

Assume:

Member has fewer than 36 monthly contributions;
She does not qualify for monthly disability pension;
SSS computes a lump sum based on applicable rules;
Hysterectomy is rated at 60 months.

In such cases, the claimant may receive a lump sum rather than monthly pension. The exact amount will depend on the member’s posted contributions and the statutory formula.

The important point is that a member with fewer than 36 contributions is not necessarily disqualified from receiving anything. She may still receive a lump sum if SSS approves the disability claim.

XXX. Why Benefit Amounts Differ Among Members

Two women who underwent the same procedure may receive different SSS disability amounts because of differences in:

Number of contributions;
Monthly salary credits;
credited years of service;
date of disability;
prior claims;
employment or contribution status;
completeness of records;
SSS medical evaluation;
payment mode;
applicable law or circular at the time of contingency.

The hysterectomy schedule may be the same, but the monthly pension base may differ.

XXXI. Does Age Matter?

Age may matter indirectly but is not the main basis for computation. The benefit is based primarily on disability classification and contribution record.

However, age may affect related issues, such as:

Whether the claimant is already a retirement pensioner;
Whether the claim is filed before or after retirement;
Whether the member has overlapping retirement and disability benefit issues;
The medical assessment of reproductive loss.

A hysterectomy after menopause may still be a surgical removal of the uterus, but SSS may evaluate the claim under its disability schedule rather than under a subjective fertility-loss analysis.

XXXII. Disability Benefit and Retirement Benefit

If a member is already receiving retirement pension, a new disability claim may raise complex issues. SSS may not allow duplication of benefits in a manner inconsistent with the law.

If a member has not yet retired, a disability benefit may affect later retirement computations depending on the type of benefit, timing, and contribution history.

Members close to retirement age should carefully check how filing a disability claim may interact with their retirement benefit.

XXXIII. Effect of Employment After Hysterectomy

A member may still work after a hysterectomy. Continued employment does not automatically defeat a partial disability claim, because partial disability benefits compensate scheduled permanent loss, not necessarily complete loss of earning capacity.

However, employment status may affect related sickness benefits, employer certifications, contribution records, or other documentation.

XXXIV. Is Hysterectomy Considered Permanent Total Disability?

Ordinarily, no.

Permanent total disability usually involves conditions such as complete loss of sight of both eyes, loss of two limbs, permanent paralysis, severe brain injury, or other conditions that render the member unable to engage in gainful employment.

A hysterectomy is generally classified as permanent partial disability because the loss is specific and scheduled.

However, where hysterectomy is part of a larger medical condition that causes total and permanent incapacity, the claimant may present evidence of the broader condition. SSS will evaluate the total medical picture.

XXXV. Common Reasons for Denial or Delay

Claims may be denied or delayed because:

Incomplete medical records;
No operative report;
Unclear diagnosis;
Inconsistent surgery date;
Contributions do not meet requirements for monthly pension;
Disability date falls within a problematic contribution period;
Claim filed under the wrong benefit type;
Prior disability already compensated;
SSS requires further medical evaluation;
Bank or disbursement account issues;
Mismatch in personal information;
Late or incomplete compliance with SSS requests.

A denial does not always mean the condition is not compensable. Sometimes the issue is documentary or computational.

XXXVI. Reconsideration and Appeal

If SSS denies the claim or grants a lower benefit than expected, the member may seek reconsideration or use the available appeal process.

The claimant should secure:

Copy of the SSS decision;
Explanation of denial or computation;
Complete medical records;
Updated medical certificate;
Contribution records;
Proof of surgery;
Legal or technical argument, if needed.

The appeal should focus on the specific reason for denial. For example, if SSS denied the claim due to insufficient proof of hysterectomy, the operative record and pathology report may be crucial. If the dispute concerns computation, the member should examine the contribution record and salary credits used.

XXXVII. Relationship With Employees’ Compensation

If the hysterectomy is allegedly work-related, an Employees’ Compensation, or EC, claim may also be considered. However, hysterectomy is often caused by personal medical conditions rather than occupational injury or disease.

An EC claim requires proof that the illness or injury is work-connected under EC rules. This is a separate inquiry from ordinary SSS disability entitlement.

A member may have an SSS disability claim even if there is no EC claim.

XXXVIII. Taxability and Nature of the Benefit

SSS benefits are social security benefits. They are generally not treated like ordinary salary or private damages. The disability benefit is not compensation for moral damages, pain and suffering, or medical negligence. It is a statutory benefit arising from membership and contributions.

XXXIX. Practical Checklist for Claimants

A claimant preparing a hysterectomy disability claim should check the following:

Is the SSS number active and correct?
Are all contributions properly posted?
What is the date of surgery?
What semester of disability will SSS use?
Were there at least 36 contributions before that semester?
Is the operative record available?
Does the hospital abstract clearly state hysterectomy?
Were ovaries or fallopian tubes also removed?
Is the pathology report available?
Has the claimant filed any previous disability claim?
Is the disbursement account properly enrolled?
Are the names, birthdate, and civil status consistent across records?

XL. Practical Computation Framework

To estimate the benefit, use this framework:

Step 1: Identify the disability

For hysterectomy:

Scheduled disability period: 60 months

Step 2: Determine contribution eligibility

Check whether the member has at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability.

Step 3: Determine the monthly disability pension

This depends on SSS computation using salary credits, credited years of service, and statutory minimums.

Step 4: Multiply by the scheduled period

For hysterectomy:

Monthly disability pension × 60

Step 5: Determine mode of payment

The benefit may be paid as a pension for the scheduled period or as a lump sum, depending on contribution status and SSS rules.

XLI. Sample Computation Table

Computed Monthly Disability Pension	Hysterectomy Rating	Estimated Total Benefit
₱2,000	60 months	₱120,000
₱3,000	60 months	₱180,000
₱4,000	60 months	₱240,000
₱5,000	60 months	₱300,000
₱6,000	60 months	₱360,000
₱8,000	60 months	₱480,000
₱10,000	60 months	₱600,000

These are illustrative only. The actual amount depends on SSS computation.

XLII. Special Issue: Partial Disability Paid in Lump Sum

Even where a member qualifies for pension, permanent partial disability awards may sometimes be paid in lump sum depending on the number of payable months and governing rules. In practice, claimants often receive scheduled partial disability benefits as a lump sum.

For hysterectomy, because the schedule is 60 months, the total award may be computed by multiplying the monthly pension by 60. The release may then be made according to SSS processing rules.

The claimant should examine the Notice of Approval or benefit computation sheet to see whether SSS treated the award as monthly pension or lump sum.

XLIII. Special Issue: Hysterectomy and Menopause

A possible question is whether hysterectomy is compensable if the member is already menopausal. The disability schedule focuses on the anatomical and functional loss, not simply on whether the claimant intended or was still able to become pregnant.

However, SSS medical evaluation may consider the claimant’s full medical context. The safer practical position is that the claimant should submit the claim and allow SSS to apply its schedule, rather than assume non-entitlement due to age or menopause.

XLIV. Special Issue: Myoma, Adenomyosis, and Endometriosis

Many hysterectomies in the Philippines are performed because of uterine myoma, adenomyosis, endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, or prolapse.

The compensable disability is generally the hysterectomy itself, not the underlying diagnosis alone. A diagnosis of myoma without surgical removal of the uterus does not necessarily create the same partial disability claim.

XLV. Special Issue: Cancer-Related Hysterectomy

Where hysterectomy is due to cervical, uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, the claimant should consider whether the cancer itself has caused additional disability.

SSS may classify the claim differently if the cancer results in severe systemic impairment or total disability. But if the claim is based only on removal of the uterus, the scheduled hysterectomy rating is usually the starting point.

XLVI. Special Issue: Multiple Surgeries

If the member had multiple reproductive organ surgeries over time, such as prior oophorectomy followed by hysterectomy, SSS will consider whether each surgery represents a separate compensable loss or whether a prior award already covered part of the disability.

The member should disclose prior claims and submit all operative records. Failure to disclose prior disability claims may delay evaluation.

XLVII. Special Issue: Late Filing

SSS claims should be filed promptly. Late filing may complicate proof, especially if hospital records are difficult to retrieve. While disability claims are not always denied solely because the surgery happened years earlier, delay can create evidentiary problems.

The older the surgery, the more important it is to obtain certified true copies of the operative record, hospital abstract, and pathology report.

XLVIII. Legal Character of the 60-Month Rating

The 60-month figure is not an award for emotional distress, fertility expectations, or personal circumstances. It is a scheduled statutory or administrative disability value.

This means SSS does not ordinarily adjust the 60-month rating upward simply because:

The surgery was painful;
The hospital bill was high;
The member suffered emotional trauma;
The member lost the ability to bear children;
The member was young;
The member’s condition was serious.

Those facts may matter medically or personally, but SSS computation is schedule-based unless there are additional compensable disabilities.

XLIX. Common Misconceptions

1. “SSS will pay the amount of my hospital bill.”

Incorrect. SSS disability benefit is not medical reimbursement.

2. “All hysterectomy claimants receive the same amount.”

Incorrect. The rating may be the same, but the pension base differs.

3. “Hysterectomy automatically means lifetime pension.”

Incorrect. It is generally partial disability, commonly computed for 60 months.

4. “I cannot claim because I can still work.”

Incorrect. Permanent partial disability may be compensable even if the member can still work.

5. “PhilHealth payment bars SSS disability claim.”

Incorrect. PhilHealth and SSS benefits are separate.

6. “A medical certificate alone is always enough.”

Often incorrect. SSS may require operative and hospital records.

L. Legal and Practical Conclusion

In the Philippine SSS system, hysterectomy is generally treated as a permanent partial disability. The commonly applied scheduled rating is 60 months. The basic computation is:

Monthly disability pension × 60 months

The monthly pension base depends on the member’s contribution record, monthly salary credits, credited years of service, and applicable SSS formulas. A member with at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability may qualify for a monthly disability pension basis, while a member with fewer contributions may receive a lump sum benefit if the claim is approved.

The most important documents are the operative record, hospital abstract, discharge summary, pathology report, and SSS medical forms. The most important computation issues are the date of disability, the semester of contingency, the number of qualifying contributions, the monthly salary credit, and whether any prior disability claim affects the award.

A hysterectomy claim is therefore not a fixed cash grant and not a hospital reimbursement. It is a scheduled SSS partial disability benefit whose final amount depends on both the medical classification and the member’s SSS contribution history.