SSS Maternity Benefit Denial: How to Appeal in the Philippines

A denied SSS maternity benefit can feel confusing and unfair, especially when you were counting on the money for delivery, recovery, and newborn expenses. The good news is that a denial is not always the end of the matter. Many SSS maternity benefit denials are caused by missing documents, wrong contribution counting, employer reporting gaps, DAEM bank issues, or an SSS system record that can still be corrected. This guide explains why claims are denied, how to check if the denial is valid, how to request reconsideration, when to elevate the dispute to the Social Security Commission, and what documents usually make or break an appeal.

What the SSS Maternity Benefit Covers

The SSS Maternity Benefit is a daily cash allowance for a qualified female SSS member who cannot work because of childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. SSS states that the benefit applies in every instance of childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy, regardless of civil status, employment status, legitimacy of the child, or frequency of pregnancy. (Social Security System)

For contingencies covered by Republic Act No. 11210, also called the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, the benefit period is generally:

Contingency Compensable period
Live childbirth, whether normal or caesarean 105 days
Live childbirth if the member qualifies as a solo parent 120 days
Miscarriage, emergency termination of pregnancy, or stillbirth 60 days

SSS computes the daily maternity allowance based on 100% of the member’s average daily salary credit, using the six highest monthly salary credits within the relevant 12-month period, then multiplying the daily allowance by 60, 105, or 120 days, as applicable. (Social Security System)

For employed members, the employer generally advances the SSS maternity benefit within 30 days from the filing of the maternity leave application, then seeks reimbursement from SSS. For self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouse, OFW, separated, or currently unemployed members, SSS pays the qualified member directly through an approved disbursement account. (Social Security System)

Legal Basis for Appealing an SSS Maternity Benefit Denial

The main legal bases are:

Legal source Why it matters
Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018 Establishes the SSS system and gives the Social Security Commission authority over disputes involving coverage, benefits, contributions, penalties, and related matters. (Social Security System)
Republic Act No. 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law Expanded maternity leave and SSS maternity benefit rules for childbirth, miscarriage, emergency termination of pregnancy, and solo parent additional leave. (Lawphil)
SSS Maternity Benefit Rules Provide the current SSS eligibility, computation, filing, document, payment, and prescriptive-period rules for maternity claims. (Social Security System)
2016 Rules of Procedure of the Social Security Commission Govern petitions filed with the SSC when an SSS dispute cannot be resolved administratively. The rules require prior written action by SSS and, for denied benefit claims, a certification or resolution from the Benefits Review Committee and/or Flag Clearing Committee. (Social Security System)
Supreme Court doctrine on social legislation The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that social legislation should be liberally construed in favor of intended beneficiaries when doubt exists, while still requiring proof of eligibility. (Supreme Court E-Library)

A practical point is important: an appeal is strongest when it does not merely say “I need the money” or “I disagree.” It should identify the exact SSS reason for denial, show the correct legal or factual basis, and attach documents that directly answer the reason for denial.

First Check: Was Your Claim Really “Denied” or Only “Returned for Compliance”?

Before preparing a formal appeal, read the SSS notice carefully. In practice, members often use “denied,” “rejected,” and “disapproved” interchangeably, but they may mean different things.

SSS status or message What it usually means Best first move
For compliance / returned / rejected due to document issue SSS may not have finally denied entitlement; it may only need a clearer or correct document. Correct the document and resubmit through My.SSS or the channel indicated.
Disapproved / denied due to contribution deficiency SSS believes you do not meet the three-contribution rule. Recompute the semester and 12-month period; check posting dates and payment records.
Denied due to no maternity notification SSS may not see a valid pregnancy notification from you or your employer. Gather proof of notice, employer certification, screenshots, or branch records.
Crediting failed / DAEM issue The claim may be approved, but payment failed because of bank, e-wallet, or account enrollment issues. Correct DAEM details and request re-disbursement.
Reimbursement denied to employer SSS may question advance payment, documents, employment status, or legality of reimbursement. Employer must submit proof of payment and supporting employment documents.

SSS releases maternity benefits through the member’s or employer’s approved Disbursement Account Enrollment Module account. If crediting fails, SSS requires the member or employer to update or enroll a valid disbursement account and request re-disbursement through My.SSS. (Social Security System)

Common Reasons SSS Maternity Benefit Claims Are Denied

1. Not enough qualifying contributions

The most common issue is the three-month contribution rule. To qualify, the member must have paid at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. SSS considers only contributions paid before the semester of contingency. (Social Security System)

The “semester of contingency” is often misunderstood. A semester means two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter of delivery, miscarriage, or ETP. A quarter ends in March, June, September, or December. (Social Security System)

Example:

Delivery month Quarter of delivery Semester of contingency 12-month qualifying period
May 2026 April–June 2026 January–June 2026 January–December 2025
August 2026 July–September 2026 April–September 2026 April 2025–March 2026
November 2026 October–December 2026 July–December 2026 July 2025–June 2026

A contribution paid late may appear in your record but still be excluded if it was paid within or after the semester of contingency. This is why payment date and posting date matter.

2. Maternity notification problem

An employed member must inform her employer of the pregnancy and expected date of childbirth. The employer then transmits the maternity notification to SSS. Self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouse, and OFW members notify SSS directly. (Social Security System)

If the employer failed to transmit the notification, the appeal should not rely on verbal explanations alone. Attach proof such as:

  • copy of the maternity notification form;
  • email or HR portal request;
  • ultrasound or pregnancy test submitted to HR;
  • employer certification that notice was received;
  • screenshots from My.SSS, if available;
  • written explanation from the employer if the delay was on their side.

3. Wrong or incomplete childbirth document

For live childbirth, SSS generally requires the child’s Certificate of Live Birth or Certificate of Death registered with the Local Civil Registrar if the filing is within six months from delivery, or the PSA-issued document if filing beyond six months. For birth or death abroad, SSS recognizes a Report of Birth or Report of Death issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, PSA, or an equivalent foreign document with English translation when applicable. (Social Security System)

Common problems include:

  • blurred upload;
  • wrong page uploaded;
  • birth certificate not yet registered;
  • mismatched mother’s name;
  • no LCR official receipt or acknowledgement receipt when required;
  • foreign document without English translation;
  • using hospital records when SSS requires civil registry proof.

4. Name, birth date, civil status, or SSS number mismatch

Even small inconsistencies can delay or derail a claim: maiden name vs. married name, wrong middle name, different spelling in the PSA record, or inconsistent birth date. The appeal should include the correct civil registry document and, if needed, proof of identity and prior SSS data-change submission.

5. Employer did not remit or underreported contributions

If the member was employed but SSS records show missing contributions, the member should secure payslips, certificate of employment, payroll records, BIR Form 2316 if relevant, and proof of salary deductions. Employer failure to remit contributions is not the same as member ineligibility in every situation, but it must be proven through records.

Under SSS rules, employers must pay in advance qualified SSS maternity benefits to employees based on SSS-approved maternity notification and must comply with SSS documentary requirements. (Social Security System)

6. Wrong claim type

A miscarriage, stillbirth, emergency termination of pregnancy, normal delivery, and caesarean delivery may require different supporting documents. For older contingencies before March 11, 2019, caesarean delivery may require medical documents such as an operating room record, surgical memorandum, discharge summary, clinical abstract, delivery report, detailed invoice for caesarean delivery abroad, or similar medical document. (Social Security System)

7. Employer reimbursement problem

Sometimes the employee has already received the maternity benefit, but the employer’s reimbursement claim is denied. This usually involves MBRA issues such as lack of proof of advance payment, missing birth documents, wrong employment status, or inconsistent advance-payment records. SSS recognizes proof of advance payment such as a cash voucher signed by the member or proof of bank credit or transfer with payslip or similar document. (Social Security System)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Appeal an SSS Maternity Benefit Denial

Step 1: Save the denial notice and note the date you received it

Download or screenshot the SSS notice, email, My.SSS status, or branch letter. Save the date and method of receipt. This matters because later remedies, especially before the SSC or courts, depend on proving when you received an adverse action.

Create a simple file folder with:

  1. denial notice or screenshot;
  2. maternity benefit application reference number;
  3. maternity notification reference, if any;
  4. SSS contribution records;
  5. proof of payment or remittance;
  6. birth, death, fetal death, miscarriage, or ETP documents;
  7. employer documents, if employed;
  8. DAEM proof, if payment failed.

Step 2: Identify the exact reason for denial

Do not appeal blindly. The correct response depends on the ground.

Denial reason What to check
Insufficient contributions Semester of contingency, 12-month window, payment dates, posting, PRN, employer remittance
No notification Proof of notice to employer or SSS, employer transmission, My.SSS confirmation
Invalid document Type of document, registration, PSA/LCR status, upload quality, translation
Employer reimbursement denied Proof of advance payment, payroll, employment status, L501/signatory authority
DAEM issue Account name, bank/e-wallet validity, account approval status
Duplicate or overlapping claim Dates of prior contingency and whether SSS applied overlap deduction correctly

Step 3: Recompute the qualifying period yourself

Use this formula:

  1. Find the month of childbirth, miscarriage, or ETP.
  2. Identify its quarter.
  3. Include that quarter and the immediately preceding quarter. That is the semester of contingency.
  4. Exclude that semester.
  5. Count 12 months backward from the month immediately before the semester.
  6. Check whether at least three contributions were paid in that 12-month period and paid before the semester of contingency.

If the denial is based on “late contribution,” separate the applicable month from the date actually paid. The applicable month may be inside the qualifying period, but SSS may still exclude it if it was paid within or after the semester of contingency. SSS expressly states that contributions paid within or after the semester of contingency are not considered in the benefit computation. (Social Security System)

Step 4: Fix simple compliance issues first

If the notice only asks for a clearer document, a PSA copy, a corrected upload, or DAEM correction, do that first. A formal legal appeal is usually unnecessary when the issue is curable online.

Common quick fixes include:

  • uploading a clearer scanned colored original or certified true copy;
  • replacing a hospital birth record with LCR or PSA proof;
  • uploading the LCR official receipt or acknowledgement receipt;
  • correcting DAEM bank details;
  • updating member contact details for OTP access;
  • asking the employer to submit or correct the MBRA;
  • filing an adjustment if the issue is amount, claim type, unused allocation, or newly posted qualifying contributions.

SSS allows maternity benefit applications and reimbursement applications to be filed online through My.SSS. (Social Security System)

Step 5: File a written request for reconsideration with SSS

If you believe the denial is wrong, submit a Request for Reconsideration to the SSS branch, processing unit, or online channel indicated in the denial. Keep the letter factual and organized.

Your letter should include:

  1. your full name, SSS number, contact number, and email;
  2. claim reference number;
  3. date of childbirth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or ETP;
  4. the SSS reason for denial;
  5. why the denial is incorrect;
  6. list of attached proof;
  7. specific request, such as approval, reprocessing, adjustment, posting correction, or written final action.

For contribution issues, attach a table like this:

Month Contribution status in SSS record Proof attached Why it should count
January 2025 Posted PRN receipt / payslip Within qualifying period, paid before semester
March 2025 Not posted Payslip showing deduction Employer deducted but did not properly remit
June 2025 Posted late Payment receipt Explain why payment date should or should not affect claim

Step 6: Ask for written action and Benefits Review Committee action if denial is maintained

This is crucial. Under the 2016 Rules of Procedure of the Social Security Commission, a petition before the SSC must be supported by prior written action from the SSS office concerned. For denied SSS benefit claims, the petition must also be accompanied by a certification or resolution from the Benefits Review Committee and/or Flag Clearing Committee stating its findings and recommendation. (Social Security System)

In practical terms, if the branch or processing unit still denies your claim, ask for:

  • the written denial or final action;
  • the specific rule or computation used;
  • the BRC certification or resolution, if applicable;
  • a certified copy of relevant SSS records if you need them for the SSC petition.

Without these, the SSC may return the petition for compliance instead of docketing it.

Step 7: File a verified petition with the Social Security Commission if SSS maintains the denial

If SSS has acted in writing and the dispute remains unresolved, the next remedy is usually a verified petition before the Social Security Commission, the quasi-judicial body that hears SSS disputes.

A private person prejudiced by the enforcement or non-implementation of the Social Security Law may file a verified petition before the SSC personally or through counsel. SSS is an indispensable party in cases filed before the Commission. (Supreme Court E-Library)

A petition usually includes:

Requirement Practical note
Verified petition Must be signed under oath; facts must be stated clearly.
Certification against forum shopping Required to show you have not filed the same case elsewhere.
Written SSS action Attach denial, reconsideration result, or final written action.
BRC or Flag Clearing Committee certification/resolution Required for denied benefit claims when applicable.
Annexes Birth records, contribution records, payment proof, employer proof, SSS screenshots, correspondence.
Relief requested Approval, recomputation, reimbursement, correction of records, or other specific relief.

The SSC has allowed electronic filing of petitions and submissions by email to the Commission Clerk at cc@sss.gov.ph, but petitions must still comply with the formal requirements before they are docketed. Electronic filing also affects email service of orders and pleadings. (Social Security System)

Step 8: Prepare for mediation, hearings, and position papers

SSC proceedings are administrative and less formal than ordinary court cases. The SSC rules are liberally construed to help parties obtain an expeditious and inexpensive resolution, and the Commission is not strictly bound by technical rules of evidence.

Still, “less formal” does not mean “no evidence.” The most persuasive SSC petitions are documentary. Prepare a clean set of annexes with labels:

  • Annex A – SSS denial notice;
  • Annex B – Request for Reconsideration;
  • Annex C – SSS final action or BRC resolution;
  • Annex D – Contribution record;
  • Annex E series – PRN receipts, payslips, employer remittances;
  • Annex F – birth, fetal death, miscarriage, or ETP documents;
  • Annex G – employer certification or proof of notification;
  • Annex H – DAEM or disbursement proof, if relevant.

Step 9: If the SSC decision is adverse, observe the 15-day period

An aggrieved party may file a motion for reconsideration of an SSC order, award, or resolution within 15 calendar days from receipt. Only one motion for reconsideration is allowed. (Supreme Court E-Library)

If the SSC decision remains adverse, judicial review may be elevated to the Court of Appeals or, for pure questions of law, to the Supreme Court, subject to the rules stated in the SSC decision and the Rules of Court. The SSC rules state that a Commission decision becomes final after 15 calendar days absent an appeal, and that the filing of a motion for reconsideration suspends the running of the appeal period. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Documents Commonly Needed for an SSS Maternity Benefit Appeal

Situation Documents that commonly help
Live childbirth in the Philippines LCR-registered Certificate of Live Birth with OR/acknowledgement if within six months, or PSA Certificate of Live Birth if beyond six months
Child died after birth Certificate of Live Birth and Certificate of Death, depending on facts and filing date
Stillbirth or fetal death Certificate of Fetal Death from LCR or PSA, depending on filing date
Miscarriage or ETP Medical certificate, clinical abstract, ultrasound, histopathology report, hospital record, operative record if applicable
Delivery abroad Report of Birth/Death from Philippine Embassy/Consulate/PSA, or equivalent foreign record with English translation
Contribution dispute SSS contribution record, PRN receipts, employer payment records, payslips, certificate of employment, payroll register
Notification dispute Maternity notification form, employer certification, HR email, ultrasound submitted to employer, My.SSS screenshot
Employer reimbursement dispute Cash voucher signed by employee, bank transfer proof, payslip showing advance payment, L-501 authority/signatory proof
Name mismatch PSA birth certificate, PSA marriage certificate, valid IDs, approved SSS data-change record
DAEM/payment issue DAEM approval screenshot, bank certification, e-wallet account proof, failed crediting notice

For foreign documents, prepare an English translation if the document is not in English. If SSS questions authenticity, an apostille or consular authentication may be needed depending on the issuing country and document type, especially when the document was not issued through a Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

Fees, Timelines, and Practical Expectations

Item Usual practical expectation
SSS maternity claim filing No regular SSS filing fee, but you may spend for PSA documents, notarization, photocopying, courier, scanning, or translation.
Employer advance payment Employer should advance the full SSS maternity benefit within 30 days from filing of the maternity leave application. (Social Security System)
Prescriptive period Maternity benefit claims may be filed within 10 years from delivery, miscarriage, or ETP. (Social Security System)
Simple document correction Often resolved faster if the issue is only upload quality, wrong document, or DAEM correction.
Contribution posting dispute May take longer because SSS may need to validate payments, employer records, or collection lists.
Branch reconsideration Often several weeks, depending on branch workload and whether records must be verified.
SSC petition Can take months or longer if contested, especially if multiple hearings, position papers, or employer contribution issues are involved.

Do not rely only on verbal branch advice. Always ask for a written status, transaction number, or received copy.

Special Situations

If your employer failed to remit SSS contributions

If you were an employee and salary deductions were made, gather proof that the employer deducted or should have remitted contributions. A denial caused by employer non-remittance may require both a benefit dispute and a contribution compliance issue. SSS, not the barangay, is the proper starting point for SSS contribution records. If the dispute includes unpaid wages, salary differential, or maternity leave violations, DOLE procedures may also become relevant.

If your employer refused to advance the maternity benefit

For employed members, the employer’s obligation to advance the SSS maternity benefit is separate from SSS reimbursement. If SSS approved the maternity notification and the employer refuses to advance the benefit without basis, preserve payroll records, HR messages, and proof of leave application. Employer refusal may involve both SSS rules and labor standards obligations.

If the issue is salary differential, not SSS denial

The SSS maternity benefit is not always the same as full pay under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law. For employed female members, full pay may include the SSS maternity benefit plus the salary differential borne by the employer, unless the employer is exempt under the rules. SSS explains that salary differential is the difference between the SSS benefit received and the employee’s regular wage for the maternity leave period. (Social Security System)

If SSS paid the correct benefit but the employer failed to pay the salary differential, the problem may be a labor standards issue, not an SSS appeal.

If you gave birth abroad

An OFW or Filipino abroad may file based on foreign birth or medical documents, but SSS usually needs a Report of Birth/Death from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, PSA, or an equivalent foreign document with English translation. (Social Security System)

Practical tips:

  • keep the original foreign birth or medical document;
  • secure an official English translation if needed;
  • report the birth to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate when applicable;
  • keep proof of SSS payments and PRNs abroad;
  • check that your DAEM account can receive the benefit.

If you are a foreign national working in the Philippines

SSS maternity benefit eligibility depends on SSS coverage and contributions, not citizenship alone. SSS compulsory coverage applies to private-sector employees, and an employer may be domestic or foreign if it carries on business in the Philippines and uses the services of a worker under its orders. (Social Security System)

For foreign nationals, the common bottlenecks are identity-document consistency, local employment coverage, work-visa records, and foreign civil registry documents. If the childbirth happened outside the Philippines, prepare authenticated or apostilled records and English translations when needed.

Common Mistakes That Weaken an Appeal

  • Filing a long emotional letter without answering the specific denial reason.
  • Ignoring the semester-of-contingency computation.
  • Assuming that a contribution counts because it appears posted, without checking when it was paid.
  • Submitting hospital records when SSS requires LCR or PSA civil registry documents.
  • Uploading blurred, cropped, or black-and-white copies when SSS asks for colored originals or certified true copies.
  • Failing to get written SSS action before going to the SSC.
  • Not asking for the Benefits Review Committee or Flag Clearing Committee certification/resolution for a denied benefit claim.
  • Treating a DAEM failed-crediting problem as a legal denial.
  • Confusing SSS maternity benefit with employer salary differential.
  • Paying “fixers” or agents who promise guaranteed approval. Under SSC rules, persons preparing or pursuing SSS benefit claims cannot demand unauthorized fees, and even attorney’s fees in Commission cases are limited by the rules. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Sample Structure for a Request for Reconsideration

Use a clear, short format:

Subject: Request for Reconsideration of Denied SSS Maternity Benefit Claim

Body outline:

  1. Identify yourself, your SSS number, and claim reference number.
  2. State the contingency date and type: live childbirth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or ETP.
  3. Quote or summarize the SSS denial reason.
  4. Explain why the denial is incorrect.
  5. List the documents attached.
  6. Request re-evaluation, approval, recomputation, or written final action.

Example wording:

I respectfully request reconsideration of the denial of my SSS maternity benefit claim. The denial states that I lack the required three contributions within the qualifying period. Based on the semester-of-contingency computation, my delivery in May 2026 falls within the January–June 2026 semester, so the relevant 12-month period is January–December 2025. I have posted contributions for February, March, and April 2025, all paid before the semester of contingency, as shown in the attached SSS contribution record and PRN receipts. I respectfully request re-evaluation and approval of my maternity benefit claim, or issuance of written final action stating the factual and legal basis if the denial is maintained.

Keep the tone respectful and factual. A reconsideration letter is not the place to accuse everyone of bad faith unless you have clear proof. The goal is to make it easy for the evaluator to reverse or correct the denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal an SSS maternity benefit denial?

Yes. Start with a written request for reconsideration or correction with SSS. If SSS maintains the denial after written action and the required review process, the dispute may be elevated to the Social Security Commission through a verified petition.

How many SSS contributions do I need for maternity benefit?

You need at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. Contributions paid within or after the semester of contingency are not counted for entitlement and computation. (Social Security System)

What does “semester of contingency” mean in SSS maternity?

It means two consecutive quarters ending in the quarter when you gave birth, miscarried, or had an emergency termination of pregnancy. You exclude that semester, then count 12 months backward to find the qualifying contribution period. (Social Security System)

My employer deducted SSS contributions but did not remit them. Can my claim still be approved?

It depends on the evidence and SSS evaluation. Gather payslips, payroll records, certificate of employment, and proof of deduction. You may need both a maternity benefit reconsideration and an SSS contribution compliance review against the employer.

What if my maternity notification was not submitted by my employer?

Submit proof that you notified the employer of your pregnancy and expected delivery date. Useful documents include HR emails, maternity notification forms, ultrasound records, pregnancy test results, and employer certification. If the employer caused the failure, explain that clearly and attach proof.

Can I file an appeal online?

Some corrections and applications can be handled through My.SSS. For SSC cases, the SSC has guidelines allowing electronic filing by email to the Commission Clerk at cc@sss.gov.ph, but formal petition requirements must still be satisfied before docketing. (Social Security System)

Is there a deadline to file an SSS maternity benefit claim?

SSS states that maternity benefit claims may be filed within 10 years from the date of delivery, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. (Social Security System)

What if SSS approved my claim but I did not receive the money?

Check your DAEM account status. If crediting failed, update your disbursement account or enroll a new one, then request re-disbursement through the Benefit Re-disbursement Module in My.SSS. (Social Security System)

Can I go directly to court if SSS denies my maternity claim?

Usually, no. SSS benefit disputes must first go through SSS administrative action and, if unresolved, the Social Security Commission. Courts generally review SSC decisions only after administrative remedies are exhausted.

Is a denied employer reimbursement the same as a denied employee maternity benefit?

Not always. The employee may already have received the advance maternity benefit, while the employer’s reimbursement is denied because of documentation, proof of payment, or employer compliance issues. The appeal documents will differ depending on whether the claimant is the member or the employer.

Key Takeaways

  • A denied SSS maternity benefit can often be corrected or appealed if the denial is based on missing documents, wrong contribution counting, notification issues, or DAEM problems.
  • The most important eligibility rule is at least three qualifying contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of contingency.
  • Always recompute the semester of contingency before accepting a contribution-based denial.
  • For document denials, submit the exact civil registry, medical, employer, or foreign document SSS requires.
  • File a written request for reconsideration first, with organized proof.
  • If SSS maintains the denial, ask for written final action and the Benefits Review Committee or Flag Clearing Committee certification/resolution when applicable.
  • A formal SSC appeal requires a verified petition, certification against forum shopping, SSS written action, and supporting annexes.
  • Observe the 15-day periods after SSC decisions or resolutions.
  • Keep the issue clear: SSS benefit denial, employer reimbursement denial, salary differential dispute, and failed bank crediting are different problems with different remedies.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal advice and may involve AI assistance. Information may be inaccurate.