SSS toll-free calls now available for OFW members

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 26 – The Social Security System (SSS) has launched its 1-800 Toll-Free International Call Services in key destinations worldwide to further bolster its campaign to provide social protection within reach for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The toll-free numbers are 001-8000-CALL-SSS for Hong Kong and Singapore; 00-8000-CALL-SSS for Malaysia and Taiwan, Italy and United Kingdom; 801-4275 for Brunei; 00800-100-260 for Qatar; 800-0630-0038 for United Arab Emirates; 800-863-0022 for Saudi Arabia; and 8000-6094 for Bahrain.

Judy Frances A. See, SSS Senior Vice President for International Operations, said the new toll-free services add to the existing SSS channels created for OFWs such as dedicated hotline numbers, e-mail support and special desk assistance, as provided by the OFW Contact Services Unit (CSU).

 “For easier recall, several of these new toll-free numbers end in 2255-777, which represent ‘CALL SSS.’ Our toll-free numbers will be open to calls from OFWs from 6 a.m. on Mondays all the way to 6 a.m. on Saturdays in Philippine time, starting November 16, 2015,” See said.

The SSS established the OFW-CSU last year to facilitate communications with members, focusing particularly on the OFW sector who have needs and concerns distinct from those of SSS members based in the Philippines. With its new toll-free services, the SSS is extending operating hours of the OFW-CSU from 16/5 to 24/5.

“Our toll-free call services, CSU hotline numbers and designated e-mail address enable OFW members to conveniently relay their queries and requests to the SSS, and in return, we can respond faster to them,” See said.

Aside from the new toll-free numbers, overseas members can direct their SSS concerns to the OFW-CSU anytime thru e-mail at ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph and also via hotline numbers +632 364-7796 and +632 364-7798 and its special desk assistance services at the SSS Main Office in Quezon City from Mondays to Fridays.

Common OFW transactions received by the CSU include reactivation of SSS membership, verification of contribution and loan records, queries on procedures on applying for SS (social security) Number, location of SSS foreign representative offices, accredited overseas payment channels and status of various applications, See noted.

“To help facilitate quicker responses to SSS queries, especially for OFWs seeking updates about their contributions, loans and benefits, we advise them to indicate their SS Number and include scanned copies of their IDs or passports in their e-mail to the OFW-CSU, or already have them on-hand when they call us,” she said.

SSS toll-free numbers are posted at the SSS Website (www.sss.gov.ph) and the official SSS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SSSPh). OFWs are urged to register at the My.SSS facility of the SSS Website so that they will also have an option to check their SSS records over the Internet. (SSS)