Examples of SSS Maternity Qualifying Periods 2025-2026
Use this guide to match your expected delivery date or contingency month with the correct SSS semester of contingency and qualifying period for 2025 and 2026.
Quick answer
Your SSS qualifying period depends on your EDD or contingency month. Exclude the semester of contingency, then count 12 months backward. You need at least 3 posted contributions in that 12-month period.
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Quick answer
For SSS maternity benefits, your expected delivery date, miscarriage date, or ETP date determines your semester of contingency. That semester is excluded. Then SSS looks at the 12 months before that semester to check if you have at least 3 posted monthly contributions.
For example, if your EDD is in July 2026, your semester of contingency is April 2026 to September 2026. Your qualifying period is April 2025 to March 2026.
Want the fastest answer for your own EDD?
Use the qualifying period calculator if you do not want to manually read the full table.
SSS maternity qualifying period examples for 2025 and 2026
Use your EDD or contingency month to find the correct row. Months in the same quarter have the same semester of contingency and the same qualifying period.
| EDD or contingency month | Semester of contingency | Qualifying period | Simple meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-Mar 2025 | Oct 2024-Mar 2025 | Oct 2023-Sep 2024 | At least 3 posted contributions from Oct 2023 to Sep 2024 |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | Jan 2025-Jun 2025 | Jan 2024-Dec 2024 | At least 3 posted contributions from Jan to Dec 2024 |
| Jul-Sep 2025 | Apr 2025-Sep 2025 | Apr 2024-Mar 2025 | At least 3 posted contributions from Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 |
| Oct-Dec 2025 | Jul 2025-Dec 2025 | Jul 2024-Jun 2025 | At least 3 posted contributions from Jul 2024 to Jun 2025 |
| Jan-Mar 2026 | Oct 2025-Mar 2026 | Oct 2024-Sep 2025 | At least 3 posted contributions from Oct 2024 to Sep 2025 |
| Apr-Jun 2026 | Jan 2026-Jun 2026 | Jan 2025-Dec 2025 | At least 3 posted contributions from Jan to Dec 2025 |
| Jul-Sep 2026 | Apr 2026-Sep 2026 | Apr 2025-Mar 2026 | At least 3 posted contributions from Apr 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Oct-Dec 2026 | Jul 2026-Dec 2026 | Jul 2025-Jun 2026 | At least 3 posted contributions from Jul 2025 to Jun 2026 |
How to read the examples
The easiest way is to start with your EDD month. Once you know the EDD month, identify the quarter. Then the semester of contingency is the two consecutive quarters ending in that EDD quarter.
Step 1
Find your EDD or contingency month.
Step 2
Exclude the semester of contingency.
Step 3
Count the 12 months before that semester.
Which months count and which months do not count?
Only contributions inside the 12-month qualifying period count for eligibility and benefit computation. Contributions within or after the semester of contingency do not count for the computation of that claim.
Months that count
- Months inside the qualifying period
- Posted contributions within that 12-month window
- The highest 6 MSCs inside that window for amount computation
Months that do not count
- Months inside the semester of contingency
- Contributions paid after the semester starts for that claim
- Payments posted outside the qualifying window
Late payment warning
This is where many voluntary, self-employed, OFW, and non-working spouse members get confused. A contribution might be paid later, but that does not automatically mean it will count for the maternity claim if it falls within or after the semester of contingency.
If your EDD is already inside the semester of contingency, paying contributions for months inside that same semester may help your future SSS record, but it may not help the current maternity benefit computation.
Employee vs voluntary, self-employed, OFW, and non-working spouse
The qualifying period logic is the same, but the practical risk is different by member type.
Employee
Check if employer contributions are posted correctly inside the qualifying period. Do not only rely on payroll deduction from your payslip.
Voluntary / Self-employed / OFW / NWS
Check payment deadlines carefully. Late or wrong-period payments are a common reason a member expects to qualify but does not.
What to do next
After finding your qualifying period, check whether you have at least 3 posted monthly contributions inside that period. Then estimate your benefit amount using the main calculator.
Need backup funds while planning for childbirth expenses?
Your SSS maternity benefit can help, but hospital, baby, and recovery costs can still be bigger than expected. Use credit responsibly if you need a backup option.