Social Security System

SSS 08:33 AM, Mar 04, 2022

March 4, 2022

Dear keinth coronel,

I refer to my letter of Jan 26, 2022 11:25:32 AM; about your request under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for UMID query.

Our response to your request is due on Feb 16, 2022 11:25:32 AM. Unfortunately, it is taking longer than expected to deal with your request as we are still coordinating your queries to the concerned department.

We apologize for this delay but have applied for an extension so we could work further on your request. We hope to be able to send you a response on or before Mar 16, 2022 11:25:32 AM.

Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://efoi-ph.appspot.com/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHQsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEFNTUy03OTk1MzE5Mzg3NDgM, for request with ticket number #SSS-799531938748.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

FOI Receiving Officer, SSS
FOI Officer

SSS 10:59 AM, Mar 25, 2022

March 25, 2022

Dear keinth coronel,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated Jan 26, 2022 11:25:32 AM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your Request

You asked for UMID query.

Response to Request

Your FOI request is approved. Please below responses to the questions you have raised:

1.What is the difference between the UMID being issued by the GSIS (Government Security Insurance System) and the SSS?
- The same, except GSIS accepts applications and issues UMID cards to public sector workers, SSS to private sector workers, and PhilHealth to those not covered by GSIS and SSS (i.e. informal sector).

2. Can a member of SSS get UMID from SSS despite having a UMID in GSIS? If no, why?
- The EO 420 aims to streamline government issued cards, hence, only one Common Reference Number and UMID card shall be issued to an individual.

3. Is there a backlog in the production of UMID in your office?
- Yes. Around 370,000 for applicants in the 1st quarter of 2020 and around 271,000 (as of 4 Mar 2022) for applicants since 27 Sep 2021.

4. How many weeks or months should a member expect before his or her UMID is created after his or her application?
- Under normal situation, it should be 3 weeks to 1 month.

If the answer to the third question is yes,

1. What are the reasons behind the backlog in production of UMID?
- The two reasons based on the period of UMID applications, are as follows:

a. Applicants from Jan. 2020 to Mar. 2020:
- Caused by the downtime of the Central Verification System (CVS) from mid Jan 2020 to 27 Dec. 2020, as well as the CVS downtime from Aug. to Oct. 2019. When the CVS resumed operation on 28 Dec. 2020, it was only able to process mostly late 2019 applications, and 2020 applications were still being processed by the CVS.

b. Applicants from 27 Sep. 2021 (when SSS resumed receipt of UMID applications):
- Caused by the CVS stoppage since 6 Sep 2021. To date, the Phil. Statistics Authority (SSS turned over the administration of the CVS to PSA in July 2015). SSS and GSIS are still awaiting official response on the CVS repair issue.

2. When will the production of UMID return to normalcy?
- This will depend on the following type of cards, as follows:

a. Generic Cards:
- We estimate to have card production service in mid Dec. 2022, which is about 90 days after issuance of NTP for the current bidding. Processing will be first-in first-out, and normalcy (i.e. when the backlog will be eliminated) will depend on the number of UMID applicants who will apply for generic UMID cards from now until Dec. 2022.

b. UMID Pay Cards:
- Applicants who will opt for UMID Pay Cards (by mid this year, depending on when the MOA will be finalized), delivery of cards will be one month from clearance/approval of the application by the participating financial institutions (PFI). We cannot reckon from date of online UMID application because the applicant is given 3 months to visit the SSS branch for biometric capture. Also, if the PFI will charge the cost of the card, it will depend on when the payment is made by the applicant.

We hope we gave you clarifications on your queries. Thank you and stay safe.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Thank you.

Respectfully,

FOI Receiving Officer, SSS
FOI Receiving Officer