Government

SSS to Ineligible Subsidy Receivers: Return the Money Please or You Could Face Charges.

The SSS has asked employers who have received their Wage Subsidies through the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program to return subsidies received for ineligible employees. They request voluntary return of subsidies via Land Bank deposits, otherwise a post-audit assessment may trigger a demand letter that may lead toward criminal charges being filed.

The Philippine Social Security System or SSS in its SBWS Program Task Force Resolution No. 2, calls for the return of the Small Business Wage Subdsidy (SBWS) released to ineligible employees.

There are three criteria on those small businesses required to return the SBWS. These are:

  1. Employers who failed to maintain the employment status of their employee-beneficiaries within the original SBWS period of March 18 to May 31, 2020.
  2. Employee-beneficiaries who resigned during the period during ECQ, MECQ, or GCQ where their employer is located.
  3. Employers who misrepresented the information of the employee-beneficiaries in the application.

Voluntarily Return the Money, Please

The SSS requests that those who meet the above criteria return the amounts voluntarily on or before June 15, 2020 by depositing to their Land Bank account. Then submit proof of payment to their SBWSreturns@sss.gov.ph email with pertinent information.

Or Receive a Demand Letter

If you so choose not to return the amounts voluntarily, the SSS will give you a demand letter that you return the said subsidy within 15 calendar days from receipt of such letter.

The Commission on Audit (COA) shall conduct a post-audit of the SBWS Program and will see if any fraud has been committed. Such findings will trigger the sending of demand letter.

Let us know how you feel about this development. Choose your reaction below 🙂

1 comment

  1. What if demand letter from COA not serve to Employer within deadline of returned? For example, up until now January 2, 2021 still not received ang demand letter from COA? What will happen?

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