GS1Ssorpnetsensree sre POLICY AND PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES NO. 519-18 FUNCTIONAL AREA: Claims DISTRIBUTION Operations Groups: All Senior Vico Presidents All Vice Presidents ‘All Managers, Actuarial and Risk Management Group Controller Group, Corporate Services Group Legal Services Group Information Technology Services Group Internal Avant Services Office Corporate Communications Oice SUBJECT MATTER: REVISED GUIDELINES ON FUNERAL BENEFIT cee eee |. Background Rational Funeral benefit is granted by the GSIS to extend immediate fnancial assistance to the family of a deceased member or pensioner. The benett fs intonded to help \dotray the expenses incidental o the funeral ofthe deceased member, pensioner ‘oF retiee under Republic Act (RA) 660, FA 1616, Presidential Decree (PD) 1146, land RA 8291 From the orginal Php1,000.00 approved under PD 1146 on 31 May 1977, the ‘amount ofthe funeral benefit was increased over the years, On 27 August 2015, ‘Board Resolution No. 133 was approved increasing the amount to Php0,000.00. Existing Policy and Procedural Guidelines (PPG) No, 267-14 (Funeral Benefits) ‘did not provide for specie required documents for a Funeral Genet claim i the ‘deceased member or pensioner is a Muslim or a member of Indigenous Peoples. (Ps) whereby the claimant is other than the spouse, or where there are mutiple wives. Offen times, the claimant cannot produce an official receipt of funeral ‘expenses, a basic documentary requirement, since they did not incur any funeral ‘expense. itis required among Musimns to bury the daceased as soon as possibie after tho timo of death Republic Act (RA) 6371, otherwise known as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), mandates the ‘State to respect, recognize and protect the right of Indigenous Cutural Communities/ndigenous Peoples (ICCa/Ps) to preserve and protect their cuture, traditions, and institutions’. Meanwhile, Presidential Decree (0) No. 1083, otherwse known as the Code of Musi Personal Laws of the Philippines, provides that the State shall consider the customs, trations, beliets "Secon 29, Chapter Vi of RA aT! &‘and interests of national cultural communities in the formulation and implementation of stale policies’. Thus, existing rules should be taken into Consideration in defining the documentary requirements for the claim of funeral, survivorship, and death benefits of these members. Pursuant to R.A. No, 8371, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) field personnal are ‘deputized as Registration Agents in ther area of influence and duty bound to faciitate the registration of all acts and events Concerning the civil status of ICCs/IPs’. On the other hand, P.D. No, 1083 provides that the Clerk of Court of the Sharia Circuit Court shall act as Circut Registrar of Muslim marriages, divorces, revocation of divorces, and conversions Within his jurisdiction‘. The books making up the regisiry shall be considered public documents and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts contained therein’, i. Objectives This PPG aims to ‘A. Provide clear-cut policies in the grant of funeral benefit to qualified individuals or beneficiaries of covered members; B. Ensure uniform guidelines for the implementation of the grant of funeral benefits; and . Define the documentary requirements inthe fling of claims for funeral benefits of IPs and Muslims, recognizing their unique customs and traditions. I, Poticies ‘A. Contingency for the Payment of Funeral Benefit ‘The funeral benefit shall be pald upon the death ot 1. Amember who: a. died while inactive service; oF ». athough separated from government service, 1s entitled 10 future Separation or retement Bonels under Section 11 (‘Separation Benefits) or 13 (‘Reticoment Benefits’) of RA 8291, respectively, Subject tothe provisions of Section Il. D ofthis PPG; . ‘tired under RA 1616 prior to 24 June 1997 with at least 20 years of service, regardless of age; or file 2 Ti of PO 1088, ie 12 ot Amante Order No. 9 Series of 2004 4 rela 84, Chapter Tie VI of PD 1083 * tele 66, Chapter |, Tite VI at PD 1083 Page 209 {)4. retired under RA 1616 on or after 24 June 1997, with at least 20 year Of service, and is at least 60 years of age at the time of his/her retirement. 2. An old-age or disabilty pensioner. B. Order of Priority in the Payment of Benefit ‘The funeral benefit shall be payable to any qualified individual, in accordance with the following order of print: 1. Surviving legitimate spouse; 2. Any ofthe following persons who can present receipts, provided that the ‘surviving spouse has acknowledged that this person shouldered the tuneral expenses: ‘a. Children of the deceased member or pensioner; oF b. Any other person who can show incontrovertible proof that he or she ‘shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased. 3, If there is no surviving spouse (e.g. single, widowier), any of the persons ‘enumerated under the preceding paragraph, provided that claimant presents receipt/s to show proof of payment of the deceased member's funeral expenses. In case the deceased member, during hisiher lifetime, contracted marriage to different persons, and the spouses filed soparate claims for the payment of the funeral benefit, the said benefit shall be payable to the surviving spouse with the earlier date of marriage based on the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued Marriage Contract. Processing of Funeral Benefit claim when deceased member is a Muslim or an Indigenous People (IP) should be subject to the governing laws on IPs (e.g. RANo. 8371 or Indigenous Peoples Fights Act PRA] and Muslims (e.9, PD 1083 or Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines) for purposes of fixing the property relations of the spouses and by the policies under Section HLF of this PPG. . Amount of Funeral Benefit ‘The amount of funeral benefit shall be the prevailing amount approved by the Board of Trustees at the time of death of the member, pensioner or retiree. t is fixed and shall be the amount to be paid by the GSIS regardless of the actual costs of funeral and burial expenses presented by the claimant. Effectve 01 September 2015, the amount of funeral benefit shall be Phip30,000.00; except for uniformed members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BUMP), and Bureau Of Fire Protection (BFP) where funeral benefit is fixed at Php1 0,000.00. Page soaD. Prescriptive Period ‘The funeral benefit shall prescribe when the claim is not filed within four (4) years from the date of contingency. However, the rule on constructive fling lnder Section IIH of this PPG shail apply in case there is also a filed claim for survivorship benefit. E. Documentary Requirements 1. Documentary Requirements ‘The following are the basic documentary requirements to support the claim {or funeral benefit: ‘a. Claimant s the Surviving Spouse: 1. Duly accomplished Applicaton Form for Funeral Benefit: 2. Death Cortticate of member issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) or Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); or authenticated by the Philippine Consular Office, if died abroad; 3. Marriage Contract of member with the suriving spouse issued by LOR or PSA 4. Birth Cerificate issued by LCR or PSA or valid passport or two (2) valid government-issued IDs with date of birth and signature, surviving spouse is not a GSIS member, and 5. It the deceased member is an IP or Musi and the claimant. ‘spouse IS not the sole wife, A Swom Statement recognizing the ‘existence and the right ofthe other spouses tothe Funoral Benefit. ». Claimant is Other than the Surviving Spouse: 1, Duly accomplished Application Form for Funeral Benefit; 2. Death Certticate of member issued by LOR or PSA; or ‘authenticated by Philippine Consular Office, i died abroad 3. Birth Certificate issued by PSA or two (2) valid governmentissued IDs with date of bith and signature, it claimant is not a GSIS member, 4. Death Certicate of egal spouse issued by LCR or PSA, i married: 5. Notarzed waiver in favor of the claimant with two (2) vali {government.issued IDs of the legal spouse with signature, if legal Spouse is ving: 6. Affidavit of the’ claimant stating that despite earnest efforts, the legal spouso cannot be located to sign a notarized walver in favor of the Claimant attested by two (2) disinterested persons and their two (2} valid government.issued IDs, if the legal spouse cannot be located; and 7. Official receipt of funeral expenses issued in the name of the claimant. © Office Order No. 396-17, Revised Documertary Requirements for Socal Insurance Benetts and ‘ther Plates Cams and Transactons, 26 ADI 2017 Pages ot2. Alternative Documentary Requirements for IPs 11 the claimant fais to submit the basic documentary requirements by reason of the deceased being an IP member, the following alternative ‘documents shall be submited 1. Certificate of Confirmation (COC) issued by the NCIP that the deceased member isan IP; 2. In the absence of a Death Certificate of IP issued by the LCR or PSA, a f 3. In the absence of a Mariage Contract between the deceased IP member and the surviving spouse's Issued by the LCR or PSA Cention’ of Marriages ofthe P member, atested by the NCIP; 4. Inthe absence ofa Birth Certificate issued by the LCR or PSA or valid ‘passport or two (2) valid government.ssued IDS with date of bith and Signature, COG issued by the NCIP, surviving spouse or claimant is nota GSIS member 5. If the claimant is not the surviving spouse's, a Centiicate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) of the deceased IP member from the PSA or NCIP; and 3. Alternative Documentary Requirements for Muslims, It the claimant fails to submit the basic documentary requirements. by reason of the deceased being a Muslim, the following alternative {documents shall be submited: 1. tn the absence of a Death Certificate issued by the LCR ot PSA, a the imam; If the claimant is not the surviving spousels, a Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) of the deceased Musim member trom ‘the PSA or imam, Pagesct bee]F. Claim for Funeral Benefits When Deceased Mustim or IP Member has Multiple Wives: In case a deceased Mustim and IP member has mutiple wives as allowed by law, the benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse who Is able to comply ‘wath al the requirements as enumerated under Section IlLE of this PPG. In case all spouses are abie to comply with the requirements, all of the ‘spouses shall be ented to an equal share of the said beneft uniess one of the spouses is able to secure a notarized waiver from the others, in which ‘case she wil be able to claim the whole amount of the funeral benef However, if one of the spouses fled the funeral benefit claim ahead of the ‘other spouses, she vil be entiled to the full amount of the benefit without [Prejudice to the right of the other spouses to recover their shares from the ‘Spouse who received the funeral benef To iustrate: Member W died and survived by three (3) lgal spouses, X, ¥ and 2. “The amount of Funeral Benefit atthe time of death 's Phip30,000.00. IX, ¥ and 2 fled and complied with all the requirements for tunaral benefit, X, Y and Z will receive Phpt0,000.00 each. However, if X fled ahead of Y and’ Z, X shall receive the full amount of Php30,000.00. G. Multiple Claimants for Funeral Benefit In the event that the payment of funeral expenses was made by two (2) of more persons who shared the said expenses, the beneft shall bo paid to the laimant who will frst fie the claim and is able to comply with the requirements as enumerated under Section ILE ofthis PPG. H. Claim for Survivorship or Death Benefit Funeral Bonefit Claim Constructive Notice for ‘The claim for funeral benefit shall be considered @ constructive notice for the ‘survivorship benefit claim. In this regard, the claimant shall be properly advised by GSIS that the survivorship benefit shall be processed and paid 10 the qualified beneficiaries or legal hes, as the case may be, upon the ‘submission of the PSA or certfied true copy of the LOR issued Death Certificate and other documentary requirement for the claim of survivorship benefits, Inthe same manner, the fling of survivorship or death benefit claim shall be ‘considered a constructive notice forthe funeral benefit claim, and the clamant ‘hall be property advised by GSIS that the funeral benefit shall be processed {upon the submission of the documentary requirements enumerated under Section ILE ofthis PPG. Page sot {wel|. Payment of Funeral Benetit “The funeral beneft shall be paid through eCredting for claimant with activated ‘eCards or UMID cards OR through check for claimant without eCards or LUMID cards (e.g, inactive member, claimant who is not a GSIS member). ‘The claimant shail be informed of the payment of funeral benefit through letter or GSIS text message facility (GSIS 4747), a proof of notiication shall, ‘be attached oF reflected tothe TMS for rterance. ‘The proceeds of the funeral benefit shal be subject tothe existing policies on recovery af pension overpayment and outstanding receivables. ‘J. Reckoning Date in the Computation of Pension Overpayment to be Deducted from Funeral Benefit or any other benefits No proportionate pension shall be deducted from the funeral beneft or any ‘other benefits. Computation of pension overpayment shal start on the month following the date of death appearing in the Cerificate of Death issued by the LCR’ or PSA or Corticate of Death attested by the NCIP or imam who administered the funeral rites To usta: (Case 1: Pensioner without pension credited after death Date of Death ‘August 10, 2017 ‘Basic Monthly Pension 10,000.00) Last Pension Credited ‘August 2017 Case 2: Old Age Pensioner only wth pension credited month atter death Date of Death ‘August 10, 2017 Basic Monthly Pension 10,000.00, Last Pension Creatted September 2017 [computation of Funes ‘AmountofFuneralenctt _——__ 90,000.00 | Less: Pension Overpayment (Sopiember 2017) 10,000.00 | Net Proceeds — 20,000.00 | Page rot‘Caso 3: Old Age and Survivorship Pensioner wth pension credited month after death Date of Death ‘August 10, 2017 (id Age Basic Monthly Pension 10,000.00 ‘Survivorship Monthly Pension 7,000.00 Last Pension Credited for O18 ‘September 2017 ‘Age and Sunivorship Pension ‘Computation of Funeral Benefit 17,000.00 [ Less: Pension Overpayment (September 2017 Old Age | ‘and Survivorship Pension) Net Proceeds 3000.00 If at the time of death, the member or pensioner is receiving survivorship pension, any excess survivorship pension received shall be deducted trom the funeral benefit or any other benefis in accordance with the existing policies ‘on recovery of pension overpaymant and outstanding receivables. K. Benefits for Work-Related Contingencies. Beneficiaries of a member who died due to a work-related contingency while in active service shall be entitled to recelve both EC and GSIS funeral benefits. . Data and Systom Requirements ‘The Operations Groups shall prepare the necessary consolidated user teqarements (CUR) and undertake usr acceptance tesirg (UAT) to mplement this ‘The Information Technology Services Group ((TSG) shall ensure that the necessary program for system adjustments and reportorial requirements are made to conform to this PPC, The Internal Audit Services Office (IASO) and Information Security Office (ISO) shall review the CUR and ensure that all Internal controls are In place in the system. /. Procedural Guidelines ‘The detailed procedures to be included in the Manual of Operations of the OUCS. shall adhere fo the fllowing general guidelin Page votoee a RESPONSIBILITY — = co | BOEO 1 [Receive application for funeral” claim and | check completeness of documents, | 1.1. If complete, log claim application in the ‘Transaction Monitoring System (TMS) Frontine Services and forward to Claims Unit for Division (FSD) | processing | 1.2 incomplete, return the claim application to the claimant citing deficiencies. Revert a to Activiy 1. * - 2 [Process claim up to disbursement of Glaims Unit proceeds. (Close TMS) FS Cais Ut] End of Process VI. Information Dissemination ‘The Corporate Communications Office shall prepare information materials for the dissemination of this PPG. ViLRepeating Clause {Policy and Procedural Guidelines inconsistent |, modified or repealed accordingly. All Ofico Orders, Circulay herewith are hereby super VilLEtfectivity Clause This PPG dhall ta after fteen (15) days from the date ofits publication in a newspappr of gghera circulation. marv ORIGINAL SIGNED ATTY. J INT ARANAS President arfi General Manager Date Signed: _/16 APR 2018 Pace 90 rya PASEGURLHLAN NG MGA NAGLILINGKOD SA PAMAIALAAN {Governuent senuce ncusance Systen) teeta tas Pye sis a [APPLICATION FOR FUNERAL BENEFIT ee ee ee gS ae ae Seem ot ane 65 mn oom et of nt rtp nt hee eg meat rng stein, So a =— ie eines Eee [Eee mnmnee | “ea eee Srsiri aRTTRTST ee [een pam = ai ————: pre REPUOLIC OF TWe PHILIPPINES) CrvimicreAuity OF Ns. |AFFIOAVIT OF CLAINANT-SPOUSE (ot Mustmor momboref GO wthmare han ane spouse) [Prease crack the appropriate. box it mae egemonity/ten (1c). inateate Eth Ae¥s Vatu) = lets arte rsation) 2 Ton tot ents Appt ention [iinet other Srv sie 4 1 peray raconize ne rohts of the ether spoue/s ovr the Fungal Eee Bonerit ond hold myoel? accountabie in the partition of such Funeral ggsige O8i8,"by Virxee of ay ‘apattcation for and recetot. oF the Funerat ©. 1am nating this affidavit to attest to the veracity of 43 the foregoing and or" any Vogel purpose sms may Serve IN WITMS WEREOF. I nave ermunto sign my name this ay ot ~ (winked Rane wad Sigrature) — {ally uncaretood tne contents thereat.” nent os. We, - etary Pubite fe)