Applying for a GSIS pre-need claim can help plan holders and their beneficiaries access the benefits they deserve. Whether it’s for educational support, memorial claims, or other entitlements, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) provides a streamlined process to cater to its members. This guide explains who can apply, the requirements, and the step-by-step process for filing your claim.
Understanding the application process is important to avoid delays and make sure you comply with GSIS requirements. This article provides detailed instructions for pre-need claims, from filing procedures to document submission, ensuring smooth processing for planholders and beneficiaries.
Program Overview
The GSIS Pre-Need Claims program provides financial assistance to plan holders who have fully paid and matured plans under the GSIS. Originally designed to support educational and memorial needs, the program offers benefits such as the College Education Benefit (CEB) and Memorial Plan payouts. Guided by policies to streamline claim processing, this initiative underscores GSIS’s role in offering secure financial solutions for its members and their dependents.
Established to address the growing demand for accessible pre-need financial benefits, the program operates under strict eligibility guidelines, including full payment of plans and timely claim submissions. Its coverage extends to Edu-Child planholders, CEAP participants, and Memorial Plan holders with varying claim types such as tuition reimbursements, death claims, and retirement benefits. Through these services, GSIS continues to fulfill its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of public servants and their families.
Benefits
Filing GSIS Pre-Need Claims ensures financial support for planholders and their beneficiaries through the following benefits:
- Educational Assistance: Tuition fee reimbursement and other standard school expenses under the Edu-Child and CEAP plans.
- Unused Benefits Recovery: Claim unused college units or receive retirement benefits ten years after graduation.
- Memorial Plan Options: Access to the Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism (EOEM) or death claims for the planholder’s family.
- Investment Recovery Program: Recover contributions through the IRPEP for Edu-Child Planholders affected by the K to 12 program.
- Flexible Filing Methods: Submit claims through in-person, email, or postal mail processes for convenience.
Target Beneficiaries
The program was designed for the following beneficiary groups:
- Edu-Child Planholders: Fully paid members availing educational benefits for their designated scholars.
- CEAP Planholders: Members with fully paid and matured College Education Assurance Plans.
- Memorial Planholders: Individuals with fully paid accounts opting for Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism (EOEM) or filing death claims.
- Replacement Scholars: Beneficiaries designated under the Investment Recovery Program for Edu-Child plans.
- Legal Heirs and Surviving Family Members: Dependents claiming benefits upon the plan holder’s death.
Eligibility for Pre-need Claims
Eligibility for this GSIS claim type depends on the type of plan and the applicant’s status. Listed below are the specific qualifications for each type:
- Edu-Child Plans
- Availment of College Education Benefit (CEB): For scholars of fully paid and matured plans.
- Unavailed College Education Benefit: Applicable when the educational benefit was not utilized.
- Unused Units/Retirement Benefit: Claimable 10 years after the scholar’s graduation.
- College Education Assurance Plan (CEAP): For fully paid and matured policies, the planholder or designated scholar is eligible.
- Memorial Plans
- Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism (EOEM): For plan holders who prefer to receive cash benefits.
- Death Claim: For beneficiaries of a deceased planholder.
Requirements
Each type of claim has specific documentary requirements. Check the list of necessary documents for each plan:
Edu-Child Plans
- College Education Benefit (CEB) – Initial Availment
- Duly accomplished application form: Downloadable at GSIS website.
- Course curriculum from the scholar’s school.
- Certificate of full payment, if issued to the planholder.
- Official receipt for tuition and school fees.
- Registration form with assessment or schedule of fees.
- College Education Benefit (CEB) – Succeeding Availments
- Same requirements as initial availment, excluding the course curriculum.
- Unavailed College Education Benefit
- Duly accomplished application form.
- Certificate of full payment, if issued to the planholder.
- Unused Units/Retirement Benefit (10 years after graduation)
- Application form and transcript of records from the scholar’s school.
Additional Requirements (if the plan holder is deceased):
- For a surviving spouse:
- Death certificate of the planholder (issued by PSA or LCR).
- Marriage contract (issued by PSA or LCR).
- Two valid IDs of the surviving spouse.
- For a scholar (if the spouse is deceased):
- Death certificates of the planholder and spouse.
- Scholar’s birth certificate (PSA or LCR).
- Two valid IDs of the scholar.
Memorial Plans
- Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism (EOEM)
- Application form for pre-need plans.
- Certificate of full payment, if issued.
- Release and Quitclaim form (downloadable at the GSIS website).
- Death Claim
- Application form.
- Death certificate of the planholder.
- Affidavit of surviving legal heirs or spouse.
- Certificate of full payment, if issued.
Investment Recovery Plan for Edu-Child Planholders (IRPEP)
This program is available for one year after implementation. Requirements include:
- Member’s Request Form (MRF) indicating intent to avail IRPEP.
- Signed and notarized GSIS Edu-Plan Release, Waiver, and Quitclaim Form.
How to File a GSIS Pre-Need Claim
GSIS offers multiple filing methods: in-person, via email, and through postal mail or courier. Here’s how to do it:
1. Filing In-Person
Step 1. Visit the nearest GSIS office or branch.
Step 2. Proceed to the information center or Public Assistance and Complaints Desk (PACD) to get a queue number.
Step 3. Submit your complete documents to the assigned counter, sign the tentative computation, and secure an acknowledgment receipt.
Processing Time: 1 working day.
2. Filing via Email
Step 1. Submit scanned copies of your documents to the GSIS handling office via email. Include a clear photo of yourself holding your application form and valid ID (e.g., UMID, eCard, passport, or other government-issued IDs).
Step 2. Ensure the email subject follows this format: GSIS(Type of Claim)_(BP No.)_(Last Name)_(First Name)_(Agency Name).
Step 3. Await acknowledgment of receipt and notification if your documents are complete or have deficiencies.
Processing Time: 3 working days.
3. Filing via Postal Mail or Courier
Step 1. Place all required documents inside a sealed brown envelope.
Step 2. Send them to the GSIS handling office through postal mail or courier.
Step 3. GSIS will log your application and notify you about the status via email or SMS.
Processing Time: 3 working days.
Claim Processing Timeline
The processing timeline depends on the type of claim that you filed. Here’s how it works:
- Document Validation and Transaction Monitoring System (TMS) Logging: 1 working day.
- Reconciliation and Account Updating: 4–8 working days.
- Approval and Voucher Preparation: 2–4 working days.
- Final Posting and Payment Release: 1 working day for UMID/eCard accounts or up to 20 working days for check payments.
Note: For IRPEP claims, additional steps include benefit computation and endorsement preparation, extending the timeline to 20 working days.
Where to Get the Application Form
The application form for filing GSIS Pre-Need Claims can be obtained from any GSIS Members’ Assistance Counter. It is also available for download on the official GSIS website at www.gsis.gov.ph under the Quick Link – Downloadable Forms section. Make sure to use the updated form and fill it out completely for the smooth processing of your claim.
Tips for Faster Processing
For claimants, here are some tips to help speed up the processing of your pre-need claims:
- Double-check all documents for completeness and accuracy before submission.
- For emailed applications, ensure scanned copies are clear and meet the file size limit (4MB).
- Follow up on your application status using the Transaction Monitoring System (TMS) reference number.
Video: Filing Claims via GSIS Touch
Filing your GSIS claims doesn’t have to be complicated. With this video guide from GSIS Official, you can learn how to use the GSIS Touch to file your claims and complete the process more efficiently than ever.
Summary
GSIS pre-need claims provide financial assistance for educational and memorial needs. Planholders and beneficiaries can file their applications in person, through email, or via postal mail. Each type of plan has specific requirements, but the process essentially remains the same, so understanding them well can be really helpful if you intend to file a claim and access your GSIS benefits today.