How to Get SSS ID Card: Requirements and Application Guide
If you are searching for how to get an SSS ID card in the Philippines, the process is different from the older guides you may find online.
SSS no longer issues the old generic Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card to new applicants. The current SSS-issued functional ID is the MySSS Card, which replaced the traditional UMID and also works as a debit card linked to an account with an SSS partner bank.
Quick answer: To get a new SSS ID, you generally need to log in to your My.SSS Member Portal, select MySSS Card under Services, verify your identity through the National ID system, select an available partner bank, complete the bank’s account-verification process, pay any applicable card fee, and wait for the bank to release the physical card.
You normally do not need to visit an SSS branch for biometric capture because SSS uses your National ID information and photo for identity verification.
Once your SSS membership and contributions are active, you can use our SSS Pension Calculator to estimate your possible monthly pension based on your contribution record and salary credits.SSS ID, UMID or MySSS Card: Which One Do You Get Now?
This is the most important thing to understand before applying.
| Card | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Old SSS ID | Older SSS-issued cards already in circulation remain valid |
| UMID Card | Previously issued UMID cards remain valid, but generic UMID issuance has been discontinued |
| UMID Pay Card | Existing cards can remain usable subject to applicable bank/card conditions |
| MySSS Card | Current SSS functional ID for new applications |
| National ID | Philippines’ primary government identification system and used for MySSS Card identity verification |
SSS describes the MySSS Card as its new official functional ID, equipped with an EMV chip and issued through partner banks. It effectively replaces the old UMID issuance system.
So if you tell an SSS employee or search engine that you want a “new SSS ID” or “new UMID,” the card you should now be looking for is the MySSS Card.
What Is the MySSS Card?
The MySSS Card is an SSS functional identification card combined with banking features. It serves two main purposes. First, it can identify you for SSS transactions.
Second, it is linked to an account with an SSS partner financial institution and can become the account through which you receive applicable SSS benefits, loan proceeds, pensions, refunds and other disbursements.
This is a major difference from the old ordinary SSS ID. Once the MySSS Card account is established, SSS says it automatically becomes the applicant’s primary/default SSS disbursement account, removing the need to separately enroll that account through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM).
SSS ID Card Requirements
Before trying to apply, check whether your SSS and National ID records are ready. The general eligibility requirements published by SSS are:
| Requirement | What You Need |
|---|---|
| SS number | Must be tagged Permanent in SSS records |
| My.SSS | You need a registered My.SSS Member Portal account |
| Address | Your current local mailing/home address should be recorded with SSS |
| Mobile number | Must be updated in your SSS record |
| Must be updated in SSS | |
| National ID | You must be registered with the National ID System |
| Personal details | Your SSS and National ID information should match |
| Partner bank | You must complete the selected bank’s account requirements |
SSS also specifically advises applicants to make sure their name and date of birth match between their SSS records and National ID records. If they do not match, update the incorrect record with the appropriate agency before applying.
Do You Need an Existing National ID Card?
The important requirement is registration with the National ID System because SSS uses National ID eVerify for identity authentication.
Your National ID information is particularly important because the MySSS Card process uses National ID verification and your National ID photograph rather than requiring a new SSS branch photo session.
Do You Need SSS Contributions Before Applying for an ID?
This is another point where online guides sometimes create unnecessary confusion.
The general eligibility requirements published by SSS for the MySSS Card require a permanent SS number, My.SSS registration, updated contact/address details and National ID registration.
The general SSS requirements do not state a minimum number of posted contributions as a universal requirement for the MySSS Card. SSS Circular 2025-008 also includes members, prior registrants, pensioners, individual claimants and representative payees among eligible applicant categories, subject to the published requirements.
However, the partner financial institution may have additional account-opening or identity-verification requirements.
Always follow the requirements displayed by the bank you select during your actual application.
How to Get SSS ID Card Online
The new process is significantly different from the former UMID application.
Step 1: Log In to Your My.SSS Account
Go to the official SSS website and sign in to your My.SSS Member Portal.
Before proceeding, check that your:
- complete name;
- date of birth;
- mailing/home address;
- email address; and
- mobile number
are correct.
Do not proceed using information you already know is outdated.
Step 2: Select MySSS Card
Inside your My.SSS account, go to Services and select the MySSS Card option.
The system should display the information needed to begin your application.
Step 3: Review Your Personal Information
Carefully check the personal details shown by SSS.
If your name, date of birth or contact information is incorrect, update your records first.
This is especially important if your name changed after marriage or there is a difference between your PSA/National ID information and your older SSS membership record.
Step 4: Allow National ID Verification
You will be asked to give consent for SSS to verify your identity using the National ID eVerify system.
SSS uses the National ID system for biometric identity authentication and uses the National ID photograph for your MySSS Card.
Step 5: Complete the Facial Scan
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the facial verification process.
Make sure you have:
good lighting, a working camera, a stable internet connection and an unobstructed view of your face.
The scan is used to confirm your identity against the National ID records.
Step 6: Select an SSS Partner Bank
Choose one of the available Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) shown in your application.
SSS originally rolled out the program with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) through DiskarTech and has announced expansion through additional financial institutions. SSS also announced a partnership with EastWest Rural Bank in March 2026 for future wider availability, particularly in provincial and underserved areas.
Because the rollout can change, use the bank choices actually displayed in your My.SSS account instead of relying on an old online list.
Step 7: Agree to Data Sharing
You will need to consent to information sharing between:
SSS → National ID System → Partner Financial Institution
This information is required for identity authentication, MySSS Card processing and creation/linking of your partner-bank account.
After you complete the SSS side of the application, you should receive confirmation through your My.SSS inbox and registered email.
Step 8: Complete the Bank Application
Your application is not finished simply because the My.SSS part has been completed.
You must complete the partner bank’s onboarding procedure.
Depending on the participating bank, this can be done through its mobile application or another bank-provided channel.
For the current MySSS Card powered by RCBC DiskarTech process, for example, the applicant receives an SSS transaction number, downloads DiskarTech, registers using the transaction number and completes the bank’s Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
Step 9: Pay the Applicable Card Fee
SSS itself does not publish one universal card price because the partner bank determines the applicable card fee.
SSS warns that an application may be canceled if the required fee is not paid within the bank’s prescribed period.
For the RCBC DiskarTech-issued MySSS Card, the bank currently lists a ₱200 physical card fee, deducted from the DiskarTech account after the physical card is requested. Bank fees and promotions can change, so check the current amount before applying.
Step 10: Wait for Your Card
After successfully completing the partner-bank account opening and card requirements, the financial institution produces the physical MySSS Card.
SSS currently publishes these general release periods:
| Location | Published Processing/Release Period |
|---|---|
| Metro Manila | Within 15 working days after successful account opening |
| Outside Metro Manila | Within 20 working days after successful account opening |
Your partner bank will notify you by SMS, its mobile app or another specified channel when the card is available for pickup or delivery.
For RCBC DiskarTech, the bank currently states that the physical MySSS Card can be picked up at the selected RCBC branch in approximately 15–20 working days depending on location.
Do You Need to Visit an SSS Branch?
Normally, no branch visit is required for the standard MySSS Card biometric application.
This is an important change from the old UMID application process. Under the former system, applicants commonly visited an SSS branch for: application submission, photograph capture, fingerprints and electronic signature.
For the MySSS Card, SSS states that you do not need to visit an SSS branch for biometrics because your identity is verified using National ID eVerify and your National ID photograph is used for the card.
You may still need to deal with the selected partner bank depending on its account-opening or card-release procedure.
This is why older guides telling every applicant to book a UMID appointment at an SSS branch should no longer be followed for a new standard application.
Can You Still Apply for a UMID Card?
For a new SSS card application, you should apply for the MySSS Card rather than a generic UMID.
SSS Circular 2025-008 states that issuance of the MySSS Card effectively discontinued issuance of generic UMID cards and UMID Pay Cards. A 2026 SSS response also specifically says that UMID issuance has been suspended and directs applicants to the MySSS Card instead.
This is one of the most important updates to know because many articles, videos and forum posts still describe the old UMID procedure.
Is an Existing UMID Card Still Valid?
Yes. If you already have an old SSS ID, UMID or previous SSS card, SSS says previously issued cards remain valid. You do not need to throw away a working UMID simply because the MySSS Card exists.
You may still decide to apply for a MySSS Card, particularly if you want its integrated banking and SSS disbursement features or need to replace a lost or damaged older card.
What If Your SSS ID or UMID Is Lost?
If you lost an ordinary old SSS-issued UMID and need a replacement, the current MySSS Card system is particularly relevant.
SSS explicitly states that holders of older SSS cards can apply for a MySSS Card for replacement of a lost or damaged card or to update their information.
If the lost card also functions as an ATM/debit card, contact the financial institution connected to the card promptly so it can advise you about blocking the banking functionality.
Do not assume you should simply submit an old E-6 UMID application form. The current SSS card system has changed.
Is the MySSS Card a Valid Government ID?
There is an important distinction here. SSS describes the MySSS Card as a valid government-issued functional ID, and it can be used as identification for SSS transactions.
However, SSS also explicitly says that other government agencies and private institutions are not required to accept the MySSS Card as an official ID.
Whether a bank, company, government office or another organization accepts it depends on that institution’s own ID policy. SSS points to the National ID as the country’s primary official identification system.
Therefore, do not apply for the MySSS Card solely on the assumption that every institution in the Philippines must accept it as a primary ID.
Does the MySSS Card Work as an ATM or Debit Card?
Yes. The MySSS Card is linked to an account maintained by an SSS partner financial institution. It has an EMV chip and is designed to support banking functions as determined by the issuing bank.
For RCBC DiskarTech cardholders, published features include ATM withdrawals, fund transfers, balance inquiry, purchases, bill payments and other supported banking services.
The card is therefore more than just proof of SSS membership.
Can SSS Benefits and Loans Be Sent to the MySSS Card?
Yes. One of the main reasons SSS introduced the MySSS Card is to combine identification with benefit disbursement. After the MySSS Card-linked account is successfully established, it automatically becomes the main SSS disbursement account for applicable benefits, loans and other proceeds.
This also means you generally do not have to separately enroll that new account through DAEM.
For RCBC DiskarTech users, the bank states that eligible SSS benefits or loan proceeds can already be received through the DiskarTech account once the application/account setup has been successfully completed, even before the applicant receives the physical card.
Why Can’t I Apply for an SSS ID Online?
If the MySSS Card option does not work or you cannot complete your application, check the underlying eligibility requirements one by one.
| Problem | What to Check |
|---|---|
| SS number not permanent | Complete any required SSS membership-document validation |
| No My.SSS account | Register for the My.SSS Member Portal |
| Wrong mobile/email | Update your SSS contact information |
| No local address | Review and update the address on your SSS record |
| Not National ID registered | Complete National ID registration |
| Name mismatch | Correct the record with SSS or PSA/National ID as appropriate |
| Birth date mismatch | Correct the inaccurate government record |
| Facial verification fails | Improve lighting/camera conditions and verify National ID information |
| Bank onboarding fails | Contact your selected PFI |
| Card option unavailable | Check current eligibility/status through SSS |
Do not repeatedly submit inconsistent information because that may make identity verification harder.
Does the MySSS Card Show Your SSS Number?
The card is connected to your SSS membership record, but you should not treat a physical ID card as your only record of your SS number.
Your SS number is permanent and remains associated with your membership even if your physical SSS ID or UMID is lost. You can review your membership information through your My.SSS account.
Do First-Time Employees Need an SSS ID Card?
You should distinguish between getting an SS number and getting an SSS ID card.
They are not the same process. A person entering covered employment primarily needs to become registered with SSS and obtain an SS number. The MySSS Card is a separate physical identification/banking product.
If an employer says it needs “SSS,” ask whether it actually requires: your SS number, proof of SSS registration/member record, or a physical ID card. Do not delay employment unnecessarily because you assume an SSS card is the only proof of membership.
How Much Does an SSS ID Card Cost?
There is no single universal MySSS Card fee published by SSS because the issuing partner bank may charge the applicable card fee. For the current RCBC DiskarTech card, RCBC lists a ₱200 physical card fee.
Always check the amount shown during your application because partner banks, fees and promotions can change.
How Long Does It Take to Get an SSS ID?
SSS currently states that the MySSS Card should generally be released by the issuing bank within: 15 working days in Metro Manila or 20 working days outside Metro Manila after the partner-bank account has been successfully opened.
Remember that the clock is tied to successful account opening—not simply the moment you first click the MySSS Card option. Incomplete bank verification, incorrect personal information or unpaid applicable fees can delay or cancel the process.
How Do You Check Your SSS ID Application Status?
After completing the SSS portion of your application, monitor your:
My.SSS inbox, registered email, SMS messages and partner-bank application/app notifications.
Once the application reaches the bank-processing stage, SSS instructs members with application-status questions to contact the chosen bank directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get an SSS ID card?
Apply for the MySSS Card through your My.SSS account. Verify your information, complete National ID identity verification, select a partner bank, finish its account-opening process and follow its instructions for paying any applicable fee and receiving the physical card.
Can I apply for an SSS ID online?
Yes. The current MySSS Card process begins online through the My.SSS Member Portal. You no longer follow the ordinary branch-based generic UMID application process.
What ID is SSS issuing now?
The current SSS functional identification card is the MySSS Card, which replaced generic UMID issuance.
Is UMID still available for new applicants?
Generic UMID issuance has been discontinued/suspended for new SSS applications. Apply for the MySSS Card instead. Existing UMID cards remain valid.
Do I need to go to an SSS branch to get my picture taken?
No. For the MySSS Card, SSS uses your National ID photograph and National ID eVerify identity authentication, so the standard process does not require an SSS branch biometric visit.
What are the requirements for an SSS ID?
You generally need a permanent SS number, My.SSS registration, updated address/mobile/email information, National ID registration and matching personal details between your SSS and National ID records. You must also satisfy the chosen partner bank’s account-opening requirements.
Can I get an SSS ID without contributions?
SSS’s general published MySSS Card eligibility requirements do not specify a universal minimum contribution count. They focus on having a permanent SS number, My.SSS registration, updated records and National ID registration. The selected bank may have additional onboarding requirements.
Is the new SSS ID free?
Not necessarily. SSS says the issuing bank may charge a card fee. RCBC DiskarTech currently lists a ₱200 fee for its physical MySSS Card.
How long does the SSS ID take?
SSS currently lists up to 15 working days after successful account opening for Metro Manila and 20 working days outside Metro Manila.
Can I use my old UMID?
Yes. SSS says previously issued UMID and older SSS cards remain valid.
Can I replace my lost UMID with a MySSS Card?
Yes. SSS specifically says holders of old SSS/UMID cards may apply for the MySSS Card when replacing a lost or damaged card or updating information.
Can I use the MySSS Card as a valid ID everywhere?
Not necessarily. It is valid for SSS transactions, but SSS says other government agencies and private institutions are not mandated to accept it. Acceptance depends on the institution’s policy.
Can I receive my SSS loan through the MySSS Card?
Yes. The linked MySSS Card bank account can serve as the default account for eligible SSS benefits and loan proceeds.
Before You Apply
The most important thing to remember is that “SSS ID,” “UMID,” and “MySSS Card” no longer describe the same application process.
If you are applying for a new SSS card today, do not follow an old guide telling you to download a UMID form, schedule a branch appointment and visit SSS for fingerprints.
Instead, prepare your permanent SS number, My.SSS account, updated SSS records and National ID registration, then begin the MySSS Card application through My.SSS.
Before submitting, double-check your name and birth date because they should match your National ID record. Then follow the instructions of the partner bank shown in your My.SSS account for account verification, card fees and card release.
Existing UMID holders do not need to panic—their previously issued cards remain valid. But for a new or replacement SSS-issued card, the MySSS Card is now the process to understand.
