Definition

A house helper is any person who renders domestic or household services and receives compensation for such services.

Domestic or household services are specialized jobs or activities done in the home of a household employer by a house helper or domestic worker such as a maid, babysitter or nursemaid, gardener, cook, laundry woman, and similar workers. These include chores and services required by the household employer for the upkeep and maintenance of his or her home and for the comfort and convenience of his or her family and its members.

A household is composed of the primary family members of a household employer, including other people living in the same house, to which the house helper provides direct services.

Kasambahay Unified Registration System or KURS

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act/Batas Kasambahay, a unified system of registration and enrollment was required to make easier and faster the registration of house helpers and their HRs with the SSS, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), under which house helpers are mandatorily covered by these three government agencies.

KURS is a program wherein the respective registration processes of SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG are integrated into a web service for the registration of HRs and their house helpers into a “One Stop Shop” or “3-in-1″ system.

Through KURS, HRs and house helpers will be issued their membership numbers and covered under three government agencies using just one form. The SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG shall provide registration services and membership numbers to HRs and their house helpers, regardless of which agency they choose to register with.

The unified forms consolidate all the personal information of the registrants that are common and pertinent to the said agencies, and are available in all the branches and services offices of SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG or may be downloaded from the following websites: www.sss.gov.ph, www.philhealth.gov.ph, and www.pagibig.gov.ph. 

The unified forms are as follows:

  1. Household Employer Unified Registration Form (PPS-HEUR1)
  2. Household Employment Unified Report Form (PPS-HEUR2)
  3. Kasambahay Unified Registration Form (PPS-KUR)

Registration

House helpers should submit one (1) copy of a filled-out Kasambahay Unified Registration Form (PPS-KUR Form) in any branch or service office of SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG to be issued three membership numbers: SS Number, PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN), and Pag-IBIG Membership Identification (MID) Number or Registration Tracking Number (RTN).

For the SSS, the forms to be presented/submitted along with the PPS-KUR Form are the following:

  1. Primary Documents – submit photocopy and present original/certified true copy of any of the following:
    •   Birth Certificate
    •   Baptismal Certificate
    •   Driver’s License
    •   Passport
    •   PRC Card
    •   Seaman’s Book
  1. Secondary Documents – in the absence of primary documents, submit photocopy and present original/certified true copy of two (2) of the following, both should bear the name and at least one should indicate the date of birth:
    •   ATM Card
    •   Bank Account Passbook
    •   Birth/Baptismal Certificate of Children
    •   Marriage Contract
    •   NBI Clearance
    •   Police Clearance
    •   Postal ID Card
    •   Voter’s ID/Affidavit
    •   School Records
    •   ID Card issued by Local Government Units (e.g. Barangay, Municipal/City)

If the required supporting document/s is/are not available at the time of registration, or if registration is done at Pag-IBIG/PhilHealth, or if the registrant is unable to sign the document, SS Number shall still be issued, subject to the following conditions:

  1. Membership status of kasambahay is “Temporary.”
  2. The SS Number issued can only be used for contribution payment and employee reporting (by the HR).
  3. Submission of primary or secondary document/s and/or signature in the form is required for conversion of membership status to Permanent, thru Member’s Data Amendment Form (SSS Form E-4).
  4. Availment of SSS benefits and loans is only allowed for Permanent membership statys, subject to qualifying conditions.

See also Become an SSS member > Managing your Membership Details
See also How to change your Membership from Temporary to Permanent thru My.SSS

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: Updating/Change in personal information, dependents/beneficiaries as well as registration of family driver should be submitted/done to/in each agency.

Effects of non-reporting and non-remittance

An ER who does not report his/her EEs, regardless of status of employment, is violating the SSS Law. Meanwhile, an HR who does the same can be sued for violating two (2) laws – Section 40 of the Republic Act 10361 or the Batas Kasambahay, and Section 28 of the Republic Act 11199 otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 2018.

If found guilty, the ER/HR is liable to the EEs and must:

  • pay the benefits of those who die, become disabled, get sick or reach retirement age
  • pay all unpaid contributions plus a penalty of two percent (2%) per month
  • be held liable for a criminal offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

The Kasambahay is still entitled to SSS benefits even if the Household Employer fails or refuses to report and remit SSS contributions.