What is the UMID card?

Considered as the first line of defense against attempts to defraud the System, the SSS ID has evolved from a simple computerized print-out on a yellow piece of cardboard, to a plastic card with security features such the member’s fingerprint and other biometric information stored in the two-dimensional bar code on the card’s surface. The Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card is the third-generation ID card of the SSS, which uses contact-less smartchip technology that stores the member’s SSS information and biometric data such as fingerprints, facial image and signature.

The UMID streamlines the identification systems of SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG, while using the Central Verification System (CVS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority. The SSS issues UMID cards to its members comprising of private sector workers, GSIS to public sector workers, and PhilHealth to those not covered by either SSS or GSIS.

The UMID card aims to reduce costs to the public by doing away with multiple ID cards and redundant databases. The SSS is the lead agency tasked to implement the project because of its experience in managing a large-scale biometric ID system. The UMID cards are produced in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost), which was tapped by the SSS to undertake the data capture of card applicants under the UMID System through their data capture stations that are set up in SSS branches and postal offices nationwide. Mobile data capture services are also provided at requesting employers’ offices and at remote islands and barangays for members’ convenience.

What are the UMID’s security features and processes?

All SSS UMID Cards have the following security features:

1. Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device (DOVID) or Hologram Image – an optical security feature that shows the changing of colors of the image when the card is tilted or rotated in front of a light source. The DOVID is usually used in government-issued documents and IDs to enhance their security and authenticity.
2. Engraved personal information – these can be physically felt when the UMID card is touched.

The SSS started production of these cards using the facilities of its ID Card Center for centralized validation of card applications, quality control, and packaging or enveloping of the cards for mailing. The PSA’s Central Verification System performs the biometric matching to ensure that members are not issued duplicate cards.

The UMID System uses biometric technology to confirm a person’s identity and prevent issuance of multiple UMID cards that may be used to defraud SSS. To ensure that only one (1) UMID card will be issued to an individual, the member’s fingerprints are compared with others in the database during the centralized biometric data matching process.

Applications with a fingerprint-match are immediately investigated by SSS, while those passing the uniqueness check are assigned a Common Reference Number (CRN), and then sent for card printing and personalization of the contactless smartchip. Each printed card undergoes visual quality inspection and forwarded for readability check and data verification of the smartchip. The UMID card is then packaged and sent to PhilPost for delivery via registered mail. Mailing takes five (5) to seven (7) working days for addresses in Metro Manila, seven (7) to ten (10) working days for outside Metro Manila, and ten (10) to 20 working days for remote areas.

How does one apply for the UMID card?

1. Initial Application
   1. The card-issuing agency for private sector workers is the SSS, for government sector workers is the GSIS, and those not covered by SSS and GSIS, particularly the indigents, is PhilHealth. The current employment of individuals who are both members of GSIS and SSS shall be the basis of which will be the UMID card-issuing agency.
   2. The application of a member with a UMID card already issued by GSIS or PhilHealth shall not be accepted on the basis of the one-card policy of the UMID system.
   3. Covered SSS members who qualify for “Initial Enrollment” shall submit their UMID card applications at the nearest SSS branch, free of charge, subject to the following conditions:
      • Member has at least one (1) month contribution and a valid DOC; and
      • Member has no existing SS ID/UMID card.
   4. Death survivorship pensioners who qualify for “Initial Enrollment” shall submit their UMID applications at the nearest SSS branch, free of charge, provided the survivorship pensioner has no existing SS ID/UMID card.
   5. House helpers without posted contribution/s may qualify for “Initial Enrollment” subject to the following conditions:
      • Membership status of the house helper is “Permanent”; and
      • Member must present the proof of contribution payment (validated Payment Reference Number) made at the branch tellering facility.
2. Member Information
   1. The following information in the UMID Card Application Form and SSS membership database must be the same:
      • SS Number
      • Name (First Name, Middle Name, Last Name)
      • Date of Birth
      • Gender/Sex
   2. An applicant with incorrect or incomplete membership data shall be required to file a Member’s Data Change Request (SSS Form E-4) prior to UMID card enrollment.
   3. All fields in the UMID Card Application Form must be properly completed, particularly the address, and without erasures and alterations. Always indicate “N/A” or “Not Applicable,” if the required data is not applicable.
   4. At least one (1) contact information detail (such as email address, home landline or mobile phone number) must be provided by the applicant in order for the SSS to notify him/her on the status of the card application.
   5. For those who wish to enroll their UMID as an ATM card, the applicant must specify the preferred SSS-accredited bank on the application form.
   6. The applicant should indicate his/her permanent address rather than the temporary mailing address. For example, if he/she has permanent residence in the province but is working or staying in Metro Manila during weekdays, he/she should indicate the provincial address instead of the Metro Manila address.

What documents are needed to apply for the UMID card?

A member who will secure an UMID card for the first time should accomplish and submit the UMID Card Application Form and present the original or certified true copy of the below-listed required ID cards and/or documents.

The Primary ID card shall be the UMID card (issued by GSIS) and other government-issued ID cards/documents with photo and signature, and underwent biometric data capture process such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Passport from DFA
• Driver’s License from LTO
• Social Security 2D Barcode ID Card from SSS
• Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book) from MARINA
• Voter’s ID card from COMELEC
• Alien Certificate of Registration for BOI
• Firearm Registration and/or Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence issued by the PNP
• NBI Clearance
• Postal ID from PhilPost

In the absence of the above Primary ID cards and/or documents, any two (2) ID cards/documents, both of which should bear the person’s signature, and at least one (1) with the person’s photo.

What enhancements has the UMID card undergone?

Apart from identification purposes, the UMID card can now be used in withdrawing benefits and loan proceeds from ATMs. Loan releases and benefit payments can now be paid via deposit to the bank account of the member or beneficiary where the UMID card as an ATM card is enrolled.

How can the UMID card be used as an ATM card?

Members as well as pensioners and member-household employers, shall have the option at the point of capture to enable the UMID card as an ATM card, to which all benefits, loans, and refunds shall be directly credited by SSS. The UMID ATM account can be accessed from any available disbursement channels of the bank and bank-affiliated ATMs.

The SSS member/pensioner/member-household employer shall claim the UMID-ATM card at the bank’s branch office. They can then enroll their UMID-ATM card in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module of the My.SSS Portal. Release of loans or benefits proceeds will be credited to the said UMID-ATM account thereafter.

The cost of first UMID-ATM card shall be shouldered by the bank for all existing pensioners and those who will file and are qualified to receive pension. This shall cover replacement of the SS 2D Barcode card or regular UMID card to a UMID-ATM card.

Can the UMID card be replaced if it is damaged, lost, or found erroneous?

A replacement fee of P200 shall be charged for the replacement of the old SSS 2D-Barcode ID card to the UMID card. The same fee shall apply for the following:

• Correction/Change of name (e.g., from maiden name to married name)
• Correction of date/place of birth and/or sex
• Replacement of lost/damaged card
• Change of home address
• Update of member’s photo
• Change of old card to new card
• Change of specimen signature printed on the card

Meanwhile, no fees will be charged for card replacement due to the following reasons:

1. Erroneous encoding of data in the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) and/or Member Data Change Form (SSS Form E-4); however, the data in the SSS Form E-1 or SSS Form E-4 will be compared against the data from the SSS online inquiry system to check for erroneous encoding.
2. Erroneous screening of previous card application, such as the following:
   • Personal data in the UMID Card Application Form is different from the online inquiry at the time the card application was made (e.g., different name, different date of birth)
   • Demographic data in the UMID Card Application Form is different from the data printed on the card (e.g., erroneous encoding of name, date of birth, address, or sex)
   • Applicant surrenders an SSS 2D-Barcode ID card with cancelled or inactive SS Number at the time of card application.
   • Applicant surrenders an SSS 2D-Barcode ID card with an SS Number that belongs to another person.
   • Applicant surrenders either an SSS 2D-Barcode ID card or UMID card with the wrong photo but correct demographic data (e.g., wrong person captured).
   • Applicant surrenders a UMID card with the wrong signature display.
   • A confirmation from the ID Card Production Department that card replacement fee will be waived due to bad capture and poor quality image/print on the card, or no fingerprint available for matching/inter-change of fingerprint.
3. For card replacement, pay the required fee at any SSS branch office/accredited bank/collecting agent. Submit the validated Miscellaneous Payment Form (SSS Form R-6) or Special Bank Receipt (SBR) with the SSS Form R-6 to the nearest SSS branch office when submitting the UMID card application.
4. Applicants for a new UMID card under their active SS Number but have a previously-issued SS ID/UMID card under their inactive/cancelled SS Number shall be required to undergo ID card replacement procedures.
5. A replacement fee shall be required in case of application for replacement of an SS ID/UMID card under inactive/cancelled SS Number, which was applied when the SS Number was still active.
6. Applicants for card replacement must surrender the old SS ID/UMID card. For lost or non-received cards, the submission of a duly-notarized affidavit of non-receipt of card, or notarized affidavit of loss is required.