That loan requirements are actually the reason why many OFWs feel discouraged to apply.
However, there are still loan programs that are specifically designed for OFWs or Overseas Filipino Workers.
The Social Security System or SSS has a program called Direct Housing Loan Facility for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) it is designed to support the Government's shelter program,and to provide socialized and low-cost housing to overseas Filipino contract workers. The application process for this type of loan is designed to meet the documents that OFWs can produce. The only thing noticeable on this loan is that the interest rate is still high compared to the housing loans offered by private banks.
Check here for the comparison of interest rates for bank loans in Philippines
The following are the loan details as provided by SSS.
The Social Security System or SSS has a program called Direct Housing Loan Facility for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) it is designed to support the Government's shelter program,and to provide socialized and low-cost housing to overseas Filipino contract workers. The application process for this type of loan is designed to meet the documents that OFWs can produce. The only thing noticeable on this loan is that the interest rate is still high compared to the housing loans offered by private banks.
Check here for the comparison of interest rates for bank loans in Philippines
The following are the loan details as provided by SSS.
How Can An OFW Avail the Direct Housing Loan Facility for OFWs?
Eligible Borrowers
OFW member is qualified to borrow if he meets the following eligibility requirements:- Member is a certified Overseas Filipino Worker;
- Member is a voluntary OFW member of SSS;
- Member has at least 36 months contribution and 24 continuous contributions in the period prior to application
- Member is not more than 60 years old at the time of application and must be insurable. Members age 60 years at time of application will have a maximum loan term of 5 years
- Member was not previously granted an SSS housing loan
- Member has not been granted final SSS benefits
- Borrower and spouse is updated in the payment of their other SSS loan(s), if any
The spouses of an existing borrower may still qualify for an SSS housing loan if the loan of the existing borrower was obtained prior to the date of marriage and the loan is not delinquent.Loan Purposes
The allowable purposes for a loan are as follows:
- Construction of a new house or dwelling unit on a lot owned by the applicant free from lien/encumbrances;
- Purchase of a lot and construction thereon of a new house or dwelling unit; and
- Purchase of an existing residential unit which may be a house and lot, a condominium unit or a townhouse.
The property subject of the loan must be occupied by the owner-borrower or his/her immediate family member upon purchase of the unit
How To Apply For The Direct Housing Loan Facility For OFW
The member may file the application at the nearest SSS cluster branch or at the Housing and Business Loans Department, 5/F, SSS Bldg., East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
The following documents should be submitted upon filing of application:
- Original copy of the following:
- Mortgagor's Application for Housing Loan with 1” x 1” ID pictures of Principal Applicant and Spouse
- Certificate of Loan Eligibility (CLE) – (P100 Service Fee)
- Certification from POEA/DOLE/OWWA/ SSS Foreign Representative Office or Philippine Embassy/Consular Office
- Deed of Sale or Contract to Sell with statement of latest balance for purchase of lot or house and lot
- Appraisal Report from Home Guaranty Corporation accredited appraisal companies
- Certificate of Acceptance and Occupancy duly signed by the borrower if house is 100% complete at the time of loan filing
- Duly notarized Special Power of Attorney (if filing is through a representative)
- Original and Photocopy of the following:
- Latest Contract of Employment and latest Employer's Certification duly authenticated by Phil. Consulate
- Owner's copy of the TCT/OCT/CCT
- Certified true copy of TCT/OCT/CCT issued by the Register of Deeds
- Latest Property Tax Declaration and Realty Tax Receipt
- Other documents:
- Lot plan with vicinity map duly signed and sealed by Registered Surveyor or Geodetic Engineer (Blue Print)
- Building plans/specifications/picture of the house (Blue Print)
- A set of twelve (12) postdated checks covering twelve (12) monthly installments and shall be repeated every twelve (12) months thereafter until the loan is fully paid
- Tax Mapping/Subdivision Plan
- Affidavit of Undertaking to continue paying monthly SSS premium contributions for the duration of housing loan
Note:
• Present original and submit one (1) photocopy of required documents for authentication purposes
• Applicant and spouse must be up-to-date in the payment of all existing loan accounts with SSS subject to verification by the SSS
• SSS reserves the right to require additional documents if deemed necessary
• Application Fee – ½ of 1% of loan amount or P500 whichever is higher but not to exceed P3,000.00 to be deducted from the first loan release.
• Inspection Fee – P500 for both within and outside Metro Manila
• Applicant and spouse must be up-to-date in the payment of all existing loan accounts with SSS subject to verification by the SSS
• SSS reserves the right to require additional documents if deemed necessary
• Application Fee – ½ of 1% of loan amount or P500 whichever is higher but not to exceed P3,000.00 to be deducted from the first loan release.
• Inspection Fee – P500 for both within and outside Metro Manila
Loanable Amount
The maximum loanable amount is P2,000,000.00. The loan amount granted shall be the lowest amount based on the following factors:
- Appraised value of collateral of at least 70% but not to exceed 90%
- Borrower's capacity to pay
- Actual need of the borrower based on the contract to sell/scope of work and bill of materials evaluated by the SSSHousing Loan TypeAmount of Loan
Socialized Housing Loan Up to P450,000.00
Low-cost Housing Loan - Over P450,000 up to P1,000,000
- Over P1,000,000 up to 1,500,000
- Over P1,500,000 up to P2,000,000
- Term of the LoanThe loan is payable in multiples of five (5) years up to a maximum of fifteen (15) years.
However, the loan term shall be subject to the following:
- The principal borrower's age shall not exceed 65 years old at the time of loan maturity; and
- The loan term shall not exceed the economic life of the building as determined by the SSS appraiser.
- Interest Rate
- Up to P450,000.00 - 8% p.a.
- Over P450,000.00 up to P1,000,000.00 - 9% p.a.
- Over P1,000,000.00 up to P1,500,000.00 - 10% p.a.
- Over P1,500,000.00 up to P2,000,000.00 - 11% p.a.
- Allowable Collateral/sThe collateral for the loan is the Transfer Certificate Title/Original Certificate of Title/ Condominium Certificate of Title (TCT/OCT/CCT) issued by the Registry of Deeds in the name of the principal borrower free from liens and encumbrances.The loan shall be secured by a first Real Estate Mortgage (REM) on the house and lot to be financed. The REM shall be annotated on the member borrowers TCT/OCT/CCT and shall be registered with the appropriate Registry of Deeds. The loan shall also be covered by an HGC guaranty.In case the purpose of the loan is the purchase of residential condominium unit prior to actual construction (pre-selling), other residential property acceptable to SSS shall be submitted as collateral to secure the loan.The following are not acceptable as collateral:
- Land type other than residential
- Less than 15 sq. meters floor area, in case of condominium units
- Less than 32 sq. meters lot area
- Road right of way is less than 1.5 meters
- Free/Homestead/Miscellaneous Sales Patent Titles
- Insurance Coverage
- Mortgage Redemption Insurance
- Fire Insurance
- Home Guaranty Corporation Coverage
- Manners of Payment
- List of Overseas Payment Centers (For OFWs)
- PNB electronic overseas bills payment
- i-Remit online branches
- Ventaja online outlets
- WDS-Lucky Money online branches
- Metrobank online branches & subsidiaries
- BDO Remit Services
- RCBC Telepay Service
- BOC Remittance tie-ups
- AUB Ginto Hatid Express
- Bancnet online payments (www.bancnetonline.com)
- Branches or remittance tie-ups of accredited collecting banks
- List of Overseas Payment Centers (For OFWs)
For more information, please visit the SSS Housing and Business Loans Department, 5th Floor, SSS Main Building, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City or you may call telephone number 920-64-01 local 5121 to 5127, or
e-mail at member_relations@sss.gov.ph
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