1 Year and 7 Months Later, I Finally Got My SSS ID Card

I just received my SSS ID card early this morning. It arrived, or I mean I arrived at the Philippine Postal Office in Quezon City at around 7AM because I had to catch the karteros before they leave to deliver mails. Two hours later, I was already holding my SSS ID card - finally, after almost two years of waiting.

I checked the envelope and it looks like they started releasing the cards a year and a half after my application. This must be for all those who applied in 2010 (I guess?). They attempted to deliver my card in my old address last October 14, 17 and 18. Of course, I was not there to receive it.

Yes, I actually read the enclosed letter and it sounds promising:

"Your Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card has a micro chip that securely stores your personal information and pertinent SSS data. We are also pleased to inform you that your UMID Card can also be used to transact with other government agencies such as the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG Fund and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)."

Anyway, the first thing I checked was the information printed on the card. I could remember very clearly that I chose the option NOT to print my birth date on it. Obviously, no one checked the application form that I filled-out because my birth date is on the card. And had I known that they will also print my address on it, I would have used my home address instead.

I don't live in Quezon City anymore.

When will I receive my SSS ID card?

So, after long years of convincing myself to get an SSS ID card, I finally got the courage to go to one of their offices and bear the long excruciating hours of waiting for my turn.

That was May of last year. That's right, one year ago, but I haven't received my card yet. Where did my SSS ID card go?!?

I made an online inquiry and look what I found:

Remarks: FOR CARD PRINTING

How long would it take for them to print my card? More than a year? Ahh... I expect to receive a wood-laminated ID card in the mail.


UPDATE: After 1 year and 6 months, the ID cards have started to arrive! If you applied during the first and second quarter of 2010, you should have received your ID card already. Otherwise, you may need to claim it from the SSS main office mailing department (along East Avenue, Quezon City).