When I first heard about a GSIS insurance refund taking over 15 months to be processed, I didn’t believe it. But after reading the story of a DepEd employee who met an accident on her way to work and had to fight so hard just to get what was rightfully hers, I knew this was a story that many needed to hear.

The Accident and the Insurance Promise

On October 24, 2024, a public school staff member got into an accident. Since all government workers are covered by GSIS insurance, especially those working under DepEd, she believed she’d be okay financially. But the real struggle started after the accident.

According to GSIS rules, the accident must happen:

• While going to work,
• During work hours, or
• On the way home from work.

They even have specific rules about what time and what route you’re on. If your accident doesn’t fit in these rules, no refund. That’s harsh, right?

Fighting Through the Pain for the Paperwork

Even though her hand was broken and in a cast, she quickly started working on the requirements. She made sure to complete everything before the end of October 2024. GSIS required many original documents—no photocopies. And yes, she had to walk around with her injured hand just to process all this.

But months passed. No refund.

A Year Later, Still No Refund

After more than a year of silence, around November 2025, someone finally called her. It was an external verifier asking for the same documents again—either the original or a certified true copy. She was shocked. She had already given all of those to GSIS!

Still, she didn’t complain. She sent them again. She just wanted her refund.

Endless Follow-Ups and Emails

She emailed. She called. She followed up again and again.

After 15 long months, she finally received her GSIS insurance refund. And you know what? It wasn’t even a huge amount. But because of the delay, it felt like a jackpot. That’s how bad the waiting was.

Is This Really “Insurance”?

She began asking herself:

“Should GSIS still be called insurance if it takes this long?”

Every month, government workers like her pay big deductions from their salary. But when they need help, the process is so slow.

She even said that private insurance companies work faster. That made her wonder: where is all that money going?

The Emotional Toll

She shared her story not just to complain, but to warn others. Yes, you’ll get your refund. But be ready to wait a year or more. Be ready to ask help from friends just to complete the many documents. And yes, be ready to feel frustrated.

In fact, she even apologized to the people she had to involve in the paperwork. That’s how hard this process was—not just physically, but emotionally.

She said she was still thankful, though, because:

• Only her hand was broken, and
• She still got a refund, even if it took ages.

But one thing hurt her the most: the beneficiary she listed—her child—had nothing to do with the refund process. That broke her heart. 😢

Hidden Costs: Even Photocopies Have a Price

Just when you think it’s over, there’s more. When claiming the check from GSIS, they also needed:

• Photocopy of your ID

Inside GSIS:

• ₱6 for a black-and-white single page
• ₱12 if it’s back-to-back

So even simple things like this added to the stress.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you’re a government worker, this story is your warning. Always keep extra copies of your documents. Be ready for delays. And don’t assume everything will go smoothly just because you’re insured.

We need better systems. Government workers deserve better service. Paying monthly shouldn’t mean waiting yearly for help.

It’s time GSIS made things easier, faster, and more caring.