diff --git a/src/config/functions.php b/src/config/functions.php
index 679ebc99..81f8cf3b 100644
--- a/src/config/functions.php
+++ b/src/config/functions.php
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ function getUserMemberStatus($user_id)
         return false;
     }
 
-    // Step 3: Check the membership_application table for accept_indemnity status
+    // Step 2: Check the membership_application table for accept_indemnity status
     $queryApplication = "SELECT accept_indemnity FROM membership_application WHERE user_id = ?";
     $stmtApplication = $conn->prepare($queryApplication);
     if (!$stmtApplication) {
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ function getUserMemberStatus($user_id)
     $stmtApplication->close();
 
     if ($resultApplication->num_rows === 0) {
-        error_log("No membership application found for user_id: $user_id");
+        error_log("No membership application found for user_id: $user_id - checking if linked to another membership");
         // Check if user is linked to another user's membership
         $linkedStatus = getUserMembershipLink($user_id);
         $conn->close();
@@ -456,11 +456,14 @@ function getUserMemberStatus($user_id)
 
     // Validate accept_indemnity
     if ($accept_indemnity !== 1) {
-        error_log("User has not accepted indemnity for user_id: $user_id");
-        return false;
+        error_log("User has not accepted indemnity for user_id: $user_id - checking if linked to another membership");
+        // User hasn't accepted indemnity directly, but check if they're linked to an active membership
+        $linkedStatus = getUserMembershipLink($user_id);
+        $conn->close();
+        return $linkedStatus['has_access'];
     }
 
-    // Step 2: Check membership fees table for valid payment status and membership_end_date
+    // Step 3: Check membership fees table for valid payment status and membership_end_date
     $queryFees = "SELECT payment_status, membership_end_date FROM membership_fees WHERE user_id = ?";
     $stmtFees = $conn->prepare($queryFees);
     if (!$stmtFees) {
@@ -474,8 +477,11 @@ function getUserMemberStatus($user_id)
     $stmtFees->close();
 
     if ($resultFees->num_rows === 0) {
-        error_log("Membership fees not found for user_id: $user_id");
-        return false;
+        error_log("Membership fees not found for user_id: $user_id - checking if linked to another membership");
+        // No direct membership fees, check if linked
+        $linkedStatus = getUserMembershipLink($user_id);
+        $conn->close();
+        return $linkedStatus['has_access'];
     }
 
     $fees = $resultFees->fetch_assoc();
@@ -488,15 +494,17 @@ function getUserMemberStatus($user_id)
 
     if ($payment_status === "PAID" && $current_date <= $membership_end_date_obj) {
         $conn->close();
-        return true; // Membership is active
+        return true; // Direct membership is active
     } else {
+        // Direct membership is not active, check if user is linked to another active membership
+        error_log("Direct membership not active for user_id: $user_id - checking linked memberships");
+        $linkedStatus = getUserMembershipLink($user_id);
         $conn->close();
-        return false;
+        return $linkedStatus['has_access'];
     }
-
-    return false; // Membership is not active
 }
 
+
 function getUserMemberStatusPending($user_id)
 {