How to Get Solo Parent ID Card

A parent in the Philippines who is solely raising his/her child should get a Solo Parent ID Card being issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Caring for the children and providing their daily needs in almost every aspect of life is a very challenging responsibility of both parents. How much more if you are the only one raising your child.

There are millions of single parents or solo parents in the country and the government is not pretending to be blind about this. The government recognized the need for assistance that’s why they are implementing program of services, benefits and privileges for the solo parents under the Republic Act No. 8972, known as the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000.”

So you might ask, who are qualified as solo parents and eligible to get a Solo Parent ID Card? Well, there are several conditions written on the Act but to discuss it in simple terms, here are the categories which a person is considered as a solo parent:

• A woman who gave birth to a child even if the pregnancy is due to unwanted circumstances.
• A parent whose spouse passed away.
• A parent taking care of his children because the spouse is detained or in prison for at least 1 year.
• A parent raising his/her children alone because of the incapacity of the spouse.
• A parent left alone due to legal separation or abandonment of spouse for at least 1 year.
• Any person who provides the needs of children or any family member who takes care of the children in the absence of a parent due to death, abandonment or disappearance.

Benefits of Having Solo Parent ID Card

Some parents would say that one of the best benefits of having a Solo Parent ID Card is the “parental leave” in case the parent is working. The 7-day leave is granted to the holder of the solo parent ID given that he/she has rendered at least a year working in the company. Other privileges if you are a working parent is the flexible work schedule and no discrimination at work as this is an often issue while in the workplace.

Moreover, to those solo parents with financial status falls below the poverty threshold determined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), may avail more benefits such as educational assistance in the form of scholarships, housing benefits with favorable payment scheme, medical assistance and more.

Solo Parent ID Card Requirements

• Application Form – You can get and fill-up this form in the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in your locality.
• Barangay Certificate – This serves as a proof that you have been residing in your barangay for at least 6 months.
• Proof of Income – This can be your Income Tax Return or ITR, or any document suggested by the social worker to identify your financial status.
• Supporting Documents (of being a single parent) – This can be a death certificate if your wife/husband already passed away or a declaration of annulment of marriage, etc.
• Birth Certificate of Child or Children

How to Get Solo Parent ID Card

1. Go to the Social Welfare and Development Office in your locality, you can ask some direction in the municipal/city hall if you don’t know the exact location.
2. Fill-up the application form and submit the requirements to be evaluated by the DSWD worker. Expect also to be interviewed in the office.
3. Once your application is approved, you will be assigned an appropriate case number and registered in the Registry of Solo Parents logbook.

That was the general guide and requirements on how to get a solo parent ID card in the Philippines. Have you got your ID successfully? Do let us know some tips on the comment section.