Getting a Solo Parent ID

Who Counts as a Solo Parent

Under Section 4 of RA 11861, you may qualify if you are:

• a parent left with sole care of the child because of:
  • the birth of the child as a result of rape, even if no one has been finally convicted;
  • the death of the spouse;
  • the spouse's detention for at least three months, or the spouse serving a sentence;
  • the spouse being physically or mentally unable to help (incapacity), certified by a doctor;
  • legal separation, or simply living apart (de facto separation), for at least six months;
  • a declaration of nullity or annulment of the marriage, or a divorce recognized by law;
  • abandonment by the spouse for at least six months;
• the spouse or family member of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in a low or semi-skilled job who has been away for at least 12 months without a break, or the guardian of the OFW's child;
• an unmarried mother or father who keeps and raises the child;
• a legal guardian, adoptive or foster parent who alone cares for the child;
• a relative up to the fourth degree (for example a grandparent, aunt, uncle or first cousin) who takes care of the child because the parents died, abandoned the child, disappeared or have been away for at least six months; or
• a pregnant woman who alone provides for her unborn child.

Where and How to Apply

RA 11861 says each city and province must have a Solo Parent Office, and each municipality a Solo Parent Division under its social welfare office. In practice, you apply at your city or municipal social welfare and development office (CSWDO or MSWDO) where you live. Some local governments (LGUs) also accept applications online.

1. Get the application form from the office.
2. Prepare the documents for your category (see the checklist).
3. Hand them in. The office may interview you or visit your home.
4. The office must issue the Solo Parent ID and booklet within 7 working days after it receives complete documents.

If your application is denied and you disagree, the law lets you raise it with the city, municipal or provincial social welfare office, which must resolve it within 5 working days.

Benefits in General

• Parental leave: up to 7 working days of paid leave a year, on top of other leave, for solo parent employees with at least six months of service, in government or private employment. Unused days do not carry over and are lost.
• Work: employers may not discriminate against you because you are a solo parent, and solo parents get priority for work-from-home arrangements (telecommuting).
• Cash subsidy: ₱1,000 a month from the city or municipality, for solo parents earning the minimum wage or less, after a check of your income (means testing), and if you are not receiving other government cash aid.
• Discount and VAT exemption: for solo parents earning less than ₱250,000 a year, a 10% discount and exemption from VAT on baby's milk, food and micronutrient supplements, sanitary diapers, prescribed medicines, vaccines and other medical supplies, for a child from birth until 6 years old.
• PhilHealth: automatic coverage under the National Health Insurance Program.
• Education and livelihood: scholarship programs from DepEd, CHED and TESDA, a full scholarship for one qualified child, and priority in livelihood and skills training.
• Housing: priority in government low-cost housing, for those below the poverty line (poverty threshold).

Not every LGU has funded the cash subsidy yet. Ask your social welfare office what it currently gives.

Keeping the ID Valid

The Solo Parent ID and booklet are valid for one year. Renew before it expires, at the same office, with updated documents. Most offices ask for a fresh affidavit or barangay certification each year that you are still caring for the child alone.

Benefits stop if you no longer qualify, for example if you marry or live with a partner, or the child no longer counts as a dependent. Giving false information to get the ID is penalized under RA 11861.