AMENDED: Additional Benefits for Solo Parents conforming the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) formerly National Statistics Office (NSO), there are around 14 million single parents in the Philippines. As a result, on November 7, 2000, the Philippine government passed Republic Act 8972, also called as the Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000. A comprehensive package of services offered to single parents and their kids.

This law covers fathers or mothers who raise their children alone due to situations like the death of a spouse, abandonment, separation, or even those who bear children as a result of rape. The measure also applies to anyone who are entrusted with the responsibility of raising children who are not their own, such as godchildren, nieces, or nephews.

Read: Benefits and Privileges of Solo Parent in the Philippines

The great news is, an amended version of RA 8972 which is RA 11861 also known as the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act has been passed on the 18th congress on June 4, 2022.

CATEGORIES OF PARENTS ACCORDING TO THE LAW

A solo parent refers to any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

a. A parent who provides sole parental care and support of the child or children due to:

1. Birth as consequence of rape
2. Death of the spouse
3. Detention of the spouse for at least three (3) months or service of sentence for a criminal conviction or discrimination because of a physical or mental condition or disability
4. Physical or mental incapacity of the spouse as certified by a public or private medical practitioner
5. Legal separation of de facto separation for at least six (6) months
6. Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage
7. Abandonment by the spouse for at least six (6) months

b. Spouse, any family member or the guardian of the child or children of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), provided that:

1. The OFW belongs to the low/semi-skilled worker category and is away from the Philippines for an uninterrupted period of twelve (12) months
2. Or if the OFW, his or her spouse, family member, or guardian of the child or children are unmarried mother of father, legal guardian, foster or adaptive parent

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR SOLO PARENTS UNDER THE LAW

1. Solo parents who earn a minimum wage or less are now eligible to a P1,000 monthly cash support
2. Until the child is six years old, those making less than P250,000 will also be entitled to a 10 percent discount and a value-added tax exemption on baby supplies like milk, diapers, vaccinations, and medications.
3. In addition to their existing advantages, senior citizens and people with disabilities who are single parents are also eligible for the discounts.
4. The law also mandates the provision of scholarships to deserving children of single parents by the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
5. Work Discrimination Protection
6. Automatic Health Coverage

HOW TO AVAIL THE BENEFITS?

Individuals who match the criteria must get a Solo Parent ID to the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and bring with them the ff. documentary requirements:

For solo parent with child or children as consequence of rape:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Complaint affidavit
3. Medical record on the incident of rape
4. Sworn affidavit declaring that the solo parent has sole parental care and support of the child or children

For solo parent on the account of the death of spouse:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Marriage Certificate
3. Death Certificate of the spouse
   Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children
4. For the solo parent on the account of detention or criminal conviction of the spouse
5. Judicial decree of legal separation of the spouses or in the case of de facto separation
6. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For solo parent on the account of declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Marriage certificate
3. Judicial decree of nullity or annulment of marriage or judicial recognition of foreign divorce
   Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For the solo parent on the account of abandonment by spouse:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Marriage certificate or affidavit of the applicant solo parent
3. Affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons attesting to the abandonment of the spouse
4. Police or barangay record of the fact of abandonment
5. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For the solo parent who is legal guardian, adoptive or foster parent:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Proof of guardianship, foster care or adoption
3. Affidavit of a barangay official attesting that the solo parent is a resident of the barangay and that the child or children are under the parental care and support of the applicant solo parent
4. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For any relative within fourth (4th) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of the parent or legal guardian who assumes parental care and support of the child or children:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Death certificate of the parents or legal guardian or police or barangay record evidencing the fact of disappearance or absence of the parent or legal guardian for at least six (6) months
3. Affidavit of a barangay official attesting that the children are under the parental care and support of the applicant
4. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent has the sole parental care of the child or children

For solo parent who is pregrnant woman:

1. Medical record of her pregnancy
2. Affidavit of a barangay official attesting that the solo parent is a resident of the barangay and that the child or children are under the parental care and support of the applicant solo parent
3. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For the solo parent on account of physical or mental incapacity of the spouse:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Marriage certifior affidavit of cohabitation
3. Medical record or medical abstract evidencing the physical or mental state of the incapacitated spouse issued not more than three (3) months before the submission
4. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For the spouse or any family member of an OFW:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Marriage certificate of the applicant
3. Overseas Employment of Certificate (OEC) or its equivalent document
4. Copy of passport stamps showing continuous twelve (12) months of overseas work
5. Employment contract
6. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For the unmarried father or mother who keeps and rears the child or chidlren:

1. Birth Certificate/s of the child/children
2. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
3. Affidavit of a barangay official attesting that the solo parent is a resident of the barangay and that the child or children are under the parental care and support of the applicant solo parent
4. Sworn affidavit that the solo parent is not cohabiting with a partner or co-parent and has the sole parental care of the child or children

For solo parent availing subsidy and discounts:

1. Affidavit of Employment
2. Income Tax Return (ITR)
3. Any verifiable proof of income

Source: Official Gazette