Under Philippine law, persons with disabilities (PWDs) have certain benefits and privileges Aside from getting discounts on food, medicines, and basic commodities, they are given priority in most public places such as restaurants, banks, and supermarkets.
To make sure that PWDs are able to enjoy these privileges, there’s the PWD ID card, which they can obtain from the nearest City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO) or Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO). If you are planning to get your PWD ID, keep on reading because we’ll show you how!
Guide to Getting a PWD ID Card
In this article, we will talk about the PWD ID — what it is, its benefits, requirements, and how you can get one!
What is a PWD ID?
The Person with Disability Identification Card (PWD ID) is a form of identification for given to individuals with disabilities. It is issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO) where the applicant resides.
Benefits of PWDs
As mentioned earlier, PWDs in the Philippines have specific benefits and privileges, as follows:
- PWD Discount and VAT Exemption. PWDs are entitled to 20% discount and VAT exemption on food, drinks, medicines, medicinal supplies, medical services, dental services, transport fare, etc.;
- Special Discount on Prime Commodities. PWDs are entitled to a 5% special discount on basic necessities and prime commodities like rice, sugar, bread, corn, poultry, meat, fruits, vegetables, etc.;
- Educational Assistance. PWDs may apply for educational assistance through the DSWD.
- Employment Assistance. PWDs may avail of employment assistance, including skills training, job placement, and other related services.
- Express Lanes. Just like senior citizens, PWDs are given priority in restaurants, banks, and government services. All they have to do is head to the “priority lane,” and they cane expect prompt service.
- Other Benefits. In addition to the above benefits, some local governments provide other privileges (e.g. rice, cash assistance) to PWDs.
Types of Disabilities
Here is a list of the different types of disabilities that are eligible for a PWD ID:
- Visual impairment or blindness (total or partial);
- Hearing impairment or deafness (total or partial);
- Orthopedic disability;
- Speech impairment;
- Intellectual disability;
- Mental or psychosocial disability;
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD);
- Learning disability;
- Cancer; and
- Rare diseases.
Qualifications
To qualify for a PWD ID, an applicant must:
- Be a Filipino citizen;
- Have a permanent physical, intellectual, mental, or sensory impairment that restricts their ability to perform daily activities;
- Have a disability with a severity level of at least 20% or higher, as determined by a qualified medical professional; and
- Be a resident of the city or municipality where the application is being processed.
NOTE: There is no specific age range to qualify for a PWD ID. Both children and adults with disabilities may get one.
Requirements
When applying for a PWD ID, be sure to prepare:
- Valid government-issued ID or birth certificate;
- Barangay Certificate or utility bill as proof of residency;
- Medical Certificate from a licensed physician indicating your disability and its severity;
- 2 to 3 passport-sized photos with signatures or thumb marks at the back; and
- Duly accomplished PWD ID application form.
How to Get PWD ID
Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your PWD ID:
1. Go to the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO) in your locality and ask for a PWD ID application form. You may also inquire at your local Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), Office of the Mayor, or Office of the Barangay Chairperson.
2. Fill out the PWD ID form and submit this to the office, together with all the necessary documents.
3. Wait for your application to be verified and processed.
4. Once approved and processed, your PWD ID will be issued. The entire procedure could take just one hour or less. At the most, you card may be released within the same day.
NOTE: For Filipino soldiers with disabilities, you can apply for your PWD ID at the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) office.
PWD ID Online Application Form
Aside from getting the PWD ID application form at the C/MSWDO, PDAO, or Mayor’s Office, you can also get it online. Simply visit this link and download the form. This way, you can save some time!
You may also check out the registration form here – PWD ID Registration Form Download
Once you have downloaded the form, you can start entering the required details. These include your personal information, including: full name, date of birth, sex, civil status, type of disability, and cause of disability (inborn, acquired, etc.).
Moreover, you will need to provide your residence address and contact details, along with your highest educational attainment, occupation, and status of employment (employed, unemployed, self-employed, etc.).
After filling out the form, you can now print it out, attach your ID photos, and submit the form to the C/MSWDO or PDAO, together with all of the other required documents.
pwd id application registration form
Video: How to Get a PWD ID Card
To have a better idea on how to apply for a PWD ID, watch this video shared by the National Council on Disability Affairs (Government) Facebook page. The video presents the steps to acquiring a PWD ID in the city or municipality where the applicant resides. This is also where your Certificate of Disability from medical specialists can be submitted as proof of the disability.
Getting PWD ID Through Representative
In case you are bedridden or unable to go to the C/MSWDO or PDAO, you can send an authorized representative to apply for a PWD ID on your behalf. Simply add an authorization letter with your signature to the list of documents to be submitted; plus remind your authorized representative to bring his/her ID, too.
In some areas, the local DSWD Office may be willing to conduct a home visit for PWDs who are unable to leave their house. In any case, do not hesitate to ask your local DSWD Office regarding the possibility of a home visit.
How to Renew PWD ID Card
In accordance with the latest guidelines of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the PWD ID is valid for five (5) years. After this, the PWD must renew his/her ID. The procedure is pretty much the same as getting a new ID; you’ll need to go to the C/MSWDO or PDAO to apply for PWD ID card renewal.
Infographic
To give you an an overview on the PWD ID, here is an infographic shared by the National Council on Disability Affairs (Government) Facebook page:
Final Thoughts
We hope that the above guide has been helpful, especially to those who are planning to get a PWD ID. Thanks to this card, persons with disabilities can rest assured that they can avail of their benefits and privileges easily, without any problems.
Speaking of PWDs, we believe that it’s important to support them in any way that we can. One way is by purchasing their products and services. And so, here’s a list of stores offering products and services by PWDs, for your reference!