How to Get a PWD ID in the Philippines 2023

The government recognizes the importance of caring for people with disabilities (PWDs) and has developed a special program to support PWDs in society. PWDs are given social protection for them to enjoy equal rights with the rest of the citizenry. These special privileges allow them to participate in a regular way of life which supports their well-being. It is the aim of the government to provide PWDs of all ages with an adequate quality of life and a basic level of income to reduce their level of poverty and vulnerabilities.

Under the Magna Carta (1) for Persons with Disability, government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are mandated to provide support, assistance, and services to persons with disabilities. This includes the provision of the PWD ID and the corresponding benefits and privileges that come with it. The LGUs are tasked with establishing Persons with Disability Affairs Offices (PDAO) or similar bodies to oversee the implementation of the law within their jurisdiction.

How to get a PWD ID is an easy process as the PWD requirements are minimal. In this article, you will learn apply for a PWD ID with the PWD ID requirements to get and enjoy the privileges given to you.

What is PWD ID Philippines

The PWD ID is the mandatory identification card given for persons with disabilities in the Philippines. It is issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office or the city or municipal Social Welfare and Development Office where the PWD resides.

PWD ID stands for Person with Disability Identification Card. It is a form of identification issued to individuals with disabilities in the Philippines. The PWD ID serves as proof of disability and provides certain privileges and benefits to the cardholder, such as discounts on goods, services, and transportation, as mandated by the law.

Is the PWD ID recognized as a valid form of identification?

Yes, it’s accepted as a valid ID in most government and private transactions.

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What are PWD Requirements in Philippines

What are the PWD qualification Philippines? Any Filipino of all ages suffering from a permanent disability qualified to apply for a PWD ID.

According to Republic Act 10754 (2), persons with disability are those who have physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that get in the way with their interactions with other people. These impairments obstruct their ability to have quality participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Generally, the following criteria are considered:

• The applicant must be a Filipino citizen.
• The individual should have a permanent physical, intellectual, mental, or sensory impairment that significantly restricts their ability to perform activities of daily living.
• The disability should be assessed to have a severity level of at least 20% or higher, as determined by a qualified physician or medical professional.
• A medical certificate or assessment from a licensed physician or government hospital should be provided as proof of disability.
• The applicant should be a resident of the city or municipality where the PWD ID application is being processed.
• There is no specific age requirement to qualify for a PWD ID; it is open to both children and adults with disabilities.

The PDAO or the designated office handles the assessment, evaluation, and verification of disability claims, as well as the issuance of the PWD ID. They are responsible for determining the eligibility of applicants based on the PWD qualifications outlined in the law and the accompanying guidelines issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)(7).

PWD List of Disabilities in the Philippines

People with disabilities in the Philippines are divided into two main groups:

1. Apparent Disabilities: These are kinds of disabilities that can be seen by the obvious presence of physical impairment and impaired mobility or function such as being totally blind, missing limbs, limping, and the like.
2. Non-Apparent Disabilities: These are disabilities that are not manifested physically such as deaf/hard of hearing, intellectual disability, learning disability, mental disability, psychosocial disability, non-apparent visual disability, non apparent speech and language impairment, non-apparent cancer, and non apparent rare disease. This usually requires a medical confirmation of the disability.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) (3) recognizes the following disabilities as eligible for a PWD ID:

Can cancer patients avail of a PWD ID?

Cancer patients, persons living with cancer, and cancer survivors are considered PWD by virtue of Republic Act 11215 (4), the “National Integrated Cancer Control Act”. With this, they can avail of a PWD ID.

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How to Get PWD ID Card: Steps

To apply for a Person with Disability Identification Card (PWD ID) in the Philippines, you typically need to follow these steps:

1. Prepare the required documents for the application process. These typically include:

• Proof of identity (e.g., valid government-issued ID or birth certificate)
• Proof of residency (e.g., barangay certificate or utility bill)
• Medical certificate or assessment from a licensed physician or government hospital indicating your disability and its severity
• 2 to 3 recent passport-size photo with signatures or thumb marks at the back of the picture
• Completed PWD ID application form (available from authorized sources such as the National Council on Disability Affairs (6), Department of Social Welfare and Development, or the Department of Health website).

2. File Your PWD ID Application

Accomplish the PWD Form. You can get your application forms from

• Office of the Mayor
• Office of the Barangay Captain
• National Council on Disability Affairs NCDA or its national counterpart
• DSWD offices, and participating organizations with Memorandum of Agreements with the DOH.

Fill out the application form accurately, attach the required documents like medical certificate and proof of identity

How to Apply PWD ID online?

As an alternative, you have the option to complete the Online Application Form available on the Department of Health Philippine Registry (5) for Persons with Disability.

Fill in your personal details, including information about your disability type, cause, educational background, employment status, address, and contact information. Additionally, you will need to provide your blood type, valid government identification numbers, and the names of your parents or guardians.

After completing the form, print it out and attach your ID photos. The submitted information and accompanying documents will undergo a thorough verification process. Once your medical condition or disability is confirmed, you will be assigned a unique PWD ID number.

3. Visit the PDAO During their Working Hours

Locate the nearest Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or equivalent  office responsible for processing PWD ID applications in your city or municipality. Submit your completed application form along with the supporting documents to the PDAO. The staff will review your application and documents for completeness and accuracy.  The card is usually issued in less than an hour or the same day of filing.

The PDAO may conduct an assessment or evaluation to verify your disability and determine the severity level. This may involve a review of your medical documents or a physical examination, if necessary.

Once your application is approved, the PWD ID will be processed and issued. The processing time may vary depending on the LGU, visit the PDAO again to claim your PWD ID once it is ready. You may be required to present your original documents for verification purposes.

How to Get PWD ID Online

Full online PWD ID registration is not widely available in the Philippines. The application process for the Person with Disability Identification Card (PWD ID) typically involved visiting the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the designated office responsible for processing PWD ID applications in person.

All you can do online is download the form from the website https://doh.gov.ph/philippine-registry-for-person-and-disability  and fill in the necessary data to save your time.

Enter accurately and completely the required PWD registration data. Print the accomplished form. Affix one ID picture on the accomplished form, and staple the other picture with the PWD-RF. Attach copy of the document to confirm the medical or disability condition with the PWD-RF. Submit online the accomplished form with attached documents to the City or Municipal office. 

What options are available for a bedridden PWD who is unable to visit the Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Office?

• The bedridden PWD can designate a trusted family member or caregiver as an authorized representative to handle the application on their behalf. The representative can visit the Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Office, provide the necessary documentation, and complete the application process.
• Some Social Welfare Development Offices may conduct home visits for PWDs who are unable to visit the office due to their condition. Contact the local office and inquire about the possibility of a home visit. They may provide assistance and guidance on how to proceed with the application process.

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How Long is the Validity of the PWD ID Card

Based on the guidelines under the National Council on Disability Affairs, PWDs are required to renew their PWD IDs every five years.

How Can You Renew Your PWD ID Card

Renewal of a PWD card may be done in-person or online. For in-person renewals, the applicant has to approach the National Council on Disability Affairs. The fee for this Renew Person with Disability (PWD) ID is free of cost. This entire process can be completed within 15- 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

To renew a PWD ID online, applications must be done through https://srs.doh.gov.ph/servicerequest. However, ID cards must be claimed in the office within 15 to 30 days.

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What Are the PWD Benefits in the Philippines

In the Philippines, having a Person with Disability Identification Card (PWD ID) entitles individuals with disabilities to various benefits and privileges. A discount list for PWD’s is enumerated below

👉 20% Discount and Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption

PWD discount and VAT exemption applies to the following categories: food, drinks, and other consumable items, medicines, and medicinal supplies based on DOH guidelines, medical and dental services, including professional fees, and laboratory fees in all private healthcare facilities, fares for domestic air and sea travel, fares for land transportation, funeral and burial services, services in hotels, restaurants, and recreation centers, and admission fees in theaters, cinemas, and concert halls.

👉 Five percent (5%) Special Discount on Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities

Under the Republic Act No. 10754, individuals with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines are entitled to a 5% special discount on the purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities. These include essential goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat, fish, cooking oil, sugar, and other similar items.

In order to qualify for the 5% discount, the total purchase of basic and prime commodities should not exceed ₱1,300 per week. This means that PWDs can avail of the discount on their purchases as long as the cumulative amount spent on eligible goods within a week does not surpass ₱1,300.

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👉 Mandatory Coverage Under SSS/GSIS, National health insurance, and Pag-IBIG

There is automatic coverage of all PWDs under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the National Insurance Corporation. Premium contributions will be paid by the government but the premium contribution of a PWD member in the formal economy shall be shared equally between the employer and the national government. The GSIS provides benefits based on the 3 kinds of disability determined by GSIS based on established medical standards which are: permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and temporary total disability.

Pag-IBIG members who become permanently and totally disabled are entitled to the monthly income benefits for life equivalent to the basic monthly pension (BMP) effective from the date of disability.

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👉 Educational Assistance

Submit your application to the nearest DSWD office. The application must be accompanied by a medical certificate confirming the applicant’s disability and proof of income.

👉 Employment assistance

PWDs are entitled to employment assistance, including job placement services, skills training, and reasonable workplace accommodations to enable their full participation in the workforce.

👉 Express Lanes for PWDs

Just like senior citizens, PWDs have a special lane in public establishments such as groceries and banks. Within this, PWDs do not have to wait in long lines just to make a purchase or make payments.

👉 Priority privileges

PWDs have priority access and privileges in public establishments, facilities, and services, such as priority lanes in banks, government offices, and establishments.

👉 City-Specific PWD ID Benefits

Aside from the regular benefits given, local governments have additional benefits given to PWDs, this may be in the form of cash, rice, or other necessities.

Special parking privileges: PWDs are granted special parking privileges, allowing them to use designated parking spaces near establishments for their convenience and accessibility.

To avail of the PWDs benefits in the Philippines, you must present your PWD ID at all times. In the absence of this ID, those with an apparent disability may present another ID to get PWD ID benefits.

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Final Thoughts

The PWD ID (Persons with Disabilities Identification Card) is of significant importance in the Philippines. Among the key reasons why the PWD ID holds significance is it is an official document that proves disability, it enables access to benefits and privileges, and makes it easier for facilities and services to be more accessible.