Need to apply for a PWD ID card soon? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain one!
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What is a PWD card?
This ID card is used for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines in order to receive the benefits and discounts as mandated by the law. A PWD ID card is valid for three years and completely free of charge when applying for the first time! Subsequent renewals due to expiration, damages, or loss will require a minimal fee.
Which types of disabilities are eligible for a PWD ID card?
Filipinos with a permanent disability and medical conditions that are either visible or not, which interfere with their interactions in society, can apply for a PWD ID card. The Department of Health (DOH) considers the following types of disabilities as eligible to apply:
- Psychosocial disability – Includes bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, epilepsy, and other long-term and recurring mental or behavioral issues
- Disability resulting from a chronic illness – Includes orthopedic disability due to cancer, blindness due to diabetes, and other disabilities due to a chronic disease
- Learning disability – e.g. Dysgraphia, Dyslexia
- Visual disability – Simple poor eyesight doesn’t automatically qualify a person for a PWD ID unless the visual impairment can’t be corrected. Individuals with such a condition need to present a medical certificate from their ophthalmologist with a clearance of functional limitation due to poor eyesight.
- Orthopedic (Musculoskeletal), physical disability – Includes people with dwarfism and amputated hands or feet. Individuals with scoliosis may also apply for an ID.
- Mental disability (illness or disorder) – e.g. schizophrenia
- Intellectual disability – Slow progress in mental development
- Hearing disability – Deaf or hard of hearing
- Speech, language impairment – Includes developmental language disorder, language delay, or developmental dysphasia; communication disorder that adversely affects a person’s ability to talk, understand, read, and write; trouble producing certain sounds accurately.
- Multiple disabilities
How to apply for a PWD ID card
Listed below are the requirements:
- Two (2) recent 1×1 ID pictures with the names, and signatures or thumb marks at the back of the picture
- One (1) Valid ID
- Latest medical certificate or clinical abstract that confirms disability condition from licensed private or government clinic, or hospital-based medical professional
- A completed PWD Registration Form from any of the following:
- Office of the Mayor
- Office of the Barangay Captain
- National Council on Disability Affairs or its regional counterpart
- Department of Social Welfare and Development offices
- Participating organizations with Memorandum of Agreements with the DOH
- DOH Online Registration
Note: You must attach one 1×1 ID picture and your medical certificate in the application form.
After accomplishing your requirements, you can then submit them to the City or Municipal Mayor, Barangay Captain, Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of the city hall or municipal hall where you live, City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, or the City or Municipal Health Office or its satellite offices who will then verify your data, assign a PWD ID number, issue your card and its accompanying booklet, and submit your documents for data encoding.
Benefits of the PWD ID card
PWD ID holders are entitled to the following benefits:
- 20% discount and VAT exemption from the following:
- Hotel accommodations, restaurants, and recreation centers
- Admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other similar places of culture, leisure, and amusement
- Medicines in all drugstores
- Medical and dental services including diagnostic, laboratory, and professional fees
- Domestic air and sea travel fares
- Public railways, skyways, and bus fares
- Funeral and burial services for the death of a PWD
- Educational assistance through the provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies, and other incentives
- The same benefits and privileges that are given by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), and PAG-IBIG
- Special discounts for the purchase of basic commodities as determined by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agricultural (DA)
- Entitlement to use express lanes for persons with disability in all commercial and government establishments, and queueing priority
Certain cities may provide additional benefits to their PWD citizens. Just to name a few, some cities allow free movie admission, free parking, and free birthday cakes!
Remember, though, that the PWD ID card should only be availed of and used by those who truly have disabilities. Don’t abuse the system just so you can enjoy their benefits!
(ALSO READ: How to Apply for and Renew Your Philippine Passport: A Step-by-Step Guide)
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