How To Apply For A PWD ID In The Philippines 2021

3 min read By eCompareMo on January 3, 2020

The government has a set of laws that address the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country. These privileges can be availed by presenting a special PWD identification card.

What is PWD ID

A PWD ID is a valid identification card issued to persons with disabilities. This card serves as a proof for availing of the benefits and privileges for PWDs. 

Getting a PWD ID is free and valid for three (3) years. Same documents are needed for renewal. However, the requirements should be updated and latest. 

Who can apply for PWD ID

According to the Republic Act 10754, PWDs “are those with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.” Below are the PWD ID qualifications:

• Physical incapacity (e.g. amputation, spinal injury, post-polio)
• Visual, speech, and hearing impairment (e.g. blindness, mute, deaf)
• Intellectual, psychosocial, and psychiatric disability (e.g. schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder)
• Learning disability

A person should manifest indications of a disability acknowledged by a medical professional through a clinical abstract or medical certificate.

PWD ID requirements

To be able to obtain a PWD card, the applicant must complete the following PWD requirements:

• Accomplished Philippine Registry Form for Persons with Disability (This form is available on local government offices, National Council on Disability Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Social Welfare and Development. You may also download the file or register online at the Department of Health’s Philippine Registry For Persons With Disability.)
• Barangay Clearance
• Two 2×2 ID picture for the application form, and one 1X1 ID picture for medicine booklet
• Medical certificate or clinical abstract from a physician 

How to apply for a PWD ID

Here are the steps on how to get a PWD ID:

1. Gather all the required documents. Ensure that you have the complete documents to have a faster approval.
2. If the applicant is unable to appear in person for the application, a family member may take over on behalf of the applicant. The representative must present an authorization letter signed by the PWD applicant.
3. After the verification of submitted documents, the forms will be forwarded to the health center near your municipality. The appointed officer will fill out a certification form and will input the submitted data to the Philippine Registry for PWD.
4. Then, the PWD applicant must submit the certificate of disability and approved application form to the nearest office of Social Welfare, NCDA, or DSWD for the actual issuance of ID. This typically takes only a few minutes to be issued.

PWD Benefits

Upon approval of PWD card application, PWDs are entitled to the following privileges: 

• 20% discount and VAT Exemption

     –   Persons with disabilities can enjoy 20% discount on lodging establishments, restaurants, prescribed medicines from hospitals and pharmacies, professional services on both private and public hospitals, public and private transportation by land, air and sea, and recreation centers. 

• 5% discount*

     –   Apart from the 20% discount, PWDs are also entitled to 5% discount on basic commodities, such as rice, bread, meat, fruits, vegetables, fresh and processed milk, sugar, and coffee, among others. 

• Educational assistance

     –   PWDs who wishes to pursue primary, secondary, tertiary, and post-tertiary can avail of the educational assistance in both public and private schools. 

• Government benefits

     –   Continuation of GSIS, SSS, and Pag-IBIG (if previously employed)

• Other benefits 

     –  Priority parking on establishments and express lane on queues can also be enjoyed by PWDs. 

Given the benefits that PWDs can enjoy, they can’t avail of double discounts. For example, a person with disability can avail of an establishment’s promo or the 20% discount, whichever is higher. Furthermore, if the PWD is also a senior citizen that is entitled to a 20% discount, he/she can only use either his/her senior citizen ID or PWD ID to avail the 20% discount. 

Caregivers of PWDs are also eligible to tax incentives in compliance with the National Internal Revenue Code’s provision.

*The total purchase per week should not be more than P1,300 to qualify for the 5% discount. 

According to the Official Gazette of the Philippines, “persons with disability shall be treated as dependents under Section 35(A) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and as such, individual taxpayers providing care for them shall be accorded the privileges granted by the Code insofar as having dependents under the same section are concerned.”

(This article was written on June 11, 2019, and updated on April 30, 2021.)