Being a solo parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences you can have. It can be difficult to juggle everything on your own, but it’s also very rewarding to know that you’re doing it all by yourself. That being said, do you know that there is a law that provides benefits and privileges to solo parents?
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RA 8972 (Solo Parent Act of 2000)
The Solo Parent Act of 2000 or Republic Act No. 8972 was signed into law on November 7, 2000. It was enacted to provide a comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children.
What makes you qualified?
You will be qualified if you belong to these categories:
If you keep and raises your child as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity.
You are left alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to:
- Death of your spouse.
- Your spouse is being detained because of a crime.
- Physical and/or mental incapacity of a spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner.
- Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year. declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church.
If you are not married and prefer to keep and rear your child instead of having others care for them.
If you provide parental care and support to a child even if it is not your own.
Any family member who assumes the responsibility of the head of the family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.
What are the benefits and Privileges of being a Solo Parent?
Only solo parents whose income in the place of domicile falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority will be eligible to these benefits and is subject to the assessment of the DSWD.
A comprehensive package of programs and services will be given to a single parent. It includes livelihood, self-employment, and skills development. You will also have employment-related benefits.
Department of Health will also develop a comprehensive health care program for the solo parent and his/her children.
Solo parents shall be given allocation in housing projects and shall be provided with liberal terms of payment on said government low-cost housing projects in accordance with housing law provisions prioritizing applicants below the poverty line as declared by the NEDA.
Scholarship programs and Nonformal education programs shall be given as well for qualified solo parents and their children. It will be the responsibility of DECS, CHED, and TESDA.
Parental Leave. – On top of the leave privileges under existing laws, parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days every year shall be granted to any solo parent employee who has rendered service of at least one (1) year.
A solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy only such limited benefits like flexible work schedule, parental leave and others to be determined by the DSWD.
How to avail of the Benefits?
To be able to avail of the benefits of a Solo Parent, you should get a solo-parent Identification Card ID from the city or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
Requirements for a Solo Parent ID
The applicants for the solo parent ID must bring the following documents to the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office:
- Barangay certification certifying Solo Parent’s residency in the barangay for the last six months
- Certificates e.g., birth certificates of children, death certificate of spouse and other appropriate documentary support
- Income tax return or any document that will establish the income level of the solo parent
2. The social worker will receive and ensure that all documents are complete and register the applications with an appropriate case number in the log-book Registry of Solo Parents.
The ID will be issued after 30 days of filing. The validity of the ID is one year and is renewable.
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