26/01/2021
Are you a SOLO PARENT? Know your rights
Do you know that there are benefits to single parents like the following:
1) LEAVE CREDITS,
2) FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE, and
3) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE for their children for qualified SOLO PARENTS.
Being a SOLO PARENT or single parent is provided with benefits and privileges such as solo parent leave, housing and educational benefits as assistance to them according to REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972 otherwise known as SOLO PARENT WELFARE ACT OF 2000.
Currently, there are stand-alone solo parents in their families because of marital separation, death of a partner, and poverty. As a result, our lawmakers enacted a law to help "solo parents".
How does one go about the method of getting benefits as a single parent or solo parent?
The Solo Parent Act of 2000 or Republic Act No. 8972 or the Single Parent Law provides benefits and privileges to solo parents or people who are the parents of their children or relatives.
According to Section 3 (a) of R.A. 8972, a "solo parent" is a person who has been left with the child's responsibility or care under any of the following categories:
QUALIFICATIONS:
A solo parent, as defined by RA 8972 is:
A woman who gives birth as a result of r**e and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender, provided that mother keeps and raises the child.
Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to the following circumstances:
a. Due to death of spouse.
b. Spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year.
c. Physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner.
d. Legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1) year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children.
e. Declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children.
Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution.
Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children.
Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.
CRITERIA FOR SUPPORT
Any solo parent whose income falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance. A solo parent can directly inquire from the following agencies to avail of their services:
Health Services (DOH)
Educational Services (CHED, TESDA)
Housing (NHA)
Parental Leave (Employer, DOLE, CSC) Note: A solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy only such limited benefits as flexible work schedule, parental leave and others to be determined by the DSWD.
nder Section 10, Article IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 8297, the benefits and privileges of a solo parent can be obtained only if there is a Solo Parent Identification Card.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. 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 receives and ensures that all documents are complete and registers the applications with an appropriate case number in the log-book Registry of Solo Parents.
Note: The ID will be issued after 30 days from filing. The validity of the ID is one year and is renewable.
