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The PWD ID is the standard identification card for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines. It’s issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office or the city/municipal Social Welfare and Development Office where the cardholder lives. This ID card can be used to avail of PWD discounts and other benefits as mandated by the law.

The validity spans five years, as indicated in Administrative Order No. 001, Series of 2021, from the National Council on Disability Affairs.

FEES

The initial issuance of the PWD ID is free of charge. However, a nominal fee is applicable for renewing the PWD ID in cases of expiration, damage, or loss of the card.

REQUIREMENTS

Any Filipino who has a permanent disability is eligible to apply for a PWD ID. Republic Act 10754 defines persons with disabilities as individuals with “long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments” that hinder their participation in society.

The Department of Health (DOH) recognizes the following categories of disabilities as eligible for a PWD ID:

1. Psychosocial disability – This encompasses conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and other enduring and recurrent mental or behavioral challenges.
2. Disability resulting from a chronic illness – This includes orthopedic disabilities caused by conditions like cancer, blindness resulting from diabetes, and other disabilities arising from chronic diseases.
3. Learning disability – This category encompasses issues that impede the learning of fundamental skills like math, reading, and writing.
4. Visual disability – Ordinary poor eyesight doesn’t automatically qualify for a PWD ID unless the visual impairment cannot be corrected. Individuals with such conditions are required to provide a medical certificate from an ophthalmologist, indicating functional limitations due to poor eyesight.
5. Orthopedic (Musculoskeletal) disability – This covers individuals with dwarfism, amputated hands or feet, and those with scoliosis may also apply for a PWD ID.
6. Mental/Intellectual disability
7. Hearing disability
8. Speech impairment
9. Multiple disabilities

PROCEDURE

1. Get ready with the necessary PWD ID documents.
2. Fill out the PWD ID application form, which can be obtained from any of the following sources:
   • National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) or its regional offices
   • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offices
   • Participating organizations with memorandums of agreement with the DOH
   • Office of the Mayor
   • Office of the Barangay Captain
   • Download the PWD ID application form from the DOH website
   • Utilize the DOH Online Registration System
3. You will need two recent 1×1 ID photos, with your name and signature or thumbprints on the back. Note that certain city/municipal halls may request two 2×2 ID pictures instead.
4. You can present either a Barangay clearance, a voter’s ID, or any currently valid government-issued ID.
5. Provide the most recent school assessment, medical certificate, or disability certificate confirming your disability status, issued by a licensed private or government clinic or a medical professional based in a hospital.
6. Submit these documents to the relevant office from the list below:
   • Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) at the city hall or municipal hall in your place of residence.
   • City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
   • City or Municipal Health Office or their satellite offices.
   • Office of the Mayor.
   • Office of the Barangay Captain.
   • In urgent cases, you can also approach the NCDA office.
7. The subsequent step involves the input of your personal details. In case you have sensitive medical information, a designated officer will conduct a confidential interview with you.
8. Claim your PWD ID card along with the accompanying purchase booklet, which you will need whenever you wish to access PWD benefits.