The Solo Parent Food Package and Welfare Assistance Program is a government initiative designed to provide food, financial aid, and basic necessities to indigent solo parents facing economic challenges. Rooted in the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (RA 11861), the program extends additional support such as medical supplements, parenting sessions, and social services to eligible beneficiaries, including those affected by violence, loss of a partner, or abandonment. Its goal is to help alleviate the burden of raising children alone, especially for those in the informal economy or earning below ₱250,000 annually. Understanding this program is important for solo parents to access the support they legally deserve and to improve their family’s well-being through government-assisted interventions.
Whether you’re a single mom, widower, or someone raising a child alone as a solo parent in the Philippines and you are struggling to make ends meet, know that programs like the Solo Parent Food Package and Welfare Assistance implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government unit (LGU), offers food, financial assistance, and other benefits to qualified solo parents. This guide explains how to apply, what benefits you may receive, and who qualifies under the program.
Program Overview
The Solo Parent Food Package and Welfare Assistance is a program under the DSWD and LGU aimed at helping indigent solo parents. Depending on your situation and the results of a social worker’s assessment, you may be eligible to receive:
- Financial assistance
- Food packs, rice, and groceries
- Milk and diapers
- Medicines and vitamins
- Access to support services like:
- Parent effectiveness sessions
- Family planning
- Life skills training
- Counseling
Thanks to the amended RA 11861, solo parents are also now entitled to more benefits beyond food and cash aid. Here are more services and support available:
- Discounts and VAT Exemption: Solo parents earning less than ₱250,000 annually are entitled to a:
- 10% discount and VAT exemption on:
- Baby’s milk
- Sanitary diapers
- Vitamins and supplements
- Prescribed medicines and vaccines for children until they turn 6 years old
This benefit is available from birth until your child turns six, helping you save on basic child-rearing needs.
- Protection and Social Services: Solo parents facing abuse, abandonment, or financial hardship may access:
- Temporary shelters
- Medical care
- Legal assistance
- Crisis intervention
- Spiritual support and personal development programs
These services can be requested through DSWD or LGU-based women’s and solo parent desks.
- Social Safety Assistance During Emergencies: In times of calamities, pandemics, or natural disasters, solo parents and their children are entitled to:
- Emergency food packages
- Medicines
- Temporary shelter
- Financial aid for home repairs
This assistance is drawn from the LGU’s calamity fund and is implemented under the guidelines of DSWD.
- Child Minding Centers and Breastfeeding Support: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) encourage workplaces to:
- Establish child-minding centers to assist solo parents with young children
- Support breastfeeding in the workplace, especially for solo working mothers
Who Can Apply?
You may qualify for this welfare and financial assistance if you are a solo parent falling under any of the following categories:
- Adolescents aged 18–20 years old who are solo parents
- Victims of violence against women and children
- Former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
- Widows or widowers from the informal economy (e.g., vendors, street sweepers)
- Solo parents with a child or partner who has a disability
- Those whose spouse or partner has been imprisoned for over a year
- Solo parents who became such due to sexual abuse or rape
With the enactment of RA 11861, the law now recognizes more people as solo parents. That being said, you may now be considered a solo parent if you are:
- Raising children without regular support from a co-parent
- A single or unmarried parent
- A guardian, foster, or adoptive parent with sole care of a child
- A relative (up to the 4th degree) caring for a child whose parents are absent for at least six months
- A spouse or family member of a low-skilled OFW who’s been away for 12 consecutive months
Note: Eligibility is determined through an interview and assessment conducted by a licensed social worker at your local Social Welfare Office.
Step-by-Step Application Procedures
To apply, these are the steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Get Your Solo Parent ID
Before applying for the food and welfare assistance, you must first secure a Solo Parent ID from your LGU. This ID gives you access to solo parent benefits provided under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (RA 11861).
Requirements for the Solo Parent ID:
- Barangay certificate proving solo parent status
- Birth certificate/s of your child or children
- Proof of income (e.g., payslip, Certificate of Indigency)
- Any applicable supporting documents:
- Death certificate of spouse (if widowed)
- Declaration of annulment
- Certificate of detention (if spouse is in prison
- Medical certificate (for disabled partner or child)
- Valid ID with photo and signature
- Recent 2×2 photo
- Completed application form
Note: You can apply at the Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO) or your barangay hall. Some LGUs now offer online applications, so check your LGU’s website.
Step 2: Apply for the Food Package and Welfare Assistance
Once you have your Solo Parent ID, you can proceed with the application for food and welfare assistance. Here’s how:
- Visit the Solo Parent Office at your LGU’s Social Services Development Department (SSDD).
- Submit the following:
- Original Barangay Certificate of Indigency (must specify it’s for welfare assistance)
- Solo Parent ID (original and photocopy)
- Copy of your Solo Parent Certificate (PDF or printed)
- Undergo an interview and assessment by a social worker.
- If you qualify, the office will notify you through your provided contact details (email, phone, or SMS).
- After six months, you’ll go through another re-evaluation to determine if continued assistance is needed.
Final Tips When Applying
For your reference, we listed some tips you might want to remember to ensure that the application procedure will be completed smoothly:
- Double-check your LGU’s requirements, as some cities may have specific document requests or procedures.
- Keep copies of all your submitted documents for your records.
- Follow up regularly if you don’t receive updates within the expected timeframe.
- Read up on RA 11861 to fully understand your rights and the benefits available to you.
Video: What are the Solo Parent Benefits
The Solo Parent Food Package and Welfare Assistance is an important safety net for single mothers, fathers, and guardians facing financial struggles in the Philippines. From food support to financial aid and social services, this program can provide meaningful relief. If you meet the qualifications, this assistance can make a significant difference in your and your child’s quality of life. To learn more about available solo parent benefits, watch this video below:
@bhherrera PANOORIN: Bakit nga ba hanggang ngayon marami pa rin ang hindi nakaka alam ng Solo Parent Benefits at marami pa rin ang hindi nakaka tanggap nito. Isa-isahin natin #SoloParents #BagongHenerasyon #SolonNgSoloista #congBH #Benefits ♬ The Funk Beat – Cassiopeia
For more information or for other concerns, you may also visit your local DSWD office or LGU Social Welfare Department.