How To Apply Senior Citizen ID In The Philippines: An Useful Guide
As a senior citizen living in the Philippines, you can receive many privileges and benefits. And in order to get these benefits and discounts, it is a must to have your senior citizen ID. If you are wondering how to apply senior citizen ID in the Philippines, don’t worry as it is a fast and easy process.
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Who can get a Senior Citizen ID?
You must be a senior citizen in order to get the ID card. The requirements to get Senior Citizen ID are:
- You must be 60 years old or over.
- You must be a Filipino citizen.
- You must be a resident of the municipality or the city where your applying for your Senior Citizen ID at least 6 months before you submit your application.
How To Get Senior Citizen ID
Before you head to the Office of the Senior Citizen’s Affiars, you need to make sure that you have the following documents:
- Your latest 1×1 photo.
- Photocopies of any of these documents:
- Driver’s License
- Comelec Voter’s ID
- Police Clearance
- NBI Clearance
- Postal ID
- Old residence certificate
- Any identification documents that can confirm your name, birth date, and current address.
How To Get A Senior Citizen ID
There are five steps that you need to follow.
Step 1: Head to the Senior Citizen’s Affairs Office in the municipality or the city where you live. The office is often in the city or municipal hall.
Step 2: Approach a person-in-charge or personnel to ask for the application form.
Step 3: Fill in the form accurately.
Step 4: Once you are done, submit the form as well as other required documents.
Step 5: Now you need to wait for the card to be released. This depends on your city or municipality but usually it will take no more than an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I used the senior citizen card issued in the province in Metro Manila?
Yes, the card can be used around the country.
2. I forget to bring my senior citizen card to a restaurant, can I still benefit from a 20% discount?
Yes, as long as you present any of the valid IDs including your passport, voter’s ID, driver’s license, Postal ID, PRC Card or SSS/GSIS ID.
3. How much do I have to pay to get a senior citizen ID card?
You don’t have to pay any fee. However, if you lose a card, you might have to pay a free in some municipalities and cities.
4. What to do if I lose my senior citizen ID card?
You can visit the OSCA again and get a replacement card. You need to submit these required documents
- 2 copies of Affidavit of Loss
- 2 copies of Barangay or Police Report
- Pay the replacement fee if needed.
Senior Citizen’s Discount and Benefits
Below, we give you some examples of the benefits and discounts that you get as a senior citizen in the Philippines.
Health or medical-related
20% off and VAT exemption when purchase:
- Generic and brand medicines and drugs;
- Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines;
- Vitamins and minerals supplements if they are prescribed by a physician to prevent or treat a disease, injury or illness;
- Medical supplies and equipment like hearing aids, eyeglasses, artificial bone replacements, etc.
- Medical devices for the recovery or monitoring of a specific disease;
- Medical and dental services in private facilities;
- Diagnostic laboratory tests in private facilities;
- Professional fees of seeing physicians in all medical facilities, private hospitals, home care facilities, and outpatient clinics;
- Professional fees of seeing licensed health workers for home health care services;
- Medical and dental services, professional fees of seeing physicians as well as other health professionals, and diagnostic and laboratory fees in pay sections of government-owned health facilities or hospitals.
Free for these services:
- Diagnostic and laboratory services if they are requested by a physician;
- Medical and dental services;
- Influenza virus and pneumococcal vaccinations at the DOH.
PhilHealth coverage.
Transportation
20% off and VAT exemption when purchase fare for:
- Domestic air and sea travel;
- Public uitility buses, taxis, jeepneys, and shuttle service;
- Public railways.
Senior citizens are exempt from paying passenger terminal fees in seaports and airports.
Utility
- 5% discount on the monthly bill of electricity or water
- 50% off on the monthly bill of electricity, water, and telephone at residential care institutions, DSWD-accredited senior citizens centers or group homes.
Taxation
Senior citizens are exempt from paying
- Value Added Tax.
- Individual income tax as long as the senior citizen is a minimum wage earner.
For a full version of the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010 of the Philippines, please check the DTI guidelines on senior citizen discount.
That is all you need to know on how to apply Senior Citizen ID. For more how-to articles, check out Techiestuffph.com.