Let’s keep it simple and informative, here’s a guide for our senior citizens to get their ID which they can use for various discounts on buying and availing services! Not to mention, skipping the long lines.
Senior citizens enjoy many benefits that make their lives easier. They can use their IDs to get discounts in stores and restaurants. They also enjoy free medical care and prescription drugs. Seniors also benefit from the government’s efforts to improve living conditions for older people.
Senior Citizens Act
This law aims to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building by encouraging venues for the elderly to give back to their community. It boosts government assistance to those who care for the elderly. And it mandates the creation of an office for senior citizen affairs in every city and municipality to help those in need.These benefits were extended under Republic Acts 9257 and 9994. Under these acts, senior citizens get more than what was promised before. They now receive free education, free transportation, free utilities, and even free healthcare. Their social security pensions also increase.
Senior Citizen Benefits
Being a Filipino senior citizen entitled you to the following advantages. You get 20% discount on selected goods and services. You get 5% discount on basic and prime commodities and utilities bills. You are exempt from individual income tax (seniors who are minimum wage earners)
You get mandatory Philhealth coverage. You get free medical and dental services in public hospitals. You get employment assistance from the government for elders who are able and willing for work.Students who want to study abroad should apply for scholarships. Those who need financial aid should ask for help from the school.
Seniors who qualify for free tuition should get some kind of help from the government.Social safety nets are important because people need them when they face economic shocks and calamities, like natural disasters and wars. Centenarians should be given extra benefits because they deserve it.
Local government officials may also give some extra advantages to their seniors.Senior citizens should be given free vaccines against flu and pneumonia. Their monthly stipend should be increased to Php1,000 per month. They should be given free health checkups and treatment, and their medical bills should be covered by the government.
Benefit Availment for Seniors
The hospital must have an HCI portal installed. The patient needs to present his/her ID and age. The hospital will print out a PhilHealth benefit eligibility form. A PBEF that indicates that the patient is eligible for benefits. This PBEF serves as a basis for automatic deductions. If the hospital does not have an HCI portal, then the patient must attach this document to his/her claim forms. A duly accomplished PhilHealth Member registration form (PMRF). An acceptable proof of status as senior citizen, including but without limiting to the Senior Citizens’ identification card.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Must be 60 years old
- A resident in the City for at least 6 months
What are the requirements?
- Duly accomplished OSCA application form. Download it here
- 1″ x 1″ ID photograph (must be recent)
- Photocopy of any of the following:
- Voter’s ID (Comelec)
- Driver’s License
- NBI Clearance
- Police Clearance
- Old Residence Certificate
- Postal ID
- Any combination of identification documents confirming the applicant’s name, date of birth, and present address.
What are the requirements to apply for a replacement of a lost Senior Citizen’s ID Card?
- Submit two (2) copies of an Affidavit of Loss
- Submit two (2) copies of a Police or Barangay Report, and
- Pay an ID replacement fee of one hundred pesos (P100.00)
