(Picture by Loida Morales Perez)
PhilHealth is currently establishing guidelines for the implementation of free health insurance for single parents.
In addition to monthly financial assistance for solo parents earning minimum wage or less, they also receive a 10% discount and are exempt from the 12% value-added tax on certain essential purchases.
PhilHealth coverage is automatically granted to single parents, whether employed or not, as stipulated by the law.
Based on the revised Republic Act 11861 or Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act enacted in 2022, the age limit for dependents of single parents who can still benefit from their parents' support has been raised from 18 to 22 years old.
Solo parents purchasing infant milk, diapers, and doctor-prescribed medicines for their children aged six or younger can enjoy a 10% discount and VAT exemption.
Solo parents can also take a 7-day paid leave of absence from work, regardless of their employment status, and are prioritized for their employers' telecommuting programs, as based on the Telecommuting Act of 2018.
Qualified as single parents are those with physically and mentally disabled spouses as certified by a doctor, those separated from their spouses for six months and are the sole support of their children, those whose marriage has been annulled and they are the sole caregivers of their offspring, those abandoned by their spouses for six months, and those with spouses incarcerated due to criminal charges.
Also categorized as single parents are those who have lost a spouse, unmarried individuals, or victims of rape who have given birth to their children.
Spouses of overseas Filipino workers who have been away for 12 months are also included.
Grandparents or other family members or qualified custodians who are sole caregivers of children are also considered single parents.
