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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nat'l ID primary requirement to claim social pension, but seniors can also use other gov't IDs — DSWD

Nat'l ID primary requirement to claim social pension, but seniors can also use other gov't IDs — DSWD

Published Mar 23, 2026 02:01 pm
Courtesy of DSWD
Courtesy of DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday, March 23 clarified that indigent senior citizens may still use other government-issued identification cards (IDs) when claiming their social pension, even as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)-issued National ID remains the primary requirement.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the Department remains flexible in its implementation to ensure that no eligible senior citizen encounters difficulty in accessing benefits they rely on to buy medicines, nutritious food, and other necessities.
“Although the National ID is the primary requirement, our senior citizens may still use other valid government-issued IDs. What matters is that their identity is verified so they can continue receiving their social pension. We know how important the social pension is for buying medicines and food for our senior citizens,” Dumlao said in Filipino.
DSWD earlier announced that starting April 1, senior citizens will need to present their National ID as the primary valid ID to claim social pension payouts.
The agency said seniors who have yet to secure a National ID will not be denied benefits as long as they, or their representative, can present any valid government-issued ID.
Accepted secondary IDs include those issued by the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Other acceptable IDs include Voter’s ID, Driver’s License, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) ID, Postal ID, Tax Identification Number (TIN) ID, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ID, Social Security System Unified Multi-Purpose ID (SSS-UMID), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-card, solo parent ID, seaman’s book, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID, and other government-issued IDs with the holder’s full name, photo, and address.
DSWD said it continues to work closely with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to help social pension beneficiaries register for the National ID system.
“Our goal is to make access to various government services easier and faster for them,” Dumlao said.
The social pension program for indigent senior citizens is a key social protection initiative of the DSWD, providing financial assistance to elderly individuals who are frail, sickly, or without a regular source of income or family support, helping them meet daily subsistence and medical needs.
READ MORE: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/14/senior-citizens-pension-payouts-to-require-national-id-starting-april-1

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DSWD SOCIAL PENSION FOR INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS NATIONAL ID
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