How to get solo parent leave: the 7 days, and the solo parent ID

Up to 7 working days of paid leave a year after 6 months on the job: who counts as a solo parent under RA 11861, and how to get your solo parent ID.

7 min read. Updated . By Catalyst Outsourcing.

If you're raising a child on your own and you've worked at least six months, the law gives you up to seven working days of paid parental leave every year, on top of your other leave. Republic Act No. 11861, the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, set those rules in 2022, and you need a Solo Parent ID to use them. Here's who qualifies, how to take the leave and how to get the ID, from the law, its revised rules and DOLE's handbook, read on 8 October 2026.

This guide explains the law for employees in the Philippines. It's general information and isn't legal advice. If you have a dispute with your employer, you can call DOLE Hotline 1349.

How many days of solo parent leave you get

Section 8 of the Solo Parents' Welfare Act, as amended by RA 11861, grants "a forfeitable and noncumulative parental leave of not more than seven (7) working days with pay every year" to "any solo parent employee, regardless of employment status, who has rendered service of at least six (6) months". DOLE's handbook says RA 11861 took effect on 15 July 2022.

Solo mothers also get 15 more days of maternity leave with full pay. Our maternity leave guide explains them.

Who legally counts as a solo parent

Section 4 of the law lists these:

The children who count are those living with you and depending on you who are unmarried, unemployed and 22 or younger, or older if a disability means they can't fully take care of themselves, DOLE's handbook says.

Some help from the other parent doesn't end your status. The law says you stay a solo parent if the other parent gives "occasional assistance and/or seasonal gifts" that don't meet the legal requirement of support under the Family Code.

How to take your solo parent leave at work

DOLE's handbook lists three conditions:

  1. You've worked at least six months, "whether continuous or broken".
  2. You've told your employer you're taking it "within a reasonable time".
  3. You've shown a valid Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC).

The revised rules of 2022 go further: they say "a valid SPIC is the only requirement to avail of parental leave by qualified solo parents". They also give a solo parent kasambahay the same seven days after six months with the same employer.

On our reading, this is an employee rule: the handbook says the leave "applies to all employees who belong to the following categories of solo parents". If you freelance or work as an independent contractor, check what your contract says about leave.

How to apply for a solo parent ID

Under Section 19 of the law, you submit "authenticated or certified true copies" of your documents to the Solo Parent Office (SPO) of your province or city, or the Solo Parent Division (SPD) of your municipality, where you live. DOLE's handbook points you to your city or municipal social welfare and development office.

  1. Find your category in the list above. Each one has its own documents.
  2. Get certified true copies. Almost every category asks for your child's birth certificate and a sworn affidavit that you're not living with a partner or co-parent and have sole parental care and support.
  3. Add the papers for your category, like your spouse's death certificate, a barangay official's affidavit that you live in the barangay, or proof of 12 months' work abroad for an OFW's family.
  4. Submit them where you live. The law says the office issues the SPIC "within seven (7) working days from receipt of complete documents".
  5. Renew it every year. The law says "The SPIC and booklet are valid for one (1) year", and some papers, like the sworn affidavit, go in again each year.

The revised rules say your photo for the SPIC is taken at the city or municipal social welfare and development office when you apply or renew, so plan to go in person. Renewal depends on "the assessment and evaluation of the solo parent by the social worker", and an SPIC you don't renew "on or before the end of the year of its issuance" expires one year after it was issued.

The law punishes anyone who lies about their status or fakes a document to get these privileges, with a fine, jail time or both.

When you stop being a solo parent under the law

Only a solo parent "exercising sole parental care and support of the child or children" can claim the leave, the law says. DOLE's handbook adds that a solo parent who "ceases to be such by reason of change of status and circumstances" can no longer use it.

Not being married to your child's other parent doesn't settle it either. The handbook says that alone "does not automatically entitle either individual" if the facts show parental care and support are shared.

Next

New baby on the way? See maternity leave and paternity leave. You may also have five days of service incentive leave each year. Looking for work you can do from home? Browse remote jobs. It's free to apply.

Questions

How many days is solo parent leave?

Up to seven working days with pay every year, once you've worked at least six months. Unused days don't carry over.

Do I need a solo parent ID to take the leave?

Yes. DOLE's handbook lists a valid Solo Parent Identification Card as one of the conditions, and the revised rules call it "the only requirement" for qualified solo parents.

How long is a solo parent ID valid?

One year. The law says the SPIC and booklet are valid for one year, so you renew it every year.

Can solo parent leave be converted to cash?

Not unless you and your employer agreed to it beforehand, DOLE's handbook says.

Am I still a solo parent if my ex sends money sometimes?

The law says you don't lose your status if the other parent gives occasional assistance or seasonal gifts that don't meet the legal requirement of support under the Family Code.

Sources

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