Replacing a Lost 4Ps ID
A practical-legal guide for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the Philippines
1. What the 4Ps ID Is—and Why It Matters
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Official name | Household ID Card (sometimes called 4Ps ID) |
| Issuing authority | Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Regional/Provincial Program Management Offices |
| Core purpose | Serves as proof that the holder is the grantee (usually the mother) of a registered 4Ps household, allowing the bearer to: 1) claim conditional-cash-transfer (CCT) payouts at Land Bank or partner payout conduits, 2) access PhilHealth indigent enrolment, and 3) present evidence of low-income status for school-based or local-government benefits. |
| Legal basis | • Republic Act No. 11310 (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act, 2019) |
| • DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 12-Series-2019 (Implementing Rules and Regulations) | |
| • DSWD 4Ps Operations Manual (latest edition, 2023) |
Bottom-line: Without the card, a beneficiary can still receive grants if her identity can be verified against the payroll list with another valid government ID; however, a lost 4Ps ID frequently causes delays or outright non-release of cash grants in remote payout sites. Getting a replacement is therefore strongly advised.
2. Governing Rules on Loss, Replacement, and Fraud
| Topic | Key Provisions & Consequences |
|---|---|
| Loss or destruction | Not explicitly penalized, but the beneficiary must report the loss within 15 calendar days to the City/Municipal Link (C/ML) or Municipal Action Team (MAT). Unreported loss may trigger a household validation that can temporarily block payouts. |
| Misuse / falsification | RA 11310, sec. 18 penalizes any person who “knowingly misrepresents or falsifies 4Ps documents” with imprisonment of 6 months – 6 years and/or a fine up to ₱100,000. |
| Data privacy | The card bears personal data (name, full address, household ID number). Transfer or posting of card details on social media without consent can violate RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act). |
| Change of grantee | If the cardholder is deceased, incapacitated, or has abandoned the household, replacement must be coupled with a Change-of-Grantee Request (DSWD HUF Form 2-C) before a new ID can be printed. |
3. Documentary Requirements for Replacement
Affidavit of Loss
- Executed by the grantee; must be notarized OR certified by the Barangay Captain if notarization is impractical (per 4Ps Ops Manual, ID Replacement, para. 3.2).
Any one current photo ID of the grantee (e.g., PhilSys, voter’s ID, barangay ID).
Two (2) recent 1 × 1 or 2 × 2 photographs.
Completed Household Update Form (HUF Form 2-A), ticking the option “Lost ID—request replacement.”
Signed Authority to Deduct (only if the grantee opts to have the new ID laminated for a fee; otherwise, replacement is free).
Fee: DSWD does not charge for re-issuance per se. Lamination at the payout site or LGU usually costs ₱20–₱50, but this is voluntary.
4. Step-by-Step Procedure
| Step | Actor | What Happens | Usual Timeline* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beneficiary | Gather requirements and report loss to the C/ML or MAT office covering the barangay. | Day 0 |
| 2 | C/ML | Examine documents, verify identity against the 4Ps Beneficiary Data Management System (BDMS), and encode a “Lost ID: Pending Replacement” entry in the Beneficiary Update System (BUS). | Day 0–1 |
| 3 | Provincial/RPMO ID-Printing Unit | Upon BUS endorsement, prints the new Household ID Card on DSWD-supplied security stock, plastifies/laminates if requested. | Day 2–14 |
| 4 | C/ML | Notifies the beneficiary (SMS or barangay visit). | Day 15 |
| 5 | Beneficiary | Claims the card in person, signs the ID Release Logbook, and presents an alternate ID. | Day 15–30 |
*Actual days vary by distance to regional hub; replacements for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) can take up to six weeks.
5. Special Situations & Practical Tips
| Scenario | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Immediate payout coming up and the card is still unreplaced | Bring the Affidavit of Loss plus any valid ID. If still in the payroll, the payout team may allow release upon Identity Confirmation Form signed by the C/ML. |
| Indigenous Peoples (IP) household with no alternate government ID | Barangay Certification signed by the tribal chieftain is accepted in lieu of a photo ID. Photographs can be taken during the field visit. |
| Multiple losses (≥ 3 within 5 years) | Expect a Compliance Review to determine if negligence or fraud exists. Persistent loss without valid reason may be grounds for graduation or suspension. |
| Digital 4Ps ID pilot areas (e.g., NCR payout via e-wallet) | The C/ML can generate a QR-coded e-Household ID sent to the beneficiary’s registered mobile app while the physical card is in process. |
| Change of address simultaneous with loss | File both the Lost ID and Change of Address requests on the same HUF to avoid two separate verifications. |
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the 4Ps ID a government-issued ID that banks will accept for opening an account? Generally no. It is a program-specific card, not among the government-issued IDs under BSP-AML rules. Land Bank, however, accepts it for 4Ps transactional accounts only.
Can someone else claim my card for me? Only if they hold a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and present their own valid ID. Otherwise, personal appearance is mandatory.
What if my name is misspelled in the new ID? File a Biographical Correction (HUF Form 2-B) within 30 days; the corrected card is reprinted gratis.
Will I lose my benefits while waiting? No, provided you report the loss immediately and pass identity verification at payout. Missing two consecutive cash grants due to unverified identity may trigger suspension, so act quickly.
Is an affidavit really necessary? Yes. Under the Civil Code on proof of loss and DSWD internal control rules, an affidavit (or barangay certification where notarization is unavailable) establishes good faith and deters fraudulent multiple-ID claims.
7. Sample “Affidavit of Loss – 4Ps Household ID” (Extract)
I, Maria Santos, Filipino, of legal age, married, and residing at Brgy. San Jose, Alitagtag, Batangas, after having been duly sworn, depose and state:
- That I am the registered grantee of 4Ps Household No. 123456789;
- That on 10 May 2025, my Household ID Card was lost while commuting, despite diligent efforts to locate it;
- That I now request a replacement from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; IN WITNESS WHEREOF, …
(Have it notarized or certified at the barangay hall.)
8. Penalties & Liabilities to Remember
| Offense | Statutory Basis | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Making or using a fake 4Ps ID | RA 11310 §18(a) | 6 months – 6 years imprisonment; up to ₱100,000 fine |
| Selling or pawning the ID | DSWD MC 12-2019 §36 | Suspension for one payout (first offense) → Termination/Graduation (second) |
| Unauthorized disclosure of ID information | RA 10173 §25 | 1 year – 3 years imprisonment; ₱500,000 – ₱2 million fine |
9. Key Take-Aways for Beneficiaries
- Report quickly, replace early. Waiting until the next payout day to declare a lost card often leads to missed grants.
- Keep back-up IDs. A PhilSys card, voter’s ID, or barangay certificate speeds up verification.
- Safeguard personal data. Never post your 4Ps ID on social media—identity thieves exploit the barcode/HHID number.
- Know your rights. Re-issuance is free (lamination optional). You cannot be charged “processing fees” by any DSWD staff or local official.
- Avoid complacency. Three or more “lost” incidents may trigger a fraud audit and possible disqualification.
10. Final Word
The 4Ps ID may look like a simple plastic card, but it is the legal gateway connecting a poor household to billions of pesos in State-funded social protection. Losing it is not a crime, yet the longer it remains unreplaced, the greater the risk of payout interruption, identity theft, or even suspension from the program. By following the clear, rights-based procedure set out above—anchored on RA 11310, DSWD Operations Manuals, and related issuances—every beneficiary can secure a new card swiftly and for free, ensuring continued, unhampered access to the social safety net promised by law.