How to Get Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Medical Assistance Must Know – Steps and Requirements

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is usually heard not only every time someone wins the lottery but also every time a Filipino needed a medical assistance and they have no means to pay for it.

This is a typical story of Filipinos: a family member gets sick and there is no means to pay for the medical expenses. Families get sunk into debts and yet it is still not enough. While many knows that PCSO offers aids and assistance in these kinds of situations, not all of them knows how to do process to get it.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on how to get PCSO assistance answered by PCSO General Manager, Atty. Joy Roxas.

Q: Who can avail of the assistance?

A: Anybody can get help from PCSO regardless of their social status. Though the indigent is usually the priority, it doesn’t matter whether the person seeking assistance was from a poor or a well off family. Even a rich family could use up all their financial resources due to a prolonged and continued illness.

Q: What are the requirements?

A: 1. A request letter from the patient or the immediate family member addressed to Atty. Joy Roxas or PCSO Chairwoman Margarita Juico asking for financial assistance without the exact amount needed.

2. A medical abstract complete with the physician’s signature and license number

3. What is the protocol treatment needed by the patient? This must be specified, such as dialysis, chemo and others.

4. If applicable, the original hospital bill with the signature of the cashier or collection officer.(not certified true copy just the original with signature) The original bills must be given as the social workers will still check if certain amount had already been deducted such as with Phil Health, senior citizen discount and others. After the evaluation of the social worker, the assistance fee will then be decided.

5. Referral Letter from the facility’s social worker or Hospital Social Service, if any (if without social worker, letter indicating facility has no social worker)

Q: Do we have to wait in line or is there a priority?

A; PCSO medical assistance is a first come, first serve basis. The patient of the family member has to wait in line to be interviewed by the social workers. Withing that day, the papers will be processed.

Q: What if we only need assistance for medications?

A: The same requirements must be presented. The patient or the representative will still be interviewed by the social worker to know how long the patients had been taking the medication, the case of the illness, and a social case study. The patient’s social status will also have to be known.

Q: Is there any other way to get the assistance other than personally going to Manila?

A: As of now, PCSO has 29 branches and sub-offices nationwide where people can go to seek assistance. In Luzon, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, and Zambales already have their branches. In two years time, PCSO aim to open a branch in each province around the country.

Q: Will it help if we have a letter of recommendation from a political party?

A: No. An endorsement from a politician is not needed. The requirements are more important. These documents must be original. If you present a photocopy, make sure t is a certified true copy. The common mistakes of people are just bringig copies. It is better to bring the original documents.

Q: What is the maximum amount that we ca get from PCSO?

A: It depends on the evaluation of the social worker. The whole amount of the bills will not be paid and the amount will depend on the social case study (My friend got 70,000.00 over 80K bills and some patients got 100,000.00 it really depends on the case and the total amount). If the person requesting for assistance has a CCT or Conditional Cash Transfer from DSWD, they will be prioritized as they are known to belong among “poorest of the poor.”

BONUS TIPS: You have a higher chance of getting larger amount of money for assistance when you go to the PCSO main office or in PCSO Quezon city.

PCSO – Main Office
Address: Sun Plaza Bldg, 1507 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

PCSO – Quezon City
Address: E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Pcso Complex, Quezon City, Metro Manila