OWWA Social Benefits and Projects

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers varying Social Benefits to extend aid to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.

Also Read: DMW Launches One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC) for OFWs

The social benefits of OWWA are some of its many programs and projects available. In this particular sector, qualified OFWs and their legal beneficiaries can avail of cash assistance that they can use in times of calamity, health issues, accidental injuries, or even the death of OWWA members. So if you’re wondering what’s the importance of OWWA membership, read on to learn more about the OWWA Social Benefits.

OWWA Social Benefits for OFWs and Dependents

Disability and Dismemberment

The Disability and Dismemberment benefit entitles an OWWA member a cash assistance of up to P100,000, given they sustained injuries caused by accidents while working overseas.

Qualifications

The Disability and Dismemberment benefits are only accessible to active OWWA members who develop the condition during their work overseas.

Requirements

Here are the following documentary requirements qualified beneficiaries of Disability and Dismemberment benefits should secure:

Accident Report/Masters Report for seafarer (from employer)
At least one (1) valid ID of the authorized claimant (from OFWs authorized claimant)
Copy of passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) of the OFW member (from MARINA)
Foreign Medical Certificate with English Translation (from OWWA-POLO)
Medical Certificate with the indicated procedure of the medical examination/procedure of the doctor in the Philippines (from a Competent medical practitioner from a legitimate medical institution/facility)
OFW Membership Record (MR) (from OWWA RWO)
One (1) copy of a 1×1 picture (from OFW Member)
Present an Authorization Letter with the ID of OFW if the claimant is not OFW (from OFWs authorized claimant)

Procedures

To apply for Disability and Dismemberment benefits from OWWA, follow the steps below:

Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers your permanent address.
Secure a priority number (ticket) and wait for the OWWA representative to accommodate you.
Show the OFW ID or details to the Membership Verification Desk.
Depending on the membership status, secure application form and requirements checklist.
Submit the documentary requirements and duly-accomplished claim form for verification.
If approved, show the claim stub and claim financial assistance via cash or check payout.

Death and Burial

The Death Benefit is insurance for surviving family members of deceased OFWs with active OWWA membership at the time of their deaths. Under this program, legal beneficiaries of deceased OFWs will receive P100,000 cash assistance for natural deaths. Meanwhile, beneficiaries of OFWs who died due to accidents will receive cash assistance worth P200,000. Apart from that, legal beneficiaries of deceased OFWs will receive a Burial Gratuity worth P20,000 to help them provide a decent burial for their loved ones.

Qualifications

Eligible dependents of deceased OFW members qualify for the Death and Burial benefits of OWWA.

Requirements

Here are the following documentary requirements to secure for the eligible dependents of deceased OFW members to access the Death and Burial benefits from OWWA:

Affidavit of Undertaking performed by the claimant (from Notary Public)
Burial Permit and Official Receipt of funeral payment (from City/Municipal LGU)
Copy of passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) of the OFW member (from MARINA)
Death Certificate, local or foreign police/accident report if the OFW died due to an accident (from Local Civil Registrar or Philippine Statistics Authority)
OFW Membership Record (MR) (from OWWA RWO)
One (1) copy of a 1×1 ID picture and two (2) valid IDs of the claimant (from the qualified claimant)
Proof of relationship to OFW member (from the Philippine Statistics Authority or

Local Civil Registrar):

For single/unmarried OFW members- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
For married OFWs- Marriage Certificate
For parent claimants- Birth Certificate of OFW
For the child of OFWs- The Birth Certificate of the claimant and the death certificate of the deceased spouse

Procedures

To apply for Death and Burial benefits from OWWA, follow the steps below:

Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers your permanent address.
Queue in the line or secure a queuing number.
Show the OFW ID or details to the Membership Verification Desk.
Depending on the membership status, secure application form and requirements checklist.
Submit the documentary requirements and duly-accomplished claim form for verification.
If approved, show the claim stub and claim financial assistance via cash or check payout.

Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDplus)

Supplementary Medical Assistance or MEDplus is another social benefit from OWWA that is open to OFW PhilHealth members hospitalized in the Philippines or at their job sites due to dreadful diseases. It intends to provide eligible beneficiaries financial assistance to pay for their medical/hospital bills corresponding to the PhilHealth benefits case rate system and not exceeding P50,000 for each member.

Qualifications

The MEDplus Social Benefit from OWWA is open to active OWWA members with active PhilHealth Membership.

Requirements

Here are the following documentary requirements to obtain for the qualified beneficiaries of MEDplus benefits from OWWA:

Member Data Record (from PhilHealth)
Medical Certificate (from a Competent medical practitioner from a legitimate medical institution/facility)
MEDPlus Application Form (from OWWA RWO)
OFW Membership Record (MR) (from OWWA RWO)
One (1) copy of a passport-size photo (from the OFW member or claimant)
Valid ID (from company or government-issued)
Valid passport (from DFA)
For family members who will claim the assistance due to (from Legal Practitioner PSA or Local Civil Registrar LCR):
For OFWs still abroad- Duly notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) performed by the OFW
For deceased OFWs- Death Certificate of the deceased OFW / Marriage Contract or Birth Certificate of NOK-claimant from PSA

Procedures

To apply for Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDplus), follow the steps below:

Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers your permanent address.
Secure a priority number (ticket) and wait for the OWWA representative to accommodate you.
Show ID at the Social Benefits Unit Counter to validate OFW Membership Record.
Next, obtain a MEDPlus Application Form and other documentary requirements if the MDR and membership are valid.
Submit the requirements and duly-accomplished MEDPlus Application Form.
If approved, get the claim stub and claim financial assistance via cash or check payout.
Then, head to the Cashier Releasing Window and show your two (2) valid company or government-issued IDs.

Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)

The Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) of OWWA is for OFW members or their families who are not qualified for other existing social benefits from the agency. It aims to provide financial relief support to OWWA members not covered by regular programs thru the following conditions:

Calamity Assistance – It is only open to active OWWA members and their families distressed by natural disasters/calamities, like earthquakes, heavy flooding, and super typhoons. Furthermore, this program is open for OFW members living in areas under the State of Calamity as declared by the LGU or President.
Bereavement Assistance – This program is open for legal dependents of deceased OFWs.
Disability Assistance- OWWA members who are victims of accidents or crimes qualify for this program.
Medical Assistance- This cash assistance is for OWWA members suffering from illnesses not covered on MEDplus.
Relief Assistance- This program is for displaced or laid-off OWWA members due to political, health, bankruptcy, economic, and other relevant circumstances.

Qualifications

The Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) from OWWA is accessible to OFW members or their qualified dependents.

Requirements

Qualified beneficiaries of the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) must secure the documentary requirements based on the following types of cash assistance from OWWA:

For Calamity Assistance:

At least two (2) valid IDs of OFW or Claimant (company or government-issued)
Barangay Certificate as a resident of an emergency/disaster-affected community (from Barangay Council).
If the claimant is not the OFW, present an Authorization Letter with the ID of the OFW (from the OFW member).
Obtain a Certification if a victim of a fire incident (from the Bureau of Fire Protection).

For Bereavement Assistance:

At least two (2) valid IDs of the Claimant (company or government-issued)
Death Certificate (from Philippine Statistics Authority or Local Civil Registrar)
Joint Affidavit of two disinterested persons who witnessed the administration of burial rites (from Notary Public)
Proof of relationship with OFW, such as a Birth Certificate or Marriage Contract (from the Philippine Statistics Authority or Local Civil Registrar)

For Disability Assistance:

At least two (2) valid IDs of the Claimant (company or government-issued)
Accident/Police Report (from Police Authorities that have jurisdiction over the incident)
Medical Certificate / Examination Procedure Result (from Competent Practitioner and Medical Institution/Facility)
Special Power of Attorney (PSA) if the claimant is not the OFW (from a Legitimate Law/Legal Practitioner)

For Medical Assistance:

At least two (2) valid IDs of OFW or Claimant (company or government-issued)
If the claimant is not the OFW, present an Authorization Letter with the ID of the OFW (from the OFW member).
Original Medical Certificate/Abstract with PTR No. of Attending Physician (from Competent Practitioner and Medical Institution/Facility)

For Relief Assistance:

At least two (2) valid IDs of OFW or Claimant (company or government-issued)
Certification (from OWWA-POLO of OFWs job sites)
If the claimant is not the OFW, present an Authorization Letter with the ID of the OFW (from the OFW member).
Proof of Displacement, such as Termination of Contract or Working Visa (from employer)

Procedures

To apply for OWWA Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) cash assistance, follow the steps below:

Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers your permanent address.
Secure a priority number (ticket) and wait for the OWWA representative to accommodate you.
Show the OFW ID or details to the Membership Verification Desk.
Depending on the membership status, secure application form and requirements checklist.
Submit the documentary requirements and duly-accomplished claim form for verification.
If approved, show the claim stub and claim financial assistance via cash or check payout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Social Benefits for OWWA members?

OFW members and their dependents can avail of varying OWWA Social Benefits, including Disability and Dismemberment, Death and Burial, Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDplus), and Welfare Assistance Program (WAP).

How to claim Social Benefits from OWWA?

To claim OWWA Social Benefits, OFW members or their legal beneficiaries should secure the documentary requirements. Then, visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) that covers their permanent address to claim OWWA Social Benefits.

Summary

Active OWWA members and their families are entitled to OWWA Social Benefits, given they meet the requirements and qualifications. From disability and medical to calamity, death, and burial, these are just some of the Social Benefits OWWA offers its members and their dependents. In addition, OWWA Social Benefits are all designed to assist OFW members and their families in times of need.

Thus, OFWs should keep their membership active to ensure access to OWWA Social Benefits and keep them and their families insured.