Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are called ‘Modern Heroes’ because choose to work abroad to provide the life they want for themselves and their families. They are aware of the hardship and loneliness they will experience. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) sees the sacrifices and it’s the very reason they assist all OFWs. This includes health care, disability and death benefits, and family welfare assistance.
All members and their dependents can utilize all the benefits and services that OWWA can offer. Financial assistance payouts can be received through check or cash. There are also some OWWA Regional Welfare Offices that require scheduled appointments so make sure to check by calling them directly. You must also double-check all your documentary requirements to avoid being rejected by the OWWA. Here is the list of social services that they can avail.
Disability and Dismemberment
Getting into an accident that can cause an injury can be one of the worst things that can happen at work. Some of these injuries may cause you to stop working altogether. For this reason, OFWs who sustain injuries while they are at work can receive up to Php 100,000 from OWWA.
Requirements
- Accident Report (Master’s Report for seafarers)
- OFW’s government-issued ID
- Passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB)
- Foreign Medical Certificate (Must be translated into English)
- Medical Certificate from doctors in the Philippines
- OFW Membership Record (MR)
- 1 copy of a 1×1 picture of the OFW
- Application form
Application Process
Step 1: Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) near your permanent address.
Step 2: Get a number and wait to be called.
Step 3: Go to the Membership Verification Desk and present your OFW identification card.
Step 4: Fill out the application form and submit all the required documents. Wait for your documents to be evaluated.
Step 5: Once approved, get a claim stub and present it to claim your financial assistance.
Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs (MEDplus)
For OFWs who got hospitalized due to a disease can avail of the MEDplus. OWWA members who are also PhilHealth members can receive up to Php 50,000.
Requirements
- MEDplus application form
- Medical Certificate
- Member Data Record from PhilHealth
- OFW Membership Record (MR)
- Passport-size picture of the OFW (1 copy)
- Passport of the OFW
- Valid government-issued identification card of the OFW
- If the claimant is the beneficiary:
- Notarized Special Power of Attorney executed by the OFW – if the OFW is abroad
- Death Certificate of the deceased OFW, marriage certificate, or birth certificate of the claimant (issued by the Philippine Statistic Authority) – if the OFW is deceased
Application Process
Step 1: Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) near your permanent address.
Step 2: Get a number and wait to be called.
Step 3: Go to the Social Benefits Unit’s desk and present your OFW identification card.
Step 4: Fill out the application form and prepare all the documents needed.
Step 5: Submit the application form and other documents.
Step 6: Get a claim stub and a request for financial help.
Step 7: Present two (2) valid government-issued IDs and claim your check in the Releasing Window at the Cashier.
Death and Burial
Beneficiaries of the deceased OFWs can receive up to Php 100,000 for natural death and Php 200,000 for accidental death. On top of that, they will also receive a funeral grant of Php 20,000 to give the deceased OFW a proper burial.
Requirements
- Affidavit of Undertaking accomplished by the claimant
- Burial Permit and Official Receipt of payment in funeral
- Copy of passport or seaman’s Identification Record Book of the OFW
- Death Certificate
- Police or accident report (if the death was caused by an accident)
- OFW Membership Record (MR)
- Proof of relationship to the deceased OFW
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENEMAR) – for single OFWs
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth certificate – if the claimants are parents or children of the OFW
- Two (2) valid government-issued identifications
- One (1) 1×1 picture of the claimant
Application Process
Step 1: Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) near your permanent address.
Step 2: Get a number and wait to be called.
Step 3: Go to the Membership Verification Desk and present your OFW identification card.
Step 4: Fill out the application form and submit all the required documents. Wait for your documents to be evaluated.
Step 5: Once approved, get a claim stub and present it to claim your financial assistance.
Welfare Assistance Program
For OFWs and their beneficiaries who didn’t qualify for any existing social benefits of OWWA, the Welfare Assistance Program or WAP can help you. This program’s main purpose is to provide financial help to all OWWA members and their families who need any of the following:
- Calamity Assistance – if the OWWA members and their families get affected by natural calamities (typhoon, earthquake, flooding, etc.).
- Bereavement Assistance – If the OWWA member dies.
- Disability Assistance – If the OWWA member got into an accident.
- Medical Assistance – If the OWWA member has sickness that isn’t covered by the MEDplus.
- Relief Assistance – If the OWWA members lose their jobs due to economic, political, or health crises, or any unforeseen conditions.
Requirements
- Calamity Assistance:
- Two (2) valid government-issued identification of the OFW and claimant
- Authorization Letter (If the applicant is the beneficiary of the OFW)
- Barangay Certificate as resident of disaster/emergency affected community
- Bereavement Assistance
- Two (2) valid government-issued identification of the claimant
- Medical Certificate or Examination Procedure Result
- Accident/Police Report
- Special Power of Attorney
- Disability Assistance
- Two (2) valid government-issued identification of the OFW and claimant
- Medical Certificate or Examination Procedure Result
- Accident/Police Report
- Special Power of Attorney
- Medical Assistance
- Two (2) valid government-issued identification of the OFW and claimant
- Authorization Letter (If the applicant is the beneficiary of the OFW)
- Original Medical Certificate/Abstract with PTR No. of attending physician
- Relief Assistance
- Two (2) valid government-issued identification of the OFW and claimant
- Authorization Letter (If the applicant is the beneficiary of the OFW)
- Proof of displacement (termination of contract, working Visa, etc.)
- Certification from OWWA-POLO of OFW’s job sites
Application Process
Step 1: Go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) near your permanent address.
Step 2: Get a number and wait to be called.
Step 3: Go to the Membership Verification Desk and present your OFW identification card.
Step 4: Fill out the application form and submit all the required documents. Wait for your documents to be evaluated.
Step 5: Once approved, get a claim stub and present it to claim your financial assistance.
Video: OWWA SOCIAL BENEFITS PROGAM PARA SA OFWs AT DEPENDENTS
If you want to know more about OWWA’s Social Benefits, check this video by Zennibit to guide you in your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the social benefits of OWWA?
The social benefits provided by OWWA are Disability and Dismemberment, Death and Burial, Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDplus), and Welfare Assistance Program (WAP).
Who is eligible for OWWA’s social benefits?
All OWWA members, OFWs and their beneficiaries, are entitled to social benefits.
What benefits can a beneficiary get for a deceased OFW?
The OFW’s beneficiaries can receive up to Php 100,000 for natural death Php 200,000 for accidental death and Php 20,000 for the funeral grant.
What benefits are included in the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)?
The benefits of the WAP are Bereavement Assistance, Calamity Assistance, Medical Assistance, and Relief Assistance.
What is the difference between Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDplus) and Medical Assistance under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)?
The MEDplus provides financial assistance to OWWA members to pay their medical bills. This is the equivalent of PhilHealth benefits. The Medical Assistance under WAP provides financial assistance to OFWs whose illnesses are not covered by MEDplus.
How much is the maximum grant that OWWA can offer in Disability and Dismemberment?
OWWA members can receive up to Php 100,000 for total and permanent disability and Php 50,000 for partial disability.
Will the program cover the whole cost even if it exceeds the amount intended for the program?
No. Each program has a maximum coverage allotted to them. If the cost exceeds the amount granted to the applicant, the applicant must pay the rest of it.
Who is eligible to apply for Relief Assistance under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)?
OWWA members who were displaced or laid off due to economic, political, health crises, bankruptcy, etc. are eligible to apply to this program.
Who can apply for the social benefits on behalf of an OFW?
OFW beneficiaries are eligible to apply and receive benefits on behalf of OFW. The beneficiaries must provide proof of relation and Power of Attorney to be able to represent the OFW.
Summary
The Social Benefits of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was created for the interest and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. This provides assurance and confidence that OFWs will receive help in times of dire need.
The OWWA provides a wide range of programs and services to its members. If you are an OFW or planning to be one, be sure that you are documented and a member of OWWA so you can take advantage of all the benefits they offer.