How to Claim OWWA Death and Burial Benefits

Should a family lose an OFW loved one while working overseas, OWWA has a death and burial insurance benefit where the family members can claim to help with the expenses such as for burial purposes. It is important that the membership of the OFW has been renewed to make sure the family gets the maximum benefit available. In this article, we share information on the benefits available and how to get the death insurance claim.

Also Read: How to Claim OWWA Disability and Dismemberment Benefits

Over and above the provisions of the employment contract, employer offer, or the laws of the receiving country, an OWWA member-OFW is entitled to services and benefits.

For death due to natural causes, a member is entitled to a payment of PHP 100,000.00 for the term of his employment contract, and PHP 200,000.00 for death due to an accident. In the event of the member’s death, a burial value of PHP 20,000.00 will be given to the family members.

Also Read: How to Claim OWWA Bereavement Assistance?

What is OWWA Death and Burial Benefit?

The OWWA Death and Burial Benefit is a cash assistance made to the family members of active OWWA members who died when their job contract was still active.

Cash Assistance:

• Php 100,000.00 for natural cause
• Php 200,00.00 for accidental cause
• In addition to the death benefit, the beneficiaries will receive a rider of Php 20,000.00 for funeral expenses.

What are the Qualifications for OWWA Death Benefit?

Below are the qualifications to get the OWWA death claim:

• Active OWWA member
• Land based OFW
• Sea based OFW
• OFW who died due to natural causes
• OFW who died due to accidental cause

What are the Requirements to Apply for OWWA Death Benefit?

Please secure the following list of requirements in order to claim the OWWA death and burial assistance:

• OWWA Death Claim Application Form
• Original Death Certificate validated by the Philippine Statistics Authority or issued by the local civil registrar (PSA)
• Foreign Death Certificate, including Airway Bill and Consular Mortuary Certificate or No Objection Certificate, for OFWs who died while working abroad.
• Report of an accident that resulted in death
• Burial permit
• Official Receipt of Funeral Costs
• (2) valid IDs and one photo ID for the claimant.
• Certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of OFW from PSA.
• All of the following documents must be approved by the local civil registrar (LCR) or the Public Service Administration (PSA):
  • If the applicant is the spouse, a marriage certificate is required.
  • OFW’s birth certificate, whether the claimant is the father or mother
  • If the claimant is the child, the child’s birth certificate and the deceased parent’s death certificate are required.
• In the circumstance that a birth/marriage certificate is not available, the following documents must be submitted:
  • A certificate from the LCR stating that the fact of the marriage/birth is not registered in the civil registry
  • Certificate of Baptism/Marriage from the Parish Priest/Office
  • Affidavits of two (2) unrelated individuals stating the details of the claimant’s birth/marriage and connection to the deceased
• Affidavit of Undertaking executed by the claimant (Police report if death is due to an accident)

How to Claim OWWA Death and Burial Claim?

Here’s a step by step guide on how you can apply for the death and burial claim:

1. Get an application form from the nearest POLO-OWWA office or OWWA office.
2. Complete all of the documentation specifications.
3. Submit all required documents to the nearest OWWA Office.
4. Wait for the call from OWWA for your disability and dismemberment benefits.

You may want to take a look at this post for directions to OWWA office in the Philippines – List of OWWA Regional Welfare Offices in the Philippines

or this post for POLO-OWWA offices abroad – List of POLO-OWWA Offices Abroad

Releasing Requirements
Upon release of the assistance, please bring any 2 (original and valid copy) of the following:

• Passport
• Office ID
• Postal ID
• Driver’s license
• Original NBI clearance
• Senior Citizenship ID

Important Reminders about the OWWA Death Claims

Please see other important information about claiming death benefits from OWWA below:

• This assistance is provided to OFWs within the duration of their contract.
• For the purpose of tracking the status of the application, the applicant will receive a serial reference/tracking number via SMS or email.
• Applicants who submitted incomplete or invalid requirements will be informed of the missing/invalidated requirements via SMS or email.
• To receive the assistance, eligible of OWWA death and burial benefits must have an active account number in their name. Otherwise, you’ll have to open a savings account in the name of your child or relative.
• Within two (2) weeks of the application being accepted, assistance will be transferred directly to the OFW applicant’s account or to his or her designated beneficiary via bank transfer or electronic payment facility.

NOTE: You may contact your nearest OWWA regional office through their respective Facebook page or here: https://www.owwa.gov.ph/index.php/contact-us.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How would I know if my application has been accepted?

Once the application is accepted, you will receive a call, text, or email from the DOLE or OWWA regional offices that cover the applicant’s area.

2. What amount is the monetary assistance?

• Php 100,000.00 for natural cause
• Php 200,00.00 for accidental cause
• In addition to the death benefit, the beneficiaries will receive a rider of Php20,000.00 for funeral expenses.

3. How will I get cash support for my father’s or mother’s death?

• Affidavit of Undertaking executed by the claimant (Police report if death is due to an accident)
• Original Death Certificate validated by the Philippine Statistics Authority or issued by the local civil registrar (PSA)
• Foreign Death Certificate, including Airway Bill and Consular Mortuary Certificate or No Objection Certificate, for OFWs who died while working abroad.

4. What do I need to bring for claiming the assistance?

Any 2 (original and valid copy) of the following:

• • Passport
  • Office ID
  • Postal ID
  • Driver’s license
  • Original NBI clearance
  • Senior Citizenship ID

5. Can the deceased OFW’s child claim the assistance?

• YES, the child of the deceased OFW can claim the assistance
• If the claimant is the child, the child’s birth certificate and the deceased parent’s death certificate are required.

6. How can I claim the burial benefits?

Submit the following documents: Burial permit and Official Receipt of Funeral Costs

Videos: OWWA Death Claim Insurance

Check out the following videos to learn more about claiming death insurance from OWWA.

 

Summary

Just as a summary, the guide above will help you claim your OWWA death benefits and burial benefits for the deceased OFW. But again, please make sure that the membership is active! It is a big difference should the unforeseen circumstance take place, the family members can get as much as PHP 200,000 as maximum benefit compared to PHP 20,000 if they are not an OWWA member.