List of OWWA Social Benefits to OFWs and Dependents

The Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) has a number of social benefits that give assistance to Filipino migrant workers. Many OWWA services, which include health care, disability and death benefits, and family welfare assistance, are available to all registered members.

In case of death or total disability due to employment, OWWA provides financial assistance to next of kin who are the dependent spouse/children/parents/siblings.

(OWWA) is responsible for protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by providing services that are beneficial to them. Paying the USD 25 membership fee entitles you to become a member of the OWWA.

The following are the social services that OWWA members and their dependents can receive.

 

1. Disability and Dismemberment

For injuries sustained as a result of an accident while working overseas, a member is entitled to a disability / dismemberment benefit of up to Php 100,000.00.

Who is Qualified?

This program is only open to active OWWA members who develop disability/dismemberment while working abroad.

What are the Requirements?

Checklist of Requirements	Where to Secure
Accident Report and / or Master’s Report (for seafarer)	Employer
At least one (1) valid I.D. of authorized claimant	OFW’s authorized claimant
Copy of Passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) of the OFW – Member	MARINA
Foreign Medical Certificate with English Translation	OWWA- POLO
If claimant is not OFW, submit Authorization Letter with I.D. of OFW	OFW’s authorized claimant
Medical Certificate (with indicated procedure of the medical examination / procedure of the doctor in Philippines)	Competent medical practitioner from legitimate medical institution / facility
OFW Membership Record (MR)	OWWA RWO
One (1) copy of 1×1 picture	OFW member

 

How to Avail the Service?

1. Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office, which is located in the OFW’s permanent residence.
2. Please get a priority number (ticket) and wait for a response.
3. Present OFW I.D. or info to the Membership Verification Desk, based on status of membership obtain application form and checklist of requirements.
4. For validation and evaluation, submit a completed claim form along with the necessary documentation.
5. Proceed to provide a claim stub and claim financial help by check or cash pay-out if your application has been granted.

2. Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs (MEDplus)

For active OWWA and PhilHealth member-OFWs who have been hospitalized as a result of dreadful diseases received on the job or while in the Philippines, MEDplus is a medical assistance program.

It is a financial assistance program that tries to help to qualify members pay for their hospital/medical bills up to a maximum of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00), according to the PhilHealth case rate system.

Who is Qualified?

This program is only open to active OWWA members who have a PhilHealth membership.

What are the Requirements?

Checklist of Requirements	Where to Secure
If the family of OFW will claim the assistance because of:   OFW is abroad: Duly notarized Special Power of Attorney executed by the OFW   Deceased OFW: Death certificate of deceased OFW / marriage certificate or birth certificate of NOK-claimant issued by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)	Legal Practitioner PSA or Local Civil Registrar LCR
Medical Certificate	Competent medical practitioner from legitimate medical institution/facility
MEDPlus Application Form	OWWA RWO
Member Data Record from PhilHealth	PhilHealth
OFW Membership Record (MR)	OWWA RWO
One (1) Copy of Passport Size Picture	OFW Member or Claimant
Valid Passport	DFA
Valid Identification (I.D) Card	Government or Company issued

How to Avail the Service?

1. Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office, which is located in the OFW’s permanent residence.
2. Please get a priority number (ticket) and wait for a response.
3. I.D. (current) for verification of membership record at the Social Benefits Unit’s counter
4. Acquire the MedPlus Application Form and other required documentation if your membership and MDR are valid.
5. Submit the completed application form and all required documents, then show your claim stub and request financial help in the form of a check or cash payment.
6. Go to the Cashier – Releasing Window after claiming the check and present two valid IDs, e.g. Senior Citizens, NBI Clearance (Original / Valid), PRC License, Passport, Postal, Voter’s, Company, Driver’s License

3. Death and Burial

Death Benefit – children of OFWs who were members at the time of their death. For natural deaths, the beneficiary is entitled to Php 100,000.00, and for accidental deaths the beneficiary is entitled to Php 200,000.00.

Burial Gratuity – in addition to the death benefit, the beneficiaries of the departed OFW are given a funeral grant of Php 20,000.00 to help them in the proper burial of their loved ones.

Who is Qualified?

This program is open to qualified dependents of deceased OFW members.

What are the Requirements?

Checklist of Requirements	Where to Secure
Affidavit of Undertaking executed by claimant	Notary Public
Burial Permit and Official Receipt of payment in funeral	City / Municipal LGU
Copy of Passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) of the OFW – Member	MARINA
Death Certificate (local o foreign; police / accident report – if death was caused by accident)	Philippine Statistics Authority or Local Civil Registrar
OFW Membership Record (MR)	OWWA RWO
Proof of Relationship to OFW Member   ·       OFW CENOMAR, if single ·       Marriage Certificate ·       Birth Certificate of OFW, if the claimant is the parent ·       Birth Certificate of the claimant and death certificate of deceased spouse, for OFWs child	Philippine Statistics Authority or Local Civil Registrar
Two (2) Valid IDs and One (1) copy of ID Picture of claimant (1×1)	Qualified Claimant

 

How to Avail the Service?

1. Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office, which is located in the OFW’s permanent residence.
2. Find a number for the queue or join the line.
3. I.D. of a current OFW Submit information to the Membership Verification Desk, where you can get an application form and a checklist of requirements based on your membership level.
4. For validation and evaluation, submit a completed claim form along with the necessary documentation.
5. Proceed to provide a claim stub and claim financial help by check or cash pay-out if your application has been granted.

4. Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)

The Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) is a program that provides support to OWWA members, whether active or not, and their families who are not qualified for any of the OWWA’s existing social benefit programs or services. It aims to provide OWWA members with cash assistance in any of the following situations that are not covered by the Secretariat’s normal programs:

• Calamity Assistance – OWWA members and their families who have been affected by natural calamities such as super typhoons, earthquakes, major flooding, and other natural disasters.
• Bereavement assistance – families of OFWs will be given cash assistance in the event of a death of the OFW OWWA member.
• Disability Assistance – OWWA members who have been victims of crimes or accidents are eligible for disability assistance.
• Medical Assistance – OWWA members who suffer illnesses that aren’t covered by MEDplus can get medical help.
• Relief Assistance – OWWA members who have been moved or laid off as a result of economic, political, or health crises, insolvency, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Who is Qualified?

This program is open to OFW Members and OFW Qualified Dependents.

What are the Requirements?

Checklist of Requirements	Where to Secure
Bereavement Assistance ·       At least two (2) valid I.D.s of Claimant ·       Medical Certificate / Examination Procedure Result ·       Accident / Police Report ·       If claimant is not the OFW, Special Power of Attorney (SPA)	·       Government issued or company issued ·       Philippine Statistics Authority or Local Civil Registrar ·       Philippine Statistics Authority or ·       Local Civil Registrar ·       Notary Public
Calamity Assistance ·       At least two (2) valid I.D.s of OFW or Claimant ·       Authorization Letter with I.D. of OFW, if claimant is not the OFW ·       Barangay Certificate as resident of disaster / emergency affected community ·       If victim of fire incident, secure Certification   Note: Calamity Assistance can be claimed by OFW members who are residing in areas where there is declared a State of Calamity by the Local Government Unit or the Office of the President.	·       Government issued or company issued ·       OFW member ·       Barangay Council ·       Bureau of Fire Protection
Disability Assistance ·       At least two (2) valid I.D.s of Claimant ·       Medical Certificate / Examination Procedure Result ·       Accident / Police Report ·       If claimant is not the OFW, Special Power of Attorney (SPA)	·       Government issued or company issued ·       Competent Practitioner and Medical Institution/Facility ·       Police Authorities with jurisdiction on the incident ·       Legitimate Law/Legal Practitioner
Medical Assistance ·       At least two (2) valid I.D.s of OFW or Claimant ·       Authorization Letter with I.D. of OFW, if claimant is not the OFW ·       Original Medical Certificate / Abstract with PTR No. of Attending Physician	·       Government issued or company issued ·       OFW member ·       Competent Practitioner and Medical ·       Institution/Facility
Relief Assistance ·       At least two (2) valid I.D.s of OFW or Claimant ·       Authorization Letter with I.D. of OFW, if claimant is not the OFW ·       Proof of Displacement e.g. Termination of Contract, Working Visa, etc. ·       Certification from OWWA-POLO of OFW’s job sites	·       Government issued or company issued ·       OFW member ·       Employer ·       OWWA-POLO

How to Avail the Service?

1. Visit the OFW’s permanent address, which is covered by the OWWA Regional Welfare Office.
2. Please wait for your priority number (ticket) to be called.
3. I.D. of the current OFW or information to the Membership Verification Desk, depending on membership status; acquire an application form and criteria checklist.
4. Submit the completed claim form together with any supporting papers for validation and evaluation.
5. Proceed to present the claim stub and request financial help by check or cash pay-out for approved applicants.

Video: Social Benefits Guide from OWWA

If you want to learn more about OWWA Social Benefits you can check the YouTube video of OWWA Member entitled “Social Benefits and Health Benefits for OWWA Members” below:

You can also check this YouTube video of Team Decena entitled “OFW: Inactive or Active Member Social Benefits|| You can claim up to 200k Pesos|| OFW Benefits”

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers regarding the social benefit projects:

1. What are OWWA’s Social Benefits?

The OWWA’s Social Benefits are disability and dismemberment, death & burial, Supplementary Medical Assistance, and Welfare Assistance Program.

2. What is the coverage for death benefits?

The coverage includes PhP 100,000.00 for death due to natural cause and PhP 200,000.00 for death due to accident.

3. What can I get in Disability and Dismemberment Benefit?

A member is entitled to disability/dismemberment benefits of PhP 50,000.00 for partial disability and Php 100,000.00 in case of total permanent disability.

4. What can I get in Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs (MEDplus)?

MEDplus is a financial assistance that aims to provide OFW’s with relief in the payment of their hospital/medical bills that is equivalent to the PhilHealth benefits under its case rate system but not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) per member.

5. What is the coverage of the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)?

Bereavement Assistance – for families of deceased OWWA members

Calamity Assistance — for OWWA members and their families who have been affected by natural disasters.

Medical Assistance – for OWWA members who have illnesses that are not covered under MEDplus and for members who sustained injuries due to accidents/crimes

Relief Assistance – for OWWA members who were displaced/laid-off en masse due to economic/political/health situations.

6. Can I still participate in the program if the cost exceeds the program’s amount?

Yes, you may still participate in the program, but you will be liable for any costs exceeding the program’s covered amount.

Summary

Just to give a quick recap of the social benefits, here’s a bullet-point summary:

• MEDplus is a medical assistance program for active OWWA and PhilHealth member-OFWs who have been hospitalized as a result of dreadful diseases received on the job or in the Philippines.
• Death Benefit is for the children of OFWs who were members at the time of their death.
• WAP is a program that provides support to OWWA members, whether active or not, and their families who are not qualified for any of the OWWA’s existing social benefit programs or services.

These social benefits from OWWA help members to have a peace of mind that, no matter what happens to them or their families, support will be given in times of need. So please make sure to keep your OWWA membership active to maintain the maximum benefits available.