One of the most challenging events in one’s life is the death of a loved one, especially those working or living abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). From sending their body back to the Philippines to arranging funerals, death is undeniably a heavy blow for anyone. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provide its OFW members with Death and Burial Benefits that their surviving next of kin can claim, providing them with proper burial while coping with grief and loss.
Also Read: What are the OWWA Social Benefits?
These benefits include cash assistance to the bereaved family, so they can decently send off their deceased loved one. But these benefits are only available to the families of active OWWA members. If you lose a family member who’s an OFW with active OWWA membership at their death, keep reading this article to learn more about OWWA Death and Burial Benefits. This article also contains the qualifications, requirements, and application procedures to claim the benefits.
What are the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits?
The OWWA Death and Burial Benefits are cash assistance granted to the surviving families of deceased OFWs. This program is only for the bereaved families of active OWWA members who suddenly died with active employment contracts. Since death is inevitable, this program aims to assist the surviving family members of deceased OFWs closure by providing them with cash assistance for the funeral of their loved ones. This way, they can cope with grief and loss, knowing their deceased loved one is at peace.
Furthermore, this program has two sections, the Death Benefit and Burial Gratuity. The Death Benefit serves insurance for surviving families of deceased OFWs who died as active OWWA members. Under this benefit, the eligible beneficiaries will receive cash assistance depending if the deceased OFW member died due to accidental or natural causes. Meanwhile, the Burial Gratuity is funeral assistance granted to deceased OFWs beneficiaries, assisting them in providing a decent burial.
Benefits
With the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits, the surviving family members of deceased OFW OWWA members will receive the following cash assistance:
Death Benefit
- For natural causes of death- P100,000
- For accidental causes of death- P200,000
Burial Gratuity
Eligible beneficiaries of deceased OFWs will receive a P20,000 funeral grant for a rider to help them provide their loved ones with a proper burial.
Qualifications
If you’re an eligible beneficiary of a deceased OFW, here are the following qualifications to avail of the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits:
For Deceased OFWs
- Land-based or sea-based OFWs with active OWWA membership and employment contract at the time of their death
- OFW members who died of natural cause
- OFW members who died of accidental cause
For Eligible Beneficiaries of Deceased OFWs
- Legal spouse
- Children (legitimate, illegitimate, legitimated, and legally adopted)
- Single/unmarried, unemployed, and not exceeding the age of majority
- Single/unmarried children of legal age who are incapable or incapacitated to support themselves due to a physical or mental disorder
- Parents of OFW members who rely on their support
- Sibling
- Single/unmarried, unemployed, and not exceeding the age of majority
- Single/unmarried siblings exceeding the age of majority who are incapable or incapacitated to support themselves due to a physical or mental disorder
Requirements
Here are the following documentary requirements eligible beneficiaries should secure to apply and claim the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits:
For OFWs who died while working overseas
- Airway Bill
- Foreign Death Certificate
- Consular Mortuary Certificate or No Objection Certificate
For Eligible Beneficiaries of Deceased OFWs (Claimant)
- Duly accomplished OWWA Death Claim Application Form
- Original Death Certificate issued by the local civil registrar or verified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- Accident/Police Report for death due to accident
- Affidavit of Undertaking executed by the claimant
- Burial Permit
- Official receipt of funeral expenses
- Two (2) Valid IDs
- One (1) 1×1 ID picture of the claimant
- Certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of OFW issued by PSA
- Any of the following proof of relationship to OFW certified by PSA or local civil registrar (LCR):
- For spouse claimant- Marriage Certificate
- For parent (mother/father) claimant- Birth Certificate of OFW
- For child claimant- Birth Certificate of the Child and Death Certificate of the deceased OFW/parent
- Any proof of OWWA Membership:
- OFW Membership Record (MR)
- Copy of Passport of the OFW member
- Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) of the OFW member
If a Marriage or Birth Certificate is not available:
- Affidavit of Undertaking executed by the claimant
- Accident/Police Report for death due to accident
- Affidavits from two (2) unconnected individuals explaining the information on the marriage or birth of the claimant and their relationship to the deceased
- Certificate of Marriage or Baptism issued by the Parish Office/Priest
- Certificate authenticated by the local civil registrar (LCR), explaining the truth that the birth or marriage has no record in the civil registry
How to Apply OWWA Burial Benefits
To apply for the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits, follow the guide below:
- Book an appointment at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) or the one that covers the OFWs’ permanent address. You may use the online appointment scheduler via the OWWA Mobile App or at this link: https://appointment.owwa.gov.ph/.
- Head to the OWWA RWO on the day of your chosen appointment date and time.
- Grab a queuing number and wait in line.
- Present the ID or information of the OFW to the Membership Verification Desk.
- Depending on the OWWA membership status, secure the requirements checklists and application form. Then, fill out the application form.
- Next, submit your documentary requirements and the duly-accomplished application form for evaluation.
- If approved, present the claim stub to get the financial assistance thru cash or check pay-out.
Also, when claiming the cash assistance, ensure to bring any 2 of the following, both original and valid copies:
- Driver’s license
- Office/company ID
- Original NBI clearance
- Passport
- Senior Citizenship ID
Reminders for OWWA Death and Burial Benefits
Before applying for OWWA Death and Burial Benefits, please take note of the following reminders:
- Eligible beneficiaries of OFWs can only claim this assistance if the OWWA member has an active employment contract at their death.
- For approved applicants, track the application status using the reference number sent via email or SMS.
- If the requirements are invalid or incomplete, the applicant will receive a notification via email or SMS.
- Applicants with incomplete documents will not be processed.
- The eligible beneficiaries of this program should have an active bank account number under their name to claim the cash assistance. If not, open a savings account with the name of a relative or child.
- Once approved, the cash assistance is transferred within two (2) weeks to the applicant’s account number or the OFWs designated beneficiary thru an electronic payment facility or bank transfer.
- The Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) or local civil registrar (LCR) should authenticate the required documents.
- For more information on this program, contact OWWA on their official Facebook page, email, or hotline.
Video: OFW death benefits for OWWA members
To learn more about OWWA Death and Burial Benefits, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, OFWs can receive varying benefits from OWWA if they suddenly meet their demise while working abroad. One of these programs is OWWA Death and Burial Benefits, where eligible beneficiaries of deceased OFW OWWA members will receive cash assistance. But the deceased OFWs should have an active OWWA membership status to receive cash assistance, regardless of the cause of their death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for OWWA Death and Burial Benefits?
The cash assistance provided under the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits is for the bereaved family members of OFWs with active OWWA membership status and employment contract at their death. Furthermore, the applicant should be the next of kin of deceased OFWs who meet the qualifications, such as their legal spouse, children, parents, or siblings.
How to claim Death and Burial Benefits from OWWA?
To claim cash assistance, the applicants should check if they meet the qualifications. Next, complete the documentary requirements for application. Afterward, book an appointment at the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers the permanent address of the deceased OFW. During the appointment date, fill out the application form and submit the requirements for evaluation. Then, wait for a call or email regarding your application status. Also, ensure you have a valid account number to receive the cash assistance once approved.
How much is the financial assistance for OWWA Death and Burial Benefits?
The financial assistance for OWWA Death and Burial Benefits has two sections. First is the Death Benefit, where the eligible beneficiary of the deceased OFW OWWA members will receive cash assistance worth P100,000 for natural causes of death and P20,000 for accidental deaths. Apart from the Death Benefit, eligible beneficiaries will receive a Burial Gratuity worth P20,000 to provide a decent send-off to the deceased OFW member.
Summary
No matter how much you prepare, when death comes knocking at the door, it is devastating for the bereaved families. Nonetheless, providing a decent burial to our loved ones can give closure to grieving families. With the OWWA Death and Burial Benefits, the families of OFW members who met their sudden demise will receive cash assistance.
Thus, OFWs should always keep their OWWA membership active to have insurance for themselves and their families.
Contact Details
OWWA Central Office
Address: OWWA Center Building, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Hotline: 1348
NCR Hotline: 09666250016
Reintegration Unit: 8834-0719
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph