Apart from being away from their families, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice their safety by working abroad to provide a better future for their loved ones. The uncertainty of working in a foreign country may often lead to developing dreaded diseases or getting injured due to unfortunate events. Thus, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Medical Assistance benefit is provided to OFWs and their families to ensure they receive the necessary treatment for their health condition.
This Medical Assistance program is a benefit under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) of OWWA, which intends to help with the expenses for treatment of OFWs or their family members who have dreaded illnesses or injuries due to an accident or crime and other conditions and are not eligible for the MEDPlus program. However, the cash assistance granted varies per beneficiary. So if you or someone you know requires financial aid, read on to learn more about the OWWA Medical Assistance benefit.
What is OWWA Medical Assistance?
The OWWA Medical Assistance is one of the benefits under the agency’s Welfare Assistance Program (WAP), aiming to extend support to OFW OWWA members and their families who are not qualified to avail of any existing social benefit program from OWWA. This cash assistance relief is for OFW OWWA members not covered by the MEDPlus Program and suffering from dreaded diseases. Under this benefit, OWWA members who got ill or injured due to an accident or crime will receive cash assistance to help with their medical expenses.
Benefits
Since developing dreaded diseases or injuries are unforeseen, OFW OWWA members will surely benefit from OWWA Medical Assistance. Through this program, eligible beneficiaries will receive a cash assistance relief of up to P20,000 that they can use for their medical expenses, given they are not beneficiaries of the OWWA MEDPlus program.
Qualifications
The OWWA Medical Assistance benefit is for OFW members and their qualified dependents who were ill or wounded due to an accident or crime. In addition, the applicants of this program should not be beneficiaries of the MEDPlus program to qualify and are open for OFWs, whether active or inactive OWWA members. Here are the following qualifications for the dependents of OFW OWWA members:
For married OFWs:
- The OFWs child who is single/unmarried and not over 21 years old
- The OFWs legal spouse
If in case, note that common-law partners are not qualified for this program.
For single/unmarried OFWs:
- The OFWs sibling who is single and not over 30 years old
- The OFWs parent (mother/father) who’s not a member of PhilHealth
Requirements
If you’re an OWWA member or OFWs dependent who qualifies for this program, here are the following requirements you must obtain to apply for OWWA Medical Assistance benefit:
- OWWA Membership ID of the OFW
- At least two (2) valid IDs of the OFW or Claimant
- If the claimant is the OFWs dependent, secure an Authorization Letter and ID from the OFW member.
- Original Medical Certificate or Abstract indicating the condition of the applicant and the required treatment with PTR No. of the Attending Physician or Medical Practitioner
If the claimant is a family member, provide any of the following proof of relationship with the OFW:
For married OFWs:
- Birth Certificate of the child
- For legal spouse- Marriage Certificate issued by PSA
For single/unmarried OFWs:
- For sibling or parent- Birth Certificate of the OFW and the applicant and Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
Also, you may obtain the stated requirements from the following:
- OFW (OWWA member)
- Government or company-issued
- Institution or facility
- Competent Practitioner and Medical
MEDPlus Application for Medical Assistance Benefit from OWWA
After completing the necessary documents, follow the steps below to apply for OWWA Medical Assistance Benefit:
- If applying in the Philippines, head to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers the OFW’s permanent address. For overseas applicants, visit the designated POLO-OWWA office in the host country.
- Obtain a priority number (ticket) and wait to be processed.
- Next, show the ID of OFW or information to the Membership Verification Desk.
- Secure the requirements checklist and application form depending on the OFW’s OWWA membership status.
- Submit the duly accomplished application form and the documentary requirements for evaluation or validation.
- Once the applicant is approved, continue by presenting the claim stub to request financial assistance thru cash or check payout.
Also, don’t forget to contact the concerned office if they require an appointment or accept walk-in applicants before you visit.
Reminders for OWWA Medical Assistance Benefit
For those who wish to apply for OWWA Medical Assistance benefit, please keep in mind the following reminders:
- The OWWA Medical Assistance benefit is a cash aid under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) designed for OFWs and their families not covered by the MEDPlus program.
- This program is open to active and inactive OWWA members and their qualified dependents.
- The cash aid under this program is for OFWs and their families suffering from dreaded illnesses or injuries due to an accident or crime.
- Eligible beneficiaries of this program will receive up to P20,000 cash assistance, but this may vary depending on the applicant’s conditions.
- When applying for this program, the applicant should contact the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) (for local applicants) that covers the OFW’s permanent address or the designated POLO-OWWA Office (for overseas applicants) to book an appointment if necessary.
- The concerned OWWA RWO and POLO-OWWA offices will provide the conditions and instructions on how to claim the OWWA Medical Assistance benefit.
- For more information on this program, contact OWWA RWO or POLO-OWWA in your host country.
Video: OWWA MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NON-ACTIVE & ACTIVE OWWA/PHILHEALTH MEMBER / WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
To learn more about the OWWA Medical Assistance benefit, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, OWWA ensures that all OFWs and their families receive medical assistance thru the Welfare Assistance Program. With this program, OFWs and their families with dreaded illnesses, injuries caused by an accident or crime, and other medical conditions will receive cash aid even if not covered by the MEDPlus program. OFWs and their qualified dependents qualify for the OWWA Medical Assistance benefits, given they meet the qualifications and requirements.
Once the applicants secure the documents, they may apply at the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers the OFW’s permanent address if processing in the Philippines. Meanwhile, applicants abroad may apply at the designated POLO-OWWA office in their host country. The OWWA Medical Assistance benefit is also different from MEDPus Program. Therefore, the OWWA Medical Assistance will benefit active and inactive OWWA members and their qualified dependents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWWA Medical Assistance?
The OWWA Medical Assistance is a benefit provided under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP). This cash assistance aims to help OFW OWWA members and their families suffering from dreaded diseases or injuries. Moreover, this program will support those not covered by the MEDPlus program, ensuring OFWs and their families will receive the necessary medical treatment.
How to get OWWA Medical Assistance?
To get OWWA Medical Assistance, the applicant should qualify for the program and secure the documentary requirements for application. If qualified, the applicant should visit OWWA RWO that covers the OFWs permanent address or the designated POLO-OWWA office in the host country. Next, submit the application form and documentary requirements for evaluation. Once approved, present the claim stub to claim the financial aid via check or cash payout.
Who qualifies for OWWA Medical Assistance?
The OWWA Medical Assistance is open for active and inactive OWWA members and their qualified dependents who are not a beneficiary of the MEDPlus program. In addition, the program is for applicants suffering from dreaded illnesses, injuries caused by an accident or crime, and other medical conditions.
For married OFWs dependents, the applicant should be the legal spouse or a child who is single/unmarried and not over 21 years old. If the OFW is single, the dependent should be a parent who is a non-PhilHealth member or a sibling who is single/unmarried and not over 30 years old.
How much is Medical Assistance from OWWA?
The cash aid granted to OWWA Medical Assistance eligible beneficiaries is up to P20,000, and the amount may vary per applicant.
Summary
Considering working overseas can be difficult, OFWs who suddenly got sick and injured due to an accident or crime no longer have to worry since OWWA will provide them with financial assistance to access medical treatment. Whether the OFW has active or inactive membership status, the OWWA Medical Assistance will be beneficial during unfortunate circumstances. This program will also benefit OFWs families, given they meet OWWA’s qualifications and requirements.
Just in case you or a family member suffer from health conditions, the cash aid provided by OWWA ensures you will receive quality healthcare locally or abroad. Remember, OWWA aims to ensure the safety and promote the welfare of OFWs and their families. So if you need further help on how to apply for OWWA Medical Assistance benefit, don’t hesitate to contact OWWA thru their hotline, email, official website, and Facebook page.
