Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait should know the importance of applying for and renewing OWWA membership in order to get the most out of their benefits, programs, and services. Every two years, OFWs need to renew their accounts while paying a fee that provides a lot of benefits, especially financial assistance for those who are in need. If you haven’t applied for an OWWA account yet, now is the perfect time to do it.
The processing of application and renewal takes place at the Philippine Embassy’s MWO office in Kuwait. Even if you already have health insurance, you might still need help from the government to cover your unexpected medical bills. It doesn’t only cover you, but also your qualified dependents in the Philippines. Make sure to know the requirements before applying or renewing your OWWA.
Requirements for OWWA in Kuwait
Active members are entitled to all the benefits and programs offered by OWWA to OFWs. For instance, you can enjoy life insurance coverage as well as other social benefits including scholarships, training programs, financial aid, disability and death benefits, and healthcare. To get these advantages, you need to submit a list of requirements to apply as an OWWA member or renew your account.
Here are the following required documents to be submitted to the Philippine Embassy for renewal of the OWWA account:
- Duly accomplished OFW Information Sheet Membership Form
- Copy of valid passport
- Two copies of Contract Verification or Certificate of Employment
- Certification from employer or company stating that the OFW is not due for cancellation, termination, or resignation.
- POLO-verified contract
- Payment for the membership fee
OWWA Fees and Payment Process
If you want to enjoy the social services and workers’ support from the Philippine government, you need to pay a contribution fee that is good for two years. To activate your OWWA status, head to the MWO office in Kuwait and pay 8.93 KD for the membership contribution. You can renew your account by presenting proof of active employment overseas.
To pay for the OWWA fee, make sure you bring a duly accomplished Membership Renewal form as well as your Certificate of Employer with the signature of the employer. Proceed to the payment window and settle all the fees that you need to pay. The next step is to go to the OWWA window in order to pay your contributions and wait for your official receipt to be issued after processing all the payments.
Procedure for Getting OWWA Kuwait Appointment Online
Just an important reminder that there’s no appointment required for applicants as of the moment, but make sure to stay updated just in case OWWA makes changes or any announcement stating that OFWs are only allowed if they have booked an appointment for OWWA renewal. Therefore, the office accepts walk-ins who want to apply for or renew their accounts.
On the other hand, you may have noticed that there’s a booking process for OWWA appointments via https://appointment.owwa.gov.ph/ but it’s only for other types of programs, not for the OWWA renewal or payment. The options are only for the interview of workers via phone who executed Quit Claim and SENA, or the Waiver or Sinumpaang Salaysay; Welfare Cases for Visa 17, 18, and 20.
How to Renew OWWA Membership in Kuwait
To activate or renew your OWWA, there are simple steps you need to follow along with some important documents to be submitted to the OWWA-Kuwait office. Make sure to arrive at the premises earlier, especially if there’s a long queue for OWWA members renewing their accounts. Below are the steps you need to do to update your OWWA status:
Step 1: Secure a Membership Renewal form which is available at the OWWA office in Abdulla Hamad Al Hashimi St in Kuwait.
Step 2: Request for a copy of your Contract Verification or Certificate of Employment from your employer with their signature in it.
Step 3: Once your employer signed your COE or Contract Verification, go to the counter for the payment.
Step 4: Pay for the verification of your contract or Certificate of Employment which amounts to 3.250 KD.
Step 5: The staff at the payment window will endorse you to the next window beside the Contract Verification or Certificate of Employment window after paying the fee.
Step 6: Go to the teller and pay the OWWA fee which is only 8.93 KD.
Step 7: Once you have settled all the fees to be paid for membership processing, get your official receipt and save it.
Video: Philippine Embassy Kuwait Contract/OWWA Renewal/Paper Works
In this video, you will see how the entire process of renewing an OWWA account or verifying a contract works. It shows a step-by-step guide for OFWs to keep their memberships active so that they can enjoy all the benefits and programs of the OWWA. There is also a list of required documents provided in the video to help you secure all the requirements before going to the OWWA-Kuwait office for renewal.
Summary
So you already know how to process your membership application and renewal the next time you visit the OWWA office in Kuwait. In addition to this, you can also go to the office to pay for your SSS, Pag-Ibig, and other government contributions at the Philippine Embassy. Since you don’t need to book an appointment online, you can directly go to the office and present all your requirements.
Learning about the OWWA programs and services that are available for OFWs in Kuwait and other countries allows you to benefit from government assistance, especially when you need financial aid during emergencies. This is why it’s important to keep your account active by renewing it every two years in order to ensure you are covered by OWWA in terms of social services and other welfare programs.