As the official service arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) caters to the needs and well-being of its member OFWs and the rest of the migrant Filipino workers worldwide. In keeping up with its mandate, OWWA has launched programs like the OWWA Social Benefits to offer services and assistance to millions of migrant Filipino workers across the globe and their families in the country.
Also Read: Complete List of OWWA Programs, Benefits, and Services
The OWWA Social Benefits Program is among the major projects offered by OWWA, first, to its active members, then to those OFWs with expired memberships. The privileges include health care support, disability and death benefits, and family welfare assistance, all in exchange for US$25.00—the cost of a two-year OWWA membership fee.
List of OWWA Social Benefits
To keep up with its mandate as an agency, OWWA offers social benefits to help lighten the financial burden of their member OFWs by providing support for their needs, particularly those that arise from certain events or emergency circumstances like sickness, unemployment, calamity, disability, dismemberment, or death.
The following are the specific social benefits that OWWA members and their dependents can enjoy:
1. Disability and Dismemberment
Getting in an accident or sustaining an injury is something that no one can be fully prepared for. After all, both can cause either disability or dismemberment. For working individuals like OFWs, sustaining injuries resulting in a limited ability to do things (disability), or loss of body use, parts, or function (dismemberment) may cause problems, since getting treated and being unable to work don’t exactly go well together.
Thankfully, there exists a disability and dismemberment benefit under the OWWA Social Benefits Program—an OWWA program specifically designed to support active OWWA members.
Benefits
An OWWA member who sustained injuries as a result of an accident while working is entitled to the following disability and dismemberment benefits:
- Cash assistance of up to fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) for partial disability.
- A maximum of one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) in cash in cases of total permanent disability.
Qualifications
Any active OWWA member who sustained injuries resulting in disability or dismemberment while working abroad are eligible to apply for the program.
Requirements
To avail of the disability and dismemberment privileges under the OWWA Social Benefit Program, availees may need to get the following documentary requirements prepared:
- Accident Report or Master’s Report (for seafarer) provided by the Employer
- At least one (1) valid I.D. of authorized claimant
- Copy of the OFW’s Passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) from MARINA
- Foreign Medical Certificate with English Translation secured from OWWA-POLO
- If the claimant is not the OFW, submit an Authorization Letter along with the ID of the OFW
- Medical Certificate with indicated procedure of the medical examination of the doctor in Philippines issued by a legitimate medical institution or facility
- OFW Membership Record (MR) from OWWA RWO
- One (1) copy of 1×1 picture
Application Procedures
- Secure an appointment to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) for local applications or at the POLO OWWA office in your country of employment, for applicants abroad by:
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
- On the day of the preferred date of appointment, visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) closest to the OFW’s permanent residence.
- Secure a priority number (ticket) and wait for your turn.
- Once your number is called, present your OFW I.D. and info to the Membership Verification Desk.
- Depending on the status of the OWWA membership, obtain the application form and a list of requirements.
- Complete the form and submit along with the necessary documentation.
- You will receive a claim stub which you will need to present when claiming the financial help paid either via check or cash, once your application has been granted.
2. Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs (MEDplus)
The Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs also known as the MEDplus Program is a collaborative supplemental medical relief program launched by OWWA and PhilHealth under the OWWA Social Benefit Program. It offers a one-time medical or financial assistance similar to that of a health maintenance organization (HMO) to supplement the PhilHealth benefits in the event of hospitalization due to dreaded diseases.
MEDplus offers eligible availees benefits equivalent to that of PhilHealth case rate benefit system to help pay for their hospital or medical bills.
Benefits
MEDplus offers a financial assistance program to supplement their PhilHealth benefits and help qualified members pay for their hospital or medical bills amounting to up to a maximum of fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) per member based on the PhilHealth case rate system.
Qualifications
MEDplus, like the other offers under the OWWA Social Benefits Program, is available to active OWWA members, except it only works for those who have active PhilHealth membership.
Requirements
The following lists all the documentary requirements for availing the privileges offered by MEDplus:
- If the family of OFW will claim the assistance because:
- The OFW is overseas: Duly-notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the OFW
- The OFW is deceased: Death certificate of deceased OFW or Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate of NOK-claimant issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- Medical Certificate issued by competent medical practitioner from a legitimate medical institution or 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
Application Procedures
- Secure an appointment to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) by:
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
- On the day of the preferred date of appointment, visit the OWWA RWO, located near the OFW’s permanent residence.
- Secure a priority number (ticket) and wait for a response.
- Present your current ID for verification of OWWA membership record at the Social Benefits Unit counter
- Once confirmed, secure the MedPlus Application Form and other required documentation if your membership and PhilHealth Member Data Records (MDR) are valid.
- Accomplish the MEDplus Application form with your personal information and submit the completed form with all the required documents.
- then show your claim stub and request financial help in the form of a check or cash payment.
- 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 is inevitable and unexpected. Unless you’ve been sick for a long time, there’s no telling when you’ll be called to meet your Maker. More often than not, we deny death until it comes knocking at your front door. That said, not everyone has the insight to prepare for the eventuality of their death. The families are even more unprepared for the cost of death most of the time, putting pressure on already strained finances in cases of death of the breadwinner.
Thankfully, OWWA’s Social Benefits Program has death and burial benefits offered to OFWs in cases like this.
Benefits
Under the death and burial provisions of the OWWA Social benefit program, OFW dependents are entitle to the following benefits:
- Death Benefit
- Up to one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) for natural deaths
- For accidental deaths, financial assistance amounting to up to two hundred thousand pesos (Php 200,000.00)
- Burial Gratuity
- One-time funeral grant amounting to twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) to help them bury their loved ones properly
Qualifications
This death and burial provisions of the OWWA Social Benefit is open to qualified dependents of deceased OFW members. The dependents may either be:
- Children of OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of their death
- Living spouse of OWWA member OFWs
Requirements
- Affidavit of Undertaking executed by the claimant
- Burial Permit
- Official Receipt of payment in funeral issued by the City or Municipal LGU
- Copy of Passport or Seaman’s Identification Record Book (SIRB) of the OFW
- Death Certificate (local o foreign; police or accident report – if death was caused by accident) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the Local Civil Registrar (LCR)
- OFW Membership Record (MR)
- Proof of Relationship to OFW Member
- For unmarried OFWs: OFW Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
- Marriage Certificate
- For claimants who are parents of the deceased: Birth Certificate of OFW, if the claimant is the parent
- For claimants who are children of the deceased: Birth Certificate of the claimant
- For claimants who are living spouses of the deceased OFW: Death Certificate of deceased spouse
- Two (2) Valid IDs
- One (1) copy of (1×1) ID Picture of claimant
Application Procedures
- Secure an appointment to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) by:
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
- On the day of the appointment, visit the OWWA RWO located near the OFW’s permanent residence.
- Get a number for the queue and wait for your turn.
- Submit the ID and information to the Membership Verification Desk, where you can get an application form and a checklist of requirements based on your membership status.
- For validation and evaluation, submit the completed claim form along with the necessary documents.
- Using your claim stub, claim the financial benefits issued either via check or cash if your application has been granted.
4. Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)
Under the Social Benefits offered by OWWA is an OFW support program known as Welfare Assistance Program (WAP). WAP offers different kinds of cash assistance to active or inactive OWWA members who are not yet qualified for any other existing OWWA programs.
Under the WAP, active or inactive OWWA member OFWs can receive the following assistance:
- Calamity Assistance
Cash assistance for OWWA members and their families residing in places affected by natural calamities like super typhoons, earthquakes, major flooding, etc.
- Bereavement assistance
Cash assistance offered to OFW beneficiaries in cases when the OWWA member OFW dies.
- Disability Assistance
OWWA member OFW who have fallen victim to crimes or accidents resulting in disability are eligible for the disability assistance under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP).
- Medical Assistance
OWWA members who suffer from illnesses that are not covered by MEDplus can get medical support in the form of cash grant under the WAP Medical Assistance Program.
- Relief Assistance
OWWA also offers relief assistance for OFW members who have been moved or laid off due to economic, political, or health crises, insolvency, or other unexpected circumstances.
Benefits
1. Calamity Assistance
Under the calamity assistance program, OWWA member OFWs can get:
- For natural disasters: Cash assistance of Php 500.00 (inactive members) and Php 1,000.00 (active members).
- For man-made disasters: Cash assistance amounting to Php 1,500.00 (inactive members) and Php 3,000.00 (active members).
2. Bereavement Assistance
In case when an inactive OWWA member OFW dies, families can claim the following benefits:
- Cash assistance amounting to up to twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00).
3. Medical Assistance
If the OWWA member OFW is not qualified to avail of the provisions of MEDplus:
- He/she can avail of medical cash assistance if he suffers from diseases or sustain a crime- or accident-related injury.
4. Relief Assistance
Cash assistance is also given to OFWs who are distressed or displaced because of crises in the economy, politics, and health under the WAP Relief Assistance Program.
Qualifications
The provisions of the programs offered under the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) is open to OWWA member OFWS, active or otherwise, and their qualified dependents.
Requirements
- Bereavement Assistance
- At least two (2) valid I.D.s of the claimant
- Medical Certificate or Examination Procedure Result
- Accident or Police Report
- If the claimant is not the OFW: Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
- Government-issued or company-issued ID
- Calamity Assistance
- At least two (2) valid I.D.s of the OFW or the claimant
- If the claimant is not the OFW: Authorization Letter along with the OFW’s ID
- Barangay Certificate to prove that the claimant/OFW is a resident of the disaster- or emergency-affected community
- If the claimant is a victim of fire incident: A Certification from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
Note: Calamity Assistance can be claimed by OFW members or their qualified dependents if they are residing in areas that the Local Government Unit (LGU) or the Office of the President has declared to be under a State of Calamity.
- Disability Assistance
- At least two (2) valid IDs of the claimant
- Medical Certificate or Examination Procedure Result
- Accident or Police Report
- If the claimant is not the OFW: Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
- Medical Assistance
- At least two (2) valid IDs of either the OFW or the claimant
- If the claimant is not the OFW: Authorization Letter along with the ID of the OFW
- Original Medical Certificate or Medical Abstract showing the PTR No. of the Attending Physician
- Relief Assistance
- At least two (2) valid IDs of either the OFW or the claimant
- If the claimant is not the OFW: Authorization Letter along with the ID of the OFW
- Proof of Displacement
- Termination of Contract
- Termination of Working Visa
- Certification issued by the OWWA-POLO with jurisdiction over the OFW’s job site
Application Procedures
To enjoy any of the provisions of the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) offered by the OWWA, here are the procedures to follow:
- Secure an appointment to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) by:
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph).
- Using the appointment scheduler on the OWWA Mobile App.
- On the day of the appointment, visit the OWWA RWO closest to the OFW’s permanent address.
- Secure a priority number (ticket) and wait for your number to be called.
- Present the OFW ID at the Membership Verification Desk and acquire an application form and a list of requirements depending on the OWWA membership status.
- Accomplish and submit the completed claim form along with the supporting documentary requirements for validation and evaluation.
- Present the claim stub you received upon application and secure the financial help you need either via check or cash payout, upon approval.
Video: Social Benefits Guide from OWWA
The OWWA Social Benefits Program offers a lot of privileges to OWWA member OFWs. To learn more about the program, watch this Youtube video posted by Zennibit entitled, “OWWA Social Benefits Program Para Sa OFWs at Dependents” in this link below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more information, here are some of the most common questions and answers regarding the OWWA social benefit project:
1. What are the projects included in the OWWA Social Benefits Program?
The OWWA Social Benefits include programs that offer assistance in the form of disability and dismemberment, death and burial, Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDplus), and Welfare Assistance Program (WAP).
2. Who is qualified for the OWWA Social Benefits?
OFWs who are either active or inactive OWWA members or their eligible dependents may avail of and enjoy the privileges of the OWWA Social Benefits.
3. Can I still participate in the OWWA Social Benefits program if the cost of the needs exceeds the program’s allotted amount?
Yes. You may still participate in the program, but you will have to cover for any costs exceeding the program’s allotted coverage.
4. Where do I claim the OWWA Social benefits?
To claim the provisions of any of the OWWA Social Benefits, you may visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) to the OFWs permanent address or visit the POLO-OWWA office with jurisdiction over the OFWs’ workplace.
5. Can I avail of the OWWA Social benefits if I am an inactive OWWA member?
Yes. The Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) which is one of the OWWA Social Benefits is specifically designed to help OFWs who are not eligible to enjoy other OWWA programs. This includes active and inactive OWWA member OFWs and their qualified dependents as well.
6. What is the difference between MEDplus and WAP’s Medical Assistance?
Under MEDplus, an OWWA member OFW must be active and must have active PhilHealth membership to enjoy the case rate system equivalent to the benefits from PhilHealth. For WAP, on the other hand, an OFW may either be active or inactive OWWA member and he or she doesn’t have to have active PhilHealth membership to apply for the program.
Summary
As the premiere government agency in charge of the welfare and protection of OFWs and their dependents, OWWA has launched numerous projects geared towards the same goal. One such project is the OWWA Social Benefits Program, a program designed to cater to the needs of OFWs in cases of unforeseen or emergency circumstances like unexpected illnesses, accidents, unemployment, man-made or natural calamities, permanent or temporary disability, dismemberment, or death.
The social benefits include provisions for medical assistance, death, sickness, calamities, and disability and dismemberment. These benefits are meant to help OFWs enjoy a peace of mind, knowing that OWWA has their backs in case emergencies arise. While it’s best to keep the OWWA Membership status active for optimum coverage, these programs are also designed to support inactive members as well.
Contact Information
In case you still have questions or concerns regarding the OWWA Social Benefits, you may also reach out to OWWA via the following contact information:
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph, commandcenter@dole.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
You also have the option to reach out to OWWA at any time via the OWWA 24/7 Operations Center by reaching out through any of the following contact information:
Landline: (+632)833-OWWA or (+632)833-6992
Globe Hotline: 2917 (Press “3” for OWWA)
Mobile/SMS text messaging: (0917)TXT-OWWA or (0917)898-6992
Facsimile: +63-2-8040638
Email address: opcenter@owwa.gov.ph/ owwa_opcenter@yahoo.com