The Philippine Consulate General office located in Los Angeles is the go-to place for Overseas Filipino Workers in California who need to process their OWWA memberships and other government-related documents. When it comes to improving the lives and employment of OFWs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration continues to find better ways to protect their rights specifically in terms of work contracts that follow California and Philippine labor laws, standards, and norms.
OFWs who apply for and renew their OWWA accounts are eligible for OWWA benefits, programs, and other projects including welfare services. For a small contribution, you can enjoy a wide range of assistance from the government during difficult times. If you’re already an OWWA member, it’s important to renew your account every two years to maximize all the benefits.
Requirements for OWWA in Los Angeles
All members need to submit some required documents to renew their memberships every two years regardless of their job site, contract term, recruitment agency, or change of employer. Also, you need to present proof of active employment in order to get your status renewed. Here are the requirements you need to prepare when renewing your account:
- Duly accomplished OWWA Membership Form or OFW Information Sheet
- Copy of valid Philippine passport including personal details and photo
- Copy of current Employment Contract
- Payment for the OWWA fee
- Copy of valid work visa or work permit
- Copy of Certificate of Employment or latest payslip
OWWA Fees and Payment Process
To become an OWWA member, you need to pay a contribution amount of US$25 during the application or renewal process. The validity is two years for every contribution paid to OWWA and it comes with benefits and assistance programs you may need in the future. In addition to the OWWA fee, you can also pay other government contributions at the PCG office in LA.
When paying for the contribution amount, you need to submit a list of requirements in order to process your renewal. At the payment counter, settle the fee and get your receipt which will be released on the same day. Make sure to keep all the transaction documents just in case you will need them the next time you visit the PCG.
Procedure for Getting OWWA Los Angeles Appointment Online
You can inquire about booking an appointment for OWWA renewal at the PCG-Los Angeles office. It also accommodates inquiries and other concerns related to government account applications such as SSS and Pag-Ibig. The following are the steps in scheduling an appointment to renew your membership in LA, California:
Step 1: Contact the MWO office in Los Angeles to verify your OWWA status via their phone number at (213) 944-2599 or +1 213-944-2519 or (213) 223-1120.
Step 2: Get an appointment for your OWWA renewal processing.
Step 3: Confirm your appointment before heading to the MWO office to ensure you are expected on the said date.
How to Renew OWWA Membership in Los Angeles, California
Perhaps, you are hesitant to apply for membership or renew your OWWA due to a busy schedule. You might also have a hard time scheduling because of your changing day-offs with other tasks at hand. Well, it’s better to find time to process your account because it will give you benefits and assistance in times of need. So, make sure to squeeze in your schedule a visit to OWWA for your insurance which is also beneficial to your family in the Philippines.
Once you have a confirmed appointment at the PCG office in LA, you can visit to renew your OWWA and pay for the fees. During your scheduled visit, do the following steps to process your account:
Step 1: Bring your requirements and other important documents that OWWA may need to look into.
Step 2: At the OWWA window, ask for the fees you need to settle and pay them.
Step 3: After paying the contribution amount, make sure to get your receipt for future use.
If you are visiting the MWO office in Los Angeles to acquire an Overseas Employment Certificate, you can activate your OWWA status at the same time.
Now, if you are far from Los Angeles or Washington DC, the most convenient and fastest way to renew your OWWA account is to use the OWWA Mobile App. Applying or renewing your membership online can be easy with a few taps on your mobile device. Just download the app and start the registration process. In the Philippines, you can also ask a family member to pay the fee through accepted payment options.
Video: Attention for OFW: Paano Mag Renew ng OWWA Membership
In this video, you will see a step-by-step process of renewing your OWWA account in the most convenient way possible. With a few simple steps for online renewal, you can avoid the hassles of going to the physical office of MWO near you to check and update your status. Based on personal experience, you can easily complete the process with a few clicks on your phone using the OWWA mobile app.
Summary
You should have learned now how to renew your OWWA account in Los Angeles, California. With Philippine consular services held in the city occasionally, it’s important to understand how you can benefit from OWWA programs as an OFW in the US. The best way to keep updated with the current activities of the MWO is to follow the PCG Consulate’s official Facebook page to see when and how you can register or renew your account.
Make sure to check your requirements before getting an appointment with the MWO office in LA. Incomplete requirements will not be processed as per the rules of OWWA and the Philippine Consulate General offices. While you can visit the office directly, it’s more convenient to contact them prior to visiting so that you can prepare for the entire process.