Whether you’re an aspiring Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or already living your dream of working abroad, you need to know what the OWWA is all about. As an OWWA member, OFWs and their immediate beneficiaries can access numerous benefits. It’s time to get curious about all of these benefits, the eligibility criteria and requirements to avail them. You can find all this information in one place - right here on this installment of：Now You Know!

What are the medical support options?

Disability and Dismemberment Benefit

The OWWA Disability and Dismemberment Benefit is cash assistance given to OWWA members with a partial or total permanent disability due to an accident.

What is covered?

• Up to a maximum of PHP 100,000 for accident-related injuries

What documents are required?

• Foreign medical certificate
• Medical certificate issued by the local attending physician with medical examination procedure (e.g X-ray, MRI, CT Scan)
• Accident Report/Master’s Report for sea-based OFW

How to avail?

• To make a claim for disability, go to the nearest OWWA office and submit the OWWA disability benefits requirements.

Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs (Medplus)

Medplus or Supplemental medical relief is a benefit offered to active OWWA and PhilHealth member-OFWs who are afflicted with dreaded diseases and were hospitalized, either at the job sites or while in the Philippines.

What is covered?

• Financial assistance equivalent to the PhilHealth benefits under its case rate system but not to exceed PHP 50,000 per member

What documents are required?

• Duly accomplished MEDplus application form
• Copy of PhilHealth Benefit Payment Notice (BPN*)
• One (1) copy of passport-size picture
• Proof of OWWA membership contribution (OWWA O.R., OFW membership record)
• Duly notarized Special Power of Attorney executed by the OFW, if the OFW is abroad and filer-claimant is the next-of-kin (NOK)
• PSA- authenticated death certificate of deceased OFW and marriage contract or birth certificate of NOK-claimant, if the OFW is deceased.

* Benefit Payment Notice (BPN) is a report of actual payments made by PhilHealth relative to one's confinement/availment.

How to avail?

• OFWs can avail of the MEDplus program within their OWWA membership validity period. But they are still covered within 60 days after the expiry of their membership with OWWA.
• To avail of the MEDplus benefits for hospitalization, visit the nearest OWWA Regional Office and submit the OWWA medical assistance requirements. Processing a MEDplus application takes three days after submission of complete documents and confirmation of PhilHealth benefit payment.

What support is available during times of distress or death?

Death and Burial Benefits

The OWWA Death Benefit is cash assistance paid to family members of active OWWA members who have died within the duration of their employment contract.

What is covered?

• PHP 100,000 for natural cause
• PHP 200,00.00 for accidental cause
• On top of the death benefit, a rider of PHP 20,000 will be received by the beneficiaries for the funeral expenses

What documents are required?

• Original Death Certificate issued by the local civil registrar or authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
• Foreign Death Certificate for OFWs who died abroad including Airway Bill and Consular Mortuary Certificate or No Objection Certificate
• Accident Report for death due to accident
• Burial permit
• Official receipt of funeral expenses
• 2 valid IDs and 1 pc. ID picture of the claimant
• Certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) of OFW from PSA
• Any of the applicable documents certified by the local civil registrar (LCR) or PSA: Marriage certificate - if the claimant is the spouse Birth certificate of OFW - if the claimant is father or motherBirth certificate of the child and death certificate of deceased spouse - if the claimant is the child
• Affidavit of Undertaking executed by the claimant (Police report if death is due to an accident)

How to avail?

• Gather all the required documents that support the claim for the deceased OFW’s OWWA death benefits and submit them to the nearest OWWA Regional Office

Repatriation Assistance Program

The Repatriation Assistance Program involves bringing back distressed OFWs and human remains. Emergency repatriation is carried out in the event of any political unrest or natural calamities.

What support is offered to workers?

• airport assistance
• temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home
• psycho-social counseling
• stress debriefing
• transport services or fares for their onward travel to their respective provinces

What documents are required?

• Valid original passport
• Accomplished Intake Sheet Form
• Employment contract or other proof of work overseas
• Proof of repatriation such as boarding pass

What is the Welfare Assistance Program?

The Welfare Assistance Program is extended to active or inactive OWWA members or their families not eligible under any of the existing OWWA Social Benefit Programs and Services

What support is offered to workers?

• Calamity Assistance - for OWWA members and their families affected by natural or human-induced calamities/disasters
• Bereavement Assistance - for families of deceased OWWA members
• Medical Assistance - for OWWA members who have illnesses that are not covered under MEDplus and for members who sustained injuries due to accidents/crimes
• Relief Assistance - for OWWA members who were displaced/laid-off en masse due to economic/political/health situations

How to claim cash benefits under the OWWA Welfare Assistance Program?

• Visit or contact the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (for OFWs currently in the Philippines)
• Or visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office/POLO (for OFWs working abroad) to inquire about the requirements and procedures

How does OWWA support education and training?

Pre-Departure Education Program

• Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)

A one-day compulsory orientation to OFWs consisting of modules on employment contract, country of destination, stages of the OFWs’ life abroad, health and safety, financial literacy, travel tips and airport procedures, and government programs and services.

This is attended by all workers (all skills) prior to their deployment abroad.

• Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP)

A four or six-day orientation seminar attended by Domestic Workers (DWs) consisting of language training, culture familiarization, and stress management.

Training Programs For Filipino Seafarers

Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)

For seafarers, they are entitled to cash assistance of up to PHP 7,500 for job-related training or courses to help upgrade their skills

* Succeeding availments every after three (3) recorded membership contributions

What documents are required?

• Proof of OWWA membership
• Accomplished Application Form
• Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book and/or Passport (valid original copy)
• 2”x2” photo (2 copies)

Mariner's Dugtong Aral (Bridging) Program

Mariner’s Dugtong Aral is a scholarship grant for prospective seafarers who are graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and BS Electrical Engineering (BSEE) who wish to pursue BSMarine Engineering (BSMarE) course, in the following order of priority:

1. OFW-seafarers who are active members of OWWA
2. Immediate dependents/beneficiaries of OFWs, both land-based and sea-based, who are active or former members of OWWA
3. Next-of-kin of OFWs up to the first degree of consanguinity

What documents are required?

• Birth Certificate / Proof of Relation to the OFW
• Transcript of Records
• Declaration of no current and pending application for scholarship with OWWA and other NGAs/NGOs

What scholarships are available for dependents?

Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

The Education for Development Scholarship Program grant is offered to qualified dependents of active OWWA members who intend to pursue a 4-5 year baccalaureate course in any preferred colleges or universities.

What is covered?

• Financial assistance of PHP 60,000 per school year

What are the eligibility requirements for incoming freshmen?

• The member-OFW must have an active membership with OWWA at the time of the application
• The dependent-applicant must be single and not be more than 21 years old
• Must have an average grade of at least 80% and belongs to the upper 20% of the graduating class
• Must pass the qualifying examination conducted by DOST and belongs to the top 400 examination passer

What are the eligibility requirements for those who are already enrolled in 2nd to 5th year college?

• Single
• Not more than 30 years old
• With a GWA not lower than B letter grade or 85% equivalent in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended in full load

What are the documents required?

• Accomplished EDSP Application Form (2 copies)
• 2x2 ID Photos (2 copies)
• Birth Certificate authenticated by PSA
• Certificate of good moral character
• Form 137 for incoming first-year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
• Certification from the principal that the applicant obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 80% and that he/she belongs to the top 20% of the graduating class

OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP)

The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program offers educational assistance of P 20,000 per school year to qualified dependents of an active OWWA member-OFW whose salary is not more than US$600.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Child of an active OWWA member or sibling of an unmarried OWWA member
• Single and not more than 21 years old for incoming freshmen
• Not more than 30 years old for those who are already enrolled or have been enrolled in college
• Must pass the entrance examination conducted by state college/university in OWWA Regional Welfare Offices where he/she intends to enroll
• Must not be a recipient of any other scholarship grants

What are the documents required?

• Accomplished Application Form (2 copies)
• 2x2 ID Photos (2 copies)
• Proof of relationship to OWWA member (e.g PSA or Local Civil Registry (LCR)-authenticated birth certificate and certificate of no marriage if OFW is single)
• Form 137 for incoming first-year college or Transcript of Records or Certificate of Grades for those already enrolled in college
• Medical certificate/clearance from any DOH-accredited hospital/center/clinic
• Certificate of good moral character issued by the principal/guidance counselor
• Accomplished original copy of the Scholarship Agreement

Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)

The Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) is a scholarship grant offered for a dependent of OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death, including convicted OFWs facing death penalty in host country.

How many dependents are eligible?

• Only one child, usually the eldest child of member-OFW is given a scholarship grant.

What is covered?

• PHP 5,000 - allowance for elementary
• PHP 8,000 - allowance for high school
• PHP 10,000 - allowance for college
• Livelihood assistance: the surviving heir shall receive PHP 15,000 worth of livelihood package

What are the documents required for the educational assistance benefits?

• Accomplished Application Form
• 2 pcs. Passport size pictures
• Proof of relationship to OWWA Member (e.g. PSA or Local Civil Registry (LCR)-authenticated birth certificate)
• Proof of OWWA membership of the OFW-member
• School Records (Form 137/138, Transcript of Records, Certificate of true copy of grades for those who are already in college)
• Medical Certificate/clearance from any DOH-accredited hospital/medical center
• Certificate of good moral character issued by the school principal/guidance counselor
• Original copy of the Scholarship Agreement

What are the documents required for the livelihood assistance benefits?

• Accomplished Application Form
• 2 pcs. Passport size pictures
• Proof of relationship to OWWA Member (e.g PSA or Local Civil Registry (LCR)-authenticated birth certificate)
• Proof of OWWA membership of the OFW-member
• Certificate of receipt of the livelihood package
• Consent from the intended beneficiary (spouse or parent) that he/she is not interested in the project and is delegating the authority to his/her designated beneficiary who is willing to assume the responsibility for the family

What are the additional Requirements for Dependents of Convicted OFWs?

• Member-OFWs name in the official list from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of OFWs who are incarcerated/convicted and meted out of the death penalty in foreign countries as of February 2016
• For OWWA members who are not included in the list, a certification from DFA shall be required

How does OWWA assist OFWs at their job sites and their families at home?

OWWA offers on-site support for OFWs at their job sites by providing the following services:

• Assistance on OFW’s whereabouts
• Psycho-social counseling
• Mediation/conciliation with employer
• Airport assistance
• Hospital/prison/work camp visitations
• Legal assistance to OFWs who wish to pursue labor/welfare case against their employer in the host country

For families at home, OWWA offers assistance through the following services:

• Requests from families and next-of-kins (NOKs) for assistance from OWWA overseas posts
• Post-repatriation assistance
• Temporary shelter at OWWA Halfway House
• Transportation allowance to their provinces
• Stress Debriefing/ Counseling
• Referral

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What support does OWWA provide OFWs returning to the Philippines?

To support OFWs returning to their homes in the Philippines, OWWA has organized the following reintegration programs:

Reintegration Preparedness (in the country where the OFW works)

• Value formation training
• Financial literacy
• Entrepreneurial development training
• Techno-skills and capacity building

Reintegration (in the Philippines)

• Job referrals
• Business counseling
• Community organizing
• Financial literacy seminar
• Networking with support institutions
• Social preparation implemented by OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs)