OWWA benefits: what members and their families can claim

The main benefits

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All from OWWA’s Citizen’s Charter 2026, the guide OWWA publishes for each of its services.

Death and burial

The Charter calls the death benefit “an insurance benefit to survivors of deceased OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death”. RA 10801 Sec. 35(e) sets the same amounts: PHP 100,000 for natural death, PHP 200,000 for accidental death, and a PHP 20,000 burial benefit.

The family member who claims needs, among other papers:

• the member’s OWWA membership record and passport (or Seaman’s Book),
• two valid IDs and an ID photo of the claimant,
• the death certificate, local or foreign, and a police or accident report if the death was an accident,
• the burial permit and the official receipt from the funeral,
• an affidavit of undertaking, and
• proof of relationship: a marriage certificate for a spouse, the member’s birth certificate for a parent, or the child’s birth certificate. For a single member, the member’s CENOMAR.

Disability

The Charter pays for disabilities caused by an accident: PHP 2,500 to PHP 25,000 for partial disability, and PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 for total or permanent disability. Where in each range you fall depends on OWWA’s medical evaluation.

RA 10801 Sec. 35(e) gives different figures: PHP 2,000 to PHP 50,000 for disability and dismemberment, and PHP 100,000 for total permanent disability. The law lets OWWA’s Board raise benefits. This page follows the 2026 Charter, because it is what OWWA applies to claims now.

The papers include a foreign medical certificate with an English translation, a medical certificate from a doctor in the Philippines showing the examination, and an accident report (or the Master’s Report for seafarers).

Medical and welfare help

• MEDPLUS. For members “afflicted with dreaded disease”. OWWA shares in the hospital bill up to the PhilHealth case rate, and not more than PHP 50,000 per member. You need the Benefit Payment Notice from PhilHealth and a medical certificate. If you are abroad and family files for you, they need a notarised special power of attorney.
• Welfare Assistance Program (WAP). Cash relief for active or non-active members and their families who do not qualify under the other benefits: after a declared calamity, a death in the family, a disability from a crime or accident, or an illness MEDPLUS does not cover. The Charter does not state the amounts.
• Welfare cases. Any situation where an OFW or the family “needs assistance due to problems affecting their well-being, employment, or safety”. OWWA’s Workers Assistance Unit handles it.

How to claim

1. Go to OWWA. The Charter lists these claims at OWWA’s Regional Welfare Offices in the Philippines. From abroad, ask the OWWA desk at your Migrant Workers Office how to start a claim.
2. Membership check. Staff check your membership record and tell you whether you qualify.
3. Hand in the claim. The form and the papers for that benefit.
4. Release. If approved, the money is released at the cashier. Bring two valid IDs.

The Charter lists about 3 weeks for death, burial and MEDPLUS claims, about 15 days for disability claims and about 3 weeks for welfare assistance. It adds that times “may vary from one RWO to another”, especially after disasters.

Questions can go to OWWA’s 24/7 hotline, 1348, or owwacares@owwa.gov.ph.

Only for active members

Death, burial, disability and MEDPLUS are for active members. Your membership is active until your contract ends, or for two years from the start of the contract, whichever comes first (RA 10801 Sec. 9). The Welfare Assistance Program and the reintegration cash help also reach non-active members. For your children’s schooling, see OWWA scholarships. See OWWA membership to check or renew yours.

OWWA’s benefits are fixed amounts for specific events. Agency-hired OFWs also have the separate compulsory insurance their agency arranges.