If you are an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), you may be wondering what benefits you can get from being a member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). OWWA is a government agency that provides various programs and services to protect and promote your welfare and well-being while working abroad. For a US$25.00 membership contribution, you can enjoy different forms of financial assistance, education and training, repatriation, reintegration, and other OWWA benefits before, during, and after your overseas employment.

In this blog post, we will guide you on how to avail OWWA benefits as an OFW. We will also provide some tips on how to maximize your OWWA membership.

What are the OWWA Benefits for OFWs?

OWWA offers a wide range of benefits for OFWs and their families. Here are some of them:

• OWWA Loan for OFW – This is a business loan that allows OFWs and their families to borrow money at a low interest rate for starting or expanding a business. The loan amount ranges from PHP 100,000 to PHP 5 million depending on the type of business and project cost-sharing. The loan can be used for working capital or fixed asset acquisition. The loan term is up to 7 years with a grace period of up to 2 years.
• OWWA Disability and Dismemberment Benefit – This is cash assistance given to OWWA members with partial or total permanent disability due to an accident. The benefit amount is PHP 2,500 to PHP 25,000 for partial disability and PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 for total permanent disability.
• OWWA Death Benefit – This is cash assistance given to the beneficiaries of an active OWWA member who died due to natural causes or accident. The benefit amount is PHP 100,000 for natural death and PHP 200,000 for accidental death.
• OWWA Education and Training Programs – These are scholarship grants and skills training programs offered by OWWA in partnership with TESDA and other institutions. Some of these programs are:
  • Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) – This is a scholarship grant worth up to PHP 60,000 per school year for qualified dependents of active OWWA members who wish to pursue a four- or five-year baccalaureate course in any college or university.
  • Overseas Filipino Workers Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP) – This is similar to EDSP but intended for dependents of active OWWA members who belong to the low-income group.
  • Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) – This is a scholarship grant worth up to PHP 60,000 per school year for qualified dependents of active OWWA members who wish to pursue courses in science and technology.
  • Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) – This is a scholarship grant worth up to PHP 14,500 per course for qualified OFWs or their dependents who wish
    to undergo short-term vocational or technical courses in accredited training centers.
  • Information Technology Training Program (ITTP) – This is a free basic computer literacy program offered by OWWA in partnership with Microsoft Philippines. It aims
    to enhance the digital skills of OFWs and their families.
• OWWA Repatriation Program – This program provides assistance to distressed OFWs who need
  to return home due to war, calamity,
  illness,
  abuse,
  or termination
  of contract. The assistance includes airport assistance,
  temporary shelter,
  transportation allowance,
  stress debriefing,
  and legal counseling.
• OWWA Reintegration Program – This program aims
  to help returning OFWs reintegrate into their families
  and communities through livelihood opportunities,
  employment referrals,
  psycho-social counseling,
  and community organizing.

How to Avail OWWA Benefits as an OFW?

To avail any of the OWWA benefits listed above,
you need to be an active member of OWWA first.
You can become an active member by paying the US$25.00 membership contribution every two years either upon processing your contract at POEA or voluntarily registering at any OWWA office abroad.

Once you are an active member, you can apply for any benefit that suits your needs and eligibility requirements.