Benefits for Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Members in the Philippines

Legal Framework and Nature of OWWA Membership

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a national government agency attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) created under Presidential Decree No. 1694 (1979), as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1809 (1981), Executive Order No. 195 (1994), Republic Act No. 8042 (1995), Republic Act No. 10022 (2009), and most comprehensively by Republic Act No. 10801 (OWWA Charter, enacted May 11, 2016 and effective June 6, 2016).

Under Section 8 of RA 10801, membership in OWWA is compulsory for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), whether land-based or sea-based, recruited through the POEA/DMOLE or hired through government-to-government arrangements. Membership is acquired upon payment of the US$25.00 (or its peso equivalent) contribution and is valid for the duration of the employment contract, not exceeding two (2) years. It is renewable upon processing of a new contract and payment of another contribution.

A “former OWWA member” is an OFW whose membership has already expired because:

• The employment contract has ended and no new contract was processed;
• The OFW has permanently returned to the Philippines and no longer intends to work abroad;
• The OFW has been repatriated or has voluntarily returned without renewing membership.

Expiration of membership does not automatically entitle the former member to a refund of contributions. The US$25.00 contribution is placed in a trust fund (OWWA Fund under Section 17, RA 10801) and is used collectively for the welfare of all members. There is no individual accrual or refund mechanism similar to Pag-IBIG or SSS.

Benefits Available Only to Active OWWA Members at the Time of Contingency

The general rule under OWWA Board resolutions and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10801 is that insurance-type benefits are claimable only if OWWA membership was active when the contingency occurred.

1. Death Benefit

   • Natural death: ₱100,000.00
   • Accidental death: ₱200,000.00
   • If death occurred during the validity of the contract and while membership was active.
   • Dependents of former members whose membership already expired at the time of death are no longer entitled.

2. Disability/Dismemberment Benefit

   • Up to ₱200,000.00 depending on the schedule of disabilities (OWWA Board Resolution No. 001 Series of 2017, as amended).
   • Contingency must occur while membership is active.

3. Burial Benefit

   • ₱20,000.00 to ₱50,000.00 (depending on existing policy at the time of death).
   • Available only if the deceased was an active member.

4. Total Disability Benefit due to Accident or Sickness

   • ₱100,000.00 to ₱200,000.00 lump sum (if the disability occurred while membership was active).

5. Medicare/PhilHealth Coverage during Employment Abroad

   • OWWA facilitates mandatory PhilHealth coverage for active members. Once membership expires, the OFW must continue PhilHealth contributions voluntarily or through local employment to maintain coverage.

Benefits That Former OWWA Members May Still Avail Of

Despite expiration of membership, certain benefits remain accessible to former members either because the contingency originated during active membership or because the program is specifically designed for returning/reintegrated OFWs.

A. Insurance Claims Arising from Contingencies During Active Membership

Even if the OFW has already returned to the Philippines and membership has expired, claims may still be filed provided the contingency (death, disability, burial) occurred while membership was active. The prescriptive period is generally three (3) years from the date of contingency (OWWA Omnibus Guidelines).

B. Education and Scholarship Programs (for Dependents of Former Members)

1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)

   • ₱60,000.00 per year for a four- or five-year baccalaureate course.
   • Eligibility: The OFW-parent must have been an active member at the time of death or total permanent disability, or must still be an active member at the time of application.
   • Former members whose membership expired but who have no new contingency are generally disqualified unless the OFW is single and the beneficiary is a sibling.

2. OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP)

   • ₱20,000.00 financial assistance per year.
   • Available to dependents of OFWs earning not more than US$600/month (income ceiling).
   • The OFW must have been a member (active or formerly active with proof of contribution) and the dependent must be enrolled in a state college/university.

3. Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)

   • ₱10,000.00 educational assistance per child (maximum four children) + ₱50,000.00 livelihood assistance to the family.
   • Available to survivors of deceased active OWWA members (or members who died during the contract period even if membership technically expired upon repatriation of remains).

4. Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) / Tuloy-Aral Project

   • Short-term technical-vocational courses for former OFWs or their dependents.

C. Reintegration Programs (The Primary Benefits Explicitly Designed for “Former” OFWs)

Section 15(5) of RA 10801 mandates an In-Country Reintegration Program for returning OFWs. These programs are the only OWWA benefits specifically targeted at former overseas workers.

1. Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Program

   • One-time livelihood starter kit worth ₱20,000.00 (as of 2025 policy).
   • Eligibility:
     – Must be a documented OWWA member (active or previously active with proof of at least one contribution);
     – Must be a distressed/displaced OFW (terminated, maltreated, pandemic-affected, etc.) or a balik-manggagawa who no longer wishes to return abroad;
     – No outstanding loan with OWWA/NRCO.
   • This is the most commonly availed benefit by former OWWA members.

2. National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) Programs

   • Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) / OWWA-DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program
     – Loans ranging from ₱100,000.00 to ₱2,000,000.00 (individual or group) with low interest through partner banks/LBP.
     – Requires business plan, training attendance, and proof of previous OWWA membership.
   • Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT)
     – Free skills and business management training.
   • Community Organizing Program
     – Formation of OFW Family Circles (OFCs) and OWWA-recognized associations for cooperative ventures.
   • Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samabayanan (Tulong PUSO)
     – Larger-scale community livelihood projects (₱500,000.00–₱1,000,000.00).

3. Reintegration Preparedness Training (Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurial Training, Techno-Entrepreneurship)

   • Conducted on-site or in-country for returning OFWs.

D. Other Welfare Assistance Available to Former Members in Exceptional Cases

• Emergency repatriation assistance (if the OFW became distressed near the end of contract and was repatriated after membership technically expired).
• Supplemental medical assistance through AKSYON Fund (limited and case-to-case).
• Legal assistance for labor claims filed after return (if the violation occurred while membership was active).
• Counseling and stress debriefing upon return.

Summary Table of Availability for Former OWWA Members

Benefit Type	Available to Former Members?	Conditions/Remarks
Death/Disability/Burial Benefits	Only if contingency occurred while active	Prescriptive period applies
Medicare/PhilHealth during employment	No	Must maintain voluntary contributions
EDSP/ODSP/ELAP Scholarships	Limited (dependents)	Usually requires active status or death/disability during active membership
Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay!	Yes	Most accessible benefit for returning OFWs
NRCO Livelihood Loans & Training	Yes	Proof of previous OWWA membership required
Reintegration Training	Yes	Primary benefit for former OFWs
Refund of US$25 Contribution	No	Contributions are non-refundable

Conclusion

While OWWA membership is temporary and tied to the employment contract, the law and policy recognize that the ultimate goal of overseas employment is successful return and reintegration. Thus, the most substantial continuing benefits for former OWWA members are the reintegration programs administered by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs. Insurance-type benefits, however, are strictly contingent on active membership at the time of the event.

Former OFWs are therefore encouraged to avail of reintegration programs immediately upon permanent return and to maintain documentation of all previous OWWA contributions (OWWA ID, official receipts, OEC copies) as proof of bona fide membership when applying for benefits.

For the latest amounts, eligibility criteria, and application procedures, former members should visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office or the NRCO office in their province.