OWWA Financial Benefits for OFWs
As an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), you’re constantly looking for new ways to stretch your income and meet your family’s needs. What you may not realize, however, is that you have tons of options lying right under your nose.
Most OFWs are familiar with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, or OWWA. What many may not know, however, are the various benefits members can avail of from this government agency. As an institution affiliated with the Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE), OWWA offers several modes of financial assistance geared especially
towards OFWs.
By taking advantage of OWWA’s membership benefits, you can save more money and pay for other essentials like home renovations, comprehensive car insurance, or a retirement fund for your future. Here we shall be focusing on programs and services offered for members who need some form of financial assistance.
Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
If you’re worried about how to send your son, daughter, or younger sibling to college, you can consider is OWWA’s scholarship programs. If you’re an OWWA member, you can sign up for the EDSP provided your dependent meets OWWA’s qualifications.
The most substantial of OWWA’s available scholarships is the Education for Development Scholarship Program, or EDSP. This entitles qualified scholars to a maximum amount of PHP 60,000 of financial assistance per school year. The EDSP is good for four to five years of undergraduate/ baccalaureate schooling in any college or university.
OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)
The second scholarship option available from OWWA, the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP) is open to OFW parents with a monthly salary not exceeding USD 400. Scholars can avail of a maximum of PHP 20,000 in financial assistance per school year, leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university.
Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)
Another OWWA scholarship program is the ELAP, which extends financial assistance to the dependents of deceased member OFWs. Unlike the previous two scholarships which are exclusively for tertiary education, this program also covers primary and secondary schooling as well as livelihood expenses.
ELAP grants consist of PHP 5,000 for elementary school, PHP 8,000 for high school, PHP 10,000 for college (per school year), and livelihood assistance of PHP 15,000 for the surviving spouse.
Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)
While the last three scholarships are targeted at OFW dependents, the Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP) is targeted at OFW seafarers. Members can avail of this scholarship in order to pay for their attendance to short-term upgrading courses and advance their careers.
First availment consists of PHP 7,500 in training assistance, with availment in another training course every after 3 recorded memberships.
Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is also available for member OFWs, specifically those who want to add to their income by taking up another trade through government-sponsored training.
This scholarship covers attendance to a short-term training program, leading to the completion of a vocational or technical course in any school accredited by TESDA. Scholars may receive a maximum of PHP 14,500 in financial assistance per course.
Death and Burial Benefits
One of the scariest things that can happen to any OFW is accidental or unexpected death. With this in mind, OWWA may extend Death Benefits (categorized under the umbrella of Social Benefits) to the bereaved family. An OFW’s legal heirs may receive a benefit of up to PHP 100,000 in cases of natural death, or PHP 200,000 in cases of death due to an accident.
In addition to the Death Benefit, legal heirs may also receive the Burial Benefit, a rider of PHP 20,000 to cover the expenses of the funeral.
Disability and Dismemberment Benefit
Also available under OWWA’s Social Benefits are Disability and Dismemberment Benefits, which are offered to OFWs who have sustained injuries from accidents while working abroad. An extremely helpful resource for OFWs in a very physical line of work, Disability/ Dismemberment Benefits can go as high as PHP 100,000 depending on the nature of the injury.
Other OWWA Services
Rather than offering financial assistance, these programs are geared towards offering specialized services for financially-strapped OFWs and their families. These include Worker’s Welfare Assistance, On-Site and In-Country Case Management, and lastly Repatriation and Reintegration Programs. The last two are for OFWs who need to depart from their country of employment (for example, during times of political strife) and find alternative means of livelihood.
Be smart about your money. Find out how the Philippine government can help you and your family. Know more about the programs above and how you can avail of the benefits by visiting the OWWA website.
AUTHOR BIO:
Kyle Kam is an online marketing specialist for Moneymax.ph, the Philippines’ leading financial comparison website. Whenever he’s not working, he’s busy at home watching MMA videos the whole day. You may follow him on Twitter @undisputedkyle