OWWA Calamity Assistance – How to Apply

What are the OWWA Calamity Benefits?

The OWWA Calamity Benefit is a provision within the OWWA Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) that is provided to members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). This benefit is designed to assist both active and inactive OWWA members, as well as their eligible dependents, who are not yet qualified for regular OWWA social benefits.

The Calamity Benefit offers one-time cash assistance to individuals and their dependents who have been affected by natural or human-induced disasters or calamities. It is considered a special program within the WAP and is one of the four benefits that OWWA members can avail themselves of.

The program is open to all OWWA member-OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), regardless of their employment status. The amount of cash aid provided through the Calamity Benefit may vary depending on the severity of the situation and the extent of damages sustained. To be eligible, qualified beneficiaries must reside in areas where a State of Calamity has been declared either by the Local Government Unit (LGU) or the Office of the President.

The cash assistance offered by the program typically ranges from Php 1,000.00 to Php 3,000.00. This aid is intended to help supplement the income of affected individuals and their families as they recover and rebuild their lives following the impact of typhoons or other calamities.

OWWA Calamity Benefits

As a social program designed to help OFWs, the WAP offers calamity assistance, which offers the following benefits:

• Monetary assistance ranging from Php 1,000.00 to Php 3,000.00 for OFWs and their family members who suffered due to natural or man-made disasters in areas where a state of calamity has been declared.
• Additional assistance from the government

Qualifications

To qualify for the calamity benefits, individuals must meet the following criteria:

1. OWWA Membership: The claimants must be members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), whether they are active or inactive members.
2. Suffered from Calamities or Disasters: Claimants must have experienced calamities or other types of disasters. This can include natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods, or human-made disasters like war or conflict.
3. Reside in Declared Calamity Areas: Claimants must reside in areas where either the Local Government Unit (LGU) or the Office of the President has declared a state of calamity. This declaration is usually made when an area has been significantly affected by a disaster or calamity.

Requirements

To get ahold of the OWWA Calamity benefits, OFWs and his or her eligible dependents must present the following documentary requirements:

For OFW claimants of the Calamity Assistance

• Photocopy of at least two (2) valid IDs, preferably the OWWA ID
•  2 x 2 ID picture of the OFW
• Barangay Certificate to prove that claimant is a resident of the disaster/emergency affected community

• If victim of fire incident, secure Certification
• A completely filled out claim form declaring that no other OFW-family member had already availed of the assistance offered
• Active bank account

If the claimant is the spouse of the OFW:

• Photocopy of their marriage contract
• A duly accomplished claim form declaring that no other OFW-family member had already availed of the assistance offered
• 2 x 2 ID picture
• A photocopy of at least two (2) valid IDs with address

If the claimant is an unmarried child of the OFW who is of legal age:

• Photocopy of his/her birth certificate
• A duly accomplished claim form declaring that no other OFW-family member had already availed of the assistance offered
• 2 x 2 ID picture
• A photocopy of a valid ID with address

If the claimant is the guardian of the OFW’s child who is a minor:

• Authorization letter from the OFW
• Photocopy of the birth certificate of the OFW’s (minor) child
• A duly accomplished claim form declaring that no other OFW-family member had already availed of the assistance offered
• 2 x 2 ID picture of the claimant
• A photocopy of a valid ID/passport with address of the claimant

If the claimant is the parent of an unmarried OFW:

• Photocopy of the birth certificate of the OFW
• A duly accomplished claim form declaring that no other OFW-family member had already availed of the assistance offered
• 2 x 2 ID picture of the claimant
• A photocopy of a valid ID/passport with address of the claimant

If the claimant is the sibling of the unmarried OFW:

• Authorization letter from the OFW
• Photocopy of the birth certificate of the OFW and the claimant
• A duly accomplished claim form
• 2 x 2 ID picture of the claimant
• A photocopy of a valid ID/passport with address of the OFW and claimant

Once the documentary requirements are complete, you can start initiating your application starting with the application form online.

Procedures for Claiming OWWA Calamity Benefits

To claim the OWWA calamity assistance benefit, make sure to follow these steps to avoid any inconvenience in claiming for it. There are two ways to do so.

Via the OWWA Website (Online)

To apply for calamity assistance through the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) website, you can follow these steps:

1. Go online and visit the OWWA website.
2. Access the OWWA calamity assistance application page by clicking on the following link: https://calamity.owwa.gov.ph.
3. Once you’re on the application page, fill in all the required personal details about the OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker). These details include:
   • Name
   • Birthdate
   • Gender
   • Passport number
   • Civil status
   • Contact number
   • Email address
   • Facebook account (if applicable)
   • Address
   • Name of the claimant
4. If the applicant is the OFW, select “SELF” and input the OFW’s name. If the applicant is a beneficiary of the OFW, select the appropriate relationship option.
5. Click on the “Next” button to proceed to the next page, where you will find additional instructions on how to submit your application.
6. On the subsequent page, you will be prompted to attach a 2×2 ID photo of the applicant. Click on the “Choose File” button to upload the photo.
7. You will also need to upload the following documentary requirements:
   • OFW’s passport
   • Claimant or applicant’s valid ID
   • Supplementary documents to prove the relationship to the OFW
8. After completing all the required steps, submit the application form and wait for a message confirming the successful recording of your application.
9. Once your application is submitted, you will need to wait for confirmation from the OWWA evaluator. The evaluator will review your application and determine your eligibility for calamity assistance.

Via the OWWA Office

If you prefer not to carry out these tasks online, you have the choice to personally visit an OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), OWWA Satellite Office, or, if you are outside the country, any POLO Office. Just follow these steps:

1. Make an appointment with the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) if you are applying locally or with the POLO OWWA office in your country of employment if you are abroad. You can do this through the appointment scheduler on the OWWA website (appointment.owwa.gov.ph) or the OWWA Mobile App.
2. On the day of your appointment, go to the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) or the POLO Office that corresponds to your permanent address as an OFW.
3. Obtain a priority number (ticket) and wait for your turn to be assisted.
4. Present your OFW I.D. or provide information at the Membership Verification Desk, depending on your membership status. You will receive an application form and a checklist of requirements.
5. Submit the completed claim form and the necessary documents for validation and evaluation.
6. If your application is approved, follow the instructions to claim your financial assistance through a check or cash pay-out by presenting the claim stub.
7. If you have any further inquiries about the program, you can also visit the nearest OWWA Satellite Office. They will provide you with more information on how to claim your calamity benefit through your municipality if your application is approved.

Important Reminders

It’s important to note that the information you provided seems to be related to the OWWA Calamity benefits and the application process. Here’s a summary of the key points:

1. The OWWA Calamity benefits, part of the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP), is not a loan but a one-time cash aid.
2. Claimants are not required to pay back the assistance received from OWWA.
3. To avail of the benefits, individuals need to have valid IDs and active bank accounts. However, if the fund is distributed in cash, a bank account is not necessary.
4. The signatures on the OFW’s valid ID, passport, and authorization letter must be identical.
5. Applications for calamity assistance can be submitted through the OWWA website or by scheduling an appointment at the nearest OWWA or POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) offices.
6. The payout process follows a scheduled timeline per municipality, after thorough evaluation and approval of applications.
7. OWWA releases a list of qualified severely affected municipalities when the application for calamity assistance opens.

Understanding the OWWA Calamity Assistance Program

To learn more about the OWWA Calamity benefits,

Frequently Asked Questions

You may also check out the following questions and answers related to the calamity assistance benefits from OWWA.

1. What is the OWWA Calamity Assistance?

It is a benefit afforded by OWWA to its members under the OWWA Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) that aims to offer a one-time no-commitment cash aid to OFWs and their dependents who are affected by calamities.

2. Who is qualified for the Calamity Assistance?

Under the WAP, active or inactive OWWA member OFWs may avail of the one-time calamity assistance as long as they satisfy all the other conditions of the program.

3. How much cash assistance is given to qualified applicants?

The program offers cash aid ranging from Php 1,000.00 to Php 3,000.00 to OFWs or OFW dependents. The amount varies depending on the disaster. Those who had been affected by natural disasters, such as thunderstorms or earthquakes, get Php 1,000.00 but those who suffered from man-made disasters like fire, explosions, or vehicle crashes can get up to Php 3,000.00.

4. How may I claim my benefit from the assistance?

Once your application has been approved, your local Regional Welfare Office or POLO office will provide you with instructions about claiming your benefit through your municipality.

5. Can I apply for assistance on behalf of an OFW?

Yes, if you are a legal beneficiary of the OFW. You will just need to submit the documentary requirements to apply for the program.

Summary

They say that the true test of loyalty happens when calamity strikes. We aren’t sure if this is applicable for OWWA and its relationship with its member OFWs. OWWA Calamity Assistance What we do know is that when calamity strikes, OWWA is there to help its members through its Calamity Assistance benefit.

It doesn’t matter whether you are active or not. As long as you satisfy the conditions set by the program, you are eligible to enjoy the one-time, no-commitment special cash assistance program as a benefit of your US$25.00 OWWA membership.

During times of calamity, such as natural disasters or other unforeseen events, OWWA provides support to its member OFWs through its Calamity Assistance benefit. This benefit aims to provide financial assistance to affected OFWs and their families.

To be eligible for the Calamity Assistance benefit, members must fulfill certain conditions specified by the program. These conditions may include being an OWWA member, having a valid OWWA membership during the time of the calamity, and potentially meeting other criteria determined by OWWA.

The Calamity Assistance benefit is a one-time, no-commitment special cash assistance program. This means that eligible members can receive financial aid without being required to pay it back or fulfill any further obligations. The amount of assistance provided may vary depending on the specific circumstances and severity of the calamity.

Contact Information

For more information on the Calamity Assistance and other programs of OWWA, you may check out their website at https://owwa.gov.ph, their official Facebook page at https://facebook.com/OWWAofficial. You may also visit OWWA at:

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph, commandcenter@dole.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/