Am I Eligible for Taiwan Labor Insurance Death Benefits?

I'm an OFW in Taiwan. One of my family members died. Am I entitled to Taiwan Labor Insurance death benefits for my family member who died?

Yes, if you are employed by a Taiwan-registered company or institution with at least 5 employees and paying labor insurance premiums to the  Bureau of Labor Insurance.

Sadly, most caregivers and domestic helpers are NOT covered by the Taiwan Labor Insurance program because household employers are not mandated to join the program.

Only 3 types of family members are covered:
  Spouse
  Child
  Parent

How much is the death benefit?
It depends on the monthly premiums paid by your company and corresponding monthly salary grade.
It will be based on the average of your last 6 monthly salary grades
prior to the date of death of family member.

The maximum amount is:
For death of parent or spouse -- up to 3 times your monthly salary grade
For death of a child 12 years old or more -- up to 2.5 times your monthly salary grade
For death of a child less than 12 years old -- up to 1.5 times your monthly salary grade

*A miscarried baby is not covered.

What documents should I prepare in Taiwan?

- Your passport
    3 sets of photocopies of all pages, authenticated by MECO in Taiwan

- Your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), authenticated by MECO in Taiwan
     3 sets of photocopies

- Your Work/Employment contract
    3 sets of photocopies, authenticated by MECO in Taiwan

- Special Power of Attorney from you (OFW)
  if you are authorizing your representative in the Philippines
     to have your documents authenticated at
     TECO-Manila and the DFA
  You can have this SPA notarized at  MECO in Taiwan.
       Notarial fee is 1,000 New Taiwan dollars (subject to change).

What documents should be prepared by my family in the Philippines?

These Philippine documents must be authenticated by TECO-Manila and the DFA:

-  Death certificate of family member who died (spouse, parent or child)

-  Birth certificate of OFW  (if parent died)

-  Marriage certificate of OFW (if spouse died)

-  Birth certificate of child (if child died)


What is the general procedure for processing my Taiwan Labor Insurance claim?

1.  You prepare your documents as OFW in Taiwan (see above list).

2.  You send your SPA to your representative in the Philippines.

3.  Your representative photocopies your SPA for use in various agencies.

4.  Your representative obtains the required death certificate and birth or marriage certificate.

5.  Your representative goes to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and
         have the death certificate and birth or marriage certificate authenticated.
       Ask about translation of these documents to Chinese
          and authentication of translation

4.  Your representative files the documents with TECO-Manila.
         Authentication might take 5 days.

5. TECO-Manila returns the authenticated documents to your representative.

6. Your representative sends the documents to you in Taiwan
         Check if you need authentication of documents' translation to Chinese

7.  You request your company to apply for your Labor Insurance death benefit.
       Submit your documents to your employer

8.  Your company submits your documents to the Local Labor Bureau, including
         your Labor Insurance data.

9.  The Labor Bureau will review the claim. If claim is approved, the money will be released to the you after 15 days or more from date of claim filing.

What should your representative do at TECO-Manila?

1. Bring the following:
     - Your passport (passport of OFW), with 1 photocopy
           (or OFW's SSS ID, driver's license, or any other valid ID, with 1 photocopy)
     - Your SPA, with 1 photocopy
     -  Valid ID of representative (passport, SSS ID, driver's license, postal ID or other valid IDs,
            with 1 photocopy)
     -  Valid ID of deceased spouse, parent or child, with 1 photocopy
     -  Death certificate of spouse, parent or child, issued by the NSO and
            authenticated by the DFA, with documentary stamp, with 1 photocopy
     -  Birth certificate of child or OFW or marriage certificate of OFW,
             whichever proves the relationship between OFW and family member who died
            (issued by the NSO and authenticated by the DFA, with documentary stamp,
              with 1 photocopy)
    -  TECO might require an additional relationship document,
            like marriage  contract of parent who died.    

2.  Fill up the Application Form for Authentication
3.  Ask which document should be translated into Chinese
         and where it can be translated

Fees to be paid:
 - Original Authentication Fee : 700 pesos
（Expedite processing Fee：350 pesos
- Duplicate copy authentication Fee : 350 pesos
       （Expedite processing Fee：P180 pesos
- Original translation Authentication Fee : 700 pesos
        （Expedite processing Fee：350 pesos
- Duplicate copy translation authentication Fee: 350 pesos
        (Expedite processing Fee：180 pesos)

Where is TECO-Manila?
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO)
Taiwan Embassy
41st Floor, Tower 1 RCBC Plaza
Ayala Ave, Makati

Business Hours:
Monday to Friday except holidays
8:45 am to 11:45 am  --  time for filing
1:45 pm to 4:45 pm  --  time for releasing

Is there a deadline for filing my claim?
You can file your claim within 2 years from date of death of  your family member.
But of course, it's always wise to file as soon as you can.

Is there another related benefit that I can claim?
Ask your employer or check your contract if you are entitled to a paid bereavement leave.