Assistance to Nationals
The Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Section is committed to promoting the welfare and protecting the rights and interests of Filipino nationals within the Consulate's jurisdiction. It provides timely assistance, guidance, and appropriate consular support to Filipinos in distress.
Assistance to Nationals (ATN)
The Philippine Consulate General in Seattle provides Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) services to Filipino citizens in distress in the following states under its consular jurisdiction: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. ATN services may include welfare, repatriation, travel document issuance, and other related assistance to distressed Filipino citizens.
Filipino citizens who are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the above-mentioned states may seek labor- and employment-related assistance from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Office in Los Angeles, formerly known as the Philippine Overseas Labor Office or POLO, which covers jurisdiction over the U.S. West Coast. MWO Los Angeles is under the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Philippines.
According to Philippine law, an OFW “refers to a Filipino who is to be engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in remunerated activity in a country of which he or she is not an immigrant, citizen, or permanent resident or is not awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, whether land-based or sea-based regardless of status; excluding a Filipino engaged under a government-recognized exchange visitor program for cultural and educational purposes.”
Quick Listing of U.S. Federal and Local Helplines
| Office | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Philippine Consulate General in Seattle |
Office: 925-441-2873
Emergency Hotline:
Email: |
|
Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Los Angeles Serving the Consulate's jurisdiction |
Phone: 213-223-1120
Email: |
|
Philippine Social Security System (SSS) Serving the Consulate's jurisdiction |
Phone: 213-432-7402
Email: |
|
U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division |
Find your local office |
| U.S. Emergency Services | Call 911 |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline |
Call or Text 988 988lifeline.org |
| National Human Trafficking Hotline |
Call 1-888-373-7888 Text HELP or INFO to 233733 humantraffickinghotline.org |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline |
Call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) Text START to 88788 thehotline.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) refers to the assistance provided by the Philippine Government to distressed Overseas Filipinos (OFs).
Overseas Filipinos in distress may include regular workers, permanent migrants, undocumented workers, and other distressed Filipinos. The consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle covers Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
ATN services include, but are not limited to:
- Repatriation of distressed OFs to the Philippines
- Shipment of remains or cremains and personal belongings of deceased OFs to the Philippines
- Welfare assistance, which may include food, care packages, basic supplies and financial assistance
- Medical Repatriation to the Philippines
- Medical assistance, including hospital visits
- Jail visitation and monitoring of cases of detained OFs
- Ascertaining of whereabouts and conditions of missing OFs
- Referral to relevant offices and coordination on employment-related concerns
- Assistance to victims of Trafficking in Persons and Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) cases
- Other necessary assistance to distressed OFs
A. Duly Accomplished Request for Assistance Form (RAF)
B. Proof of Philippine Citizenship
Primary: Valid Philippine passport (note: Filipinos whose passports have not yet expired but who have already obtained a foreign citizenship will be guided on the steps for reacquiring/retaining their Filipino citizenship under RA 9225)
Supporting: any of the following, as appropriate:
- If a permanent resident, valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- If a Dual Citizen, Dual Certificates (Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance, and/or Order of Approval)
- If neither a permanent resident nor a dual citizen, any Philippine Government-issued ID (Driver’s License, PRC ID, SSS ID, etc)
C. Additional Requirements (For specific ATN services)
Shipment of Remains of Deceased OF
- Death Certificate of Deceased OF
- Three (3) quotations from service providers for embalming/cremation and transport of the remains/cremains
Welfare Assistance
- Breakdown of assistance being requested
- Applicable supporting documents
Medical Repatriation
- Medical Record
- Certificate of Fitness to Travel issued by the attending physician
- Medical Information Form (MEDIF) issued by the airline
Medical Assistance
- Medical Record
- Hospital Bill
Note: The Philippine Consulate General may request other supporting documents which are necessary to provide the requested ATN service.
An Overseas Filipino in distress or his/her Next-of-Kin (NOK) may request ATN services by submitting a duly accomplished Request for Assistance Form (RAF). This request will be submitted by the Consulate to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has the authority to approve ATN Fund disbursements to ensure appropriate oversight, accountability and uniform application of ATN Fund guidelines.
Each request is assessed based on the urgency, completeness of documentation, and the extent of coordination required with relevant authorities. The timeline may therefore vary, but all cases are treated urgently and diligently, with due consideration of data privacy laws.
The assistance is extended on a case-by-case basis, subject to verification of circumstances, eligibility, and the availability of other sources of support, consistent with existing ATN guidelines. Hence, the amount shall be calibrated based on the actual needs, prevailing conditions, and the specific circumstances of each case.
An OF in distress, who is unable to engage the services of a private counsel/lawyer, and who is in a country where there is no system of legal aid and public defenders, or where there is no access to counsel de officio, or any lawyer provided by the foreign government, may avail of the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF).