Ministry of Social Affairs Distributes Social Cash Aid for 9 Million Beneficiaries

JAKARTA (10 August 2020) - Entering the Third Quarter of 2020, the Government will continue its efforts to reduce the burden on people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, the government prepared Social Rice Aid and Social Cash Aid.

In line with President Joko Widodo's hopes, Social Minister Juliari P. Batubara stated that Social Rice Aid is expected to meet some of the people’s basic needs while Social Cash Aid is expected to increase purchasing power to lever up the economy, especially in the Third Quarter of 2020.

"As directed by the President, ministries need to encourage programs that lever up the economy. Social Rice Aid can help reduce a part of the people’s spending. Meanwhile, Social Cash Aid is expected to encourage public spending, which means driving the economy, "said Social Minister Juliari (10/08).

The Minister of Social Affairs stated that the Social Rice Aid will be distributed to Beneficiary Families (KPM) participating in the Family Hope Program (PKH). The total target in this program is 10 million KPM.

Meanwhile, Social Cash Aid is distributed to as many as 9 million participants of the Basic Food Program (BPNT) who do not receive PKH, with cash worth IDR 500 thousand/KPM. This aid is distributed only once.

"An amount of 15 kg of rice per KPM is distributed monthly in three months. While Social Cash Aid of is Rp. 500 thousand/KPM is distributed only once, "he said.

Later, Social Cash Aid will be distributed through Himbara, especially for KPM who already have a Prosperous Family Card (KKS). Distributions are also made through the Post Office as well as direct distribution through direct cash transfer. Meanwhile, the distribution of Social Rice Aid is planned to be carried out by Perum Bulog.

"The budget prepared for Social Rice Aid for 10 million KPM is Rp. 5.41 trillion. While, the budget for 9 million cash Aid recipients is IDR 4.5 trillion,” the Minister explained.

In line with the President's direction to encourage economic movement, the Ministry of Social Affairs also continues to push for budget realization. "One of the indicators of good budget performance is high absorption or realization. Praise the Lord, the Ministry of Social Affairs has achieved the highest budget realization among 5 ministries/institutions with the largest budget," said Minister of Social Affairs Juliari.

The Ministry of Social Affairs Budget Ceiling for FY 2020 is IDR 62.77 trillion. To support social protection programs, the Ministry of Social Affairs receives an additional amount so that the Ministry of Social Affairs budget becomes IDR 104.4 trillion, then increases again to IDR 124.76 trillion, and currently is IDR 134.008 trillion.

With a jumbo budget, the Ministry of Social Affairs can still manage it well. Based on the budget realization in the five Ministries with Big Budget Ceiling as of 10 August 2020, the Ministry of Social Affairs is still firmly in the first rank with the realization of 55.74%. The five Ministries with Big Budget Ceiling record an average realization of 46.32%.

"We are paying serious attention to President Joko Widodo's direction to the ministers in order to increase budget realization. Thus it is hoped that it can support people's purchasing power and move the economy,” he said.