Social Minister Proposes Expanding Social Assistance Recipients

JAKARTA (March 27, 2020) - Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara proposes the expansion of social assistance recipients in the COVID-19 epicenter areas. This proposal is being discussed intensively and carefully because it can have an impact on the State Budget (APBN).

According to Juliari, the entry of COVID-19 into Indonesia had a serious impact on almost all aspects of life. Those who are most affected by this pandemic are the lower economic classes.

To sustain and maintain the purchasing power of the affected, Juliari has proposed expanding the number of recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) and the Groceries Program to the Ministry of Finance.

"This expansion will focus on the epicenter areas of the COVID-19 outbreak, namely in Jakarta and surrounding areas. So, this expansion is not nation-wide. This of course must be calculated carefully. Because it has implications for the State Budget, "Minister Ari said in Jakarta, Friday (03/27/2020).

The proposed expansion of recipients of social assistance cannot be separated from the direction of President Joko Widodo to the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet Ministers. The Minister said the President ordered refocusing programs and budget reallocation of ministries / institutions and regional governments to support the acceleration of handling COVID-19.

"Refocusing programs and budget reallocation will be directed to the health sector, then to the social safety net, and to the economic stimulus sector. Well, for the Ministry of Social Affairs the focus is on social safety nets, "said the Minister.

Juliari said, to support the government's efforts to maintain the purchasing power of the lower economic community through social safety nets, the Ministry of Social Affairs will optimize two regular social assistance programs (bansos) that have been running, namely PKH and the Groceries Program.

The latest that is now being proposed is the expansion of social assistance recipients, in the epicenter area spread of the corona virus outbreak. Of course, if the expansion of social assistance recipients is implemented, it will still be based on the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS).

"We are currently processing this proposal to the Minister of Finance. It's also important to consider that our budget is quite large. So, don't just think about one or two programs but has no impact on others, "said the Minister.

In another part, Juliari also stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs had taken a number of steps to maintain the purchasing power of the lower classes of society. The government is preparing a fiscal instrument to cope with the economic impact of the spread of the corona virus.

The Ministry of Social Affairs can allocate a budget of Rp. 4.56 trillion. This budget is used to increase the index of assistance in the Groceries Program, amounting to Rp 50,000 / month / beneficiary family (KPM).

“So that the KPM of Groceries Program received Rp 150.000 / month / KPM, it's now Rp 200.000 / month / KPM. This provision applies to 15.2 million Benefit Families (KPM), effective March 2020,” he said.

The increase in the groceries program index will be given in six months, from March to August. In addition, PKH which is usually distributed four times a year, starting this April, will be distributed every month.

"PKH Social Assistance second period disbursement in April and third period disbursement in July. At present, they have been advanced respectively in March and April. Next, PKH disbursement will be conducted every month, "said Juliari.

The purpose of accelerating the disbursement of PKH social assistance is expected to be able to maintain the purchasing power of KPM PKH and can be utilized well by KPM to improve children's nutrition so that they can avoid the spread of the corona virus.

In addition to the social safety net, the Ministry of Social Affairs is also committed to distributing death compensation of Rp. 15 million to the heirs of the victims of COVID-19. At present, the Ministry of Social Affairs is conducting an assessment of the victims who died due to COVID-19.

"This policy is to alleviate the victims' families and as a form of state attention to the community groups affected by the corona virus," said the Minister.

Compensation will be given to victims by prior assessment. "For example, a death certificate from the hospital certifying the victim died due to COVID-19 is needed." said the Minister. In addition, the distribution of death benefits also included a certificate from the regional government (social service).

On the other hand, in line with the President's instructions, the Ministry of Social Affairs also continues to finalize the implementation of refocusing programs and budget reallocation. The budget allocation will be directed to various efforts to accelerate the handling of COVID-19 such as the procurement of Hazardous Materials Suit (Hazmat Suit) for medical teams, masks, hand sanitizers and other needs that expand the reach of programs within the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Bureau of Public Relations

Ministry of Social Affairs