JAKARTA (05 July 2021) - President Joko Widodo has instructed the Ministry of Social Affairs to accelerate social protection programs. Following the President's directive, Social Minister Tri Rismaharini is ready to accelerate the disbursement of social assistance for communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President's direction was conveyed by the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati in a press statement after the Plenary Cabinet Session through Video Conference, in Jakarta, this afternoon (05/07). The Plenary Cabinet Session discussed on social protection programs in various ministries/agencies as an anticipation of the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

For the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Minister of Finance stated, the President instructed to advance the disbursement the Family Hope Program (PKH) to the third quarter of July. "Thus, it can help people affected by the pandemic," said Sri Mulyani.

On the previous occasion, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut B. Pandjaitan explained that the distribution of social assistance was to protect the lowest level of society. The social assistance was expected to reduce the burden of spending on people who cannot carry out economic activities due to activity restrictions.

In addition to PKH, the Plenary Cabinet Session also talked over two other types of social assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs, namely Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT)/Sembako Cards, and Cash Social Assistance (BST).

BPNT/Sembako Cards, which currently reach 15.93 million Beneficiary Families (KPM), have again increased their reach to 18.8 million KPM. BST with a reach of 10 million KPM runs for two months and to be disbursed this July.

PKH and BPNT/Sembako Cards are regular social assistance programs to reduce poverty with targets based on Social Welfare Integrated  Data (DTKS). The distribution of PKH and BPNT/Sembako Cards is carried out through the State Banks Association (Himbara) network.

PKH covers 10 million KPM with an index based on the existing components in the family. Currently, BPNT/Kartu Sembako reaches 15.93 million KPM with an index of IDR 200 thousand/KPM/month. Meanwhile, BST is a special social assistance with a target of 10 KPM with an index of IDR 300 thousand/KPM/month. BST is distributed through the post office.

BST recipients are poor people who have not been recorded in DTKS and are affected by the pandemic. BST is distributed in May and June, where the disbursement of the budget is immediately carried out.

Responding to the President's directive, the Social Minister stated that the social assistance would be distributed as soon as possible. Risma stated that this week or next week the social assistance could be distributed.

“In May and June, IDR 600 thousand will be given at once. I ask the beneficiaries to use it to meet basic needs,” she said.

The data on social assistance recipients was constrained at the bank. This is because the name listed on the bank data is not exactly the same as the data belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs which has been matched with the Population Identification Number (NIK).

"The name should be at least 3 letters and not in the form of numbers. The name such as 'IT', NA70, aren't eligible but other minor errors can still be coordinated," said Risma.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs