Amid The Grief Of COVID, Social Minister Risma Brings Good News: IDR 600 Thousand Social Assistance Disbursed This Week Or Next Week

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini walks to the car after visiting the KPK, in Jakarta (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, brings good news amid the sad news about COVID-19 in the country. This week or at the latest next week social assistance funds can be distributed.

Social assistance is an acceleration of social protection programs during the Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) period. The amount to be disbursed is IDR 600,000. “In May and June, IDR 600 thousand will be given at once. But I ask not to be loaned (pawned) and only to meet basic needs", said Social Minister Risma in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, July 5.

According to Risma, the data on recipients of social assistance was hampered by the bank. This is because the name listed on the bank data is not the same as the data belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs which has been matched with the Population Identification Number (NIK).

"At the bank, the name has at least 3 letters and is not in the form of numbers, like the name IT NA70, but for other minor errors it can still be coordinated", said Risma.

The President instructed the Family Hope Program (PKH) to advance the disbursement to the third quarter of July. With the hope, can help people affected by the pandemic.

In addition to PKH, the Plenary Cabinet Session also touched on 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, to be paid this July.

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

PKH reaches 10 million KPM with an index based on the component in the family. Currently, BPNT/Kartu Sembako reaches 15.93 million KPM with an index of Rp. 200,000/KPM/month. Meanwhile, BST is special social assistance with a target of 10 KPM with an index of IDR 300,000/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. Cash Social Assistance is distributed in May and June, where the disbursement of the budget is immediately carried out.