Social Ministry Disburses Rp6.53 Trillion Cash Assistance at Second Phase

INDUSTRY.co.id - Ministry of Social Affairs disbursed Rp6.53 trillion for the Aspiring Family Program (PKH) in April 2021.

“This is the second phase of the disbursement of cash assistance program which falls in April, at the first week of holy fasting month,” Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said, as quoted from the Ministry’s website on Wednesday (21/4).

The Minister added that the cash assistance will be received by 9,074,584 households throughout the country and it is expected to speed up economic recovery following COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the amount of cash in circulation has raised, it will improve people’s purchasing power that eventually benefits small businesses,” she said.

The Minister went on to say that the disbursement also aims to help the people in meeting household expenses which increase during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

“During Ramadan, there is an increase in household spending due to the need to provide suhoor and iftar meals, as well as other additional meals,” she stated.

For the record, PKH is a social assistance given to poor families with some conditionalities. Those who are eligible to receive the assistance are families with expecting or lactating mothers, preschoolers, students (elementary to high school students), elderly, and persons with disabilities.

The Ministry of Social Affairs cooperates with the Association of State-owned Banks (Himbara) in disbursing the cash assistance to bank account of each beneficiary.

“The beneficiaries can withdraw the money from ATM Bersama (a joint ATM service between several banks), e-warong, and banking agents linked to the channeling banks,” the Minister added.

The Government has allocated Rp28.71trillion for PKH program for 2021 in which Rp6.82 trillion has been disbursed in January, and Rp6.53 trillion in April.