DSWD's cash assistance for crisis situation to resume next week

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is eyeing to resume the processing and release of cash aid under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program either this week or by next week, Dano Tingcungco reported on “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

The DSWD temporarily suspended the issuance of the guarantee letters for the AICS program on December 16, 2022 to give way to the agency’s financial audit. The program resumed in early January but the release of the cash was put on hold as the DSWD awaits funding from the Budget Department.

The AICS is a financial assistance program opened for all Filipinos facing a crisis situation.

“Pang-edukasyon, medikal, pamasahe kung gusto mong bumalik sa iyong probinsya, pagpapalibing, at kahit mga pambili ng kagamitan o pagkain kung walang-wala ka na,” said DSWD Spokesperson Asec. Romel Lopez.

(The cash assistance can be used for education, medical, or fare if you want to go back to your home province, for funeral expenses, equipment, and even food.)

Lopez said applying for the AICS is fast and easy, adding that those who would like to apply for the cash aid present identification documents and other paperwork that can support their claims including medical abstract referral and contracts with funeral homes in case a family of a deceased cannot present a death certificate.

“Pagkatapos po niyan at maassist kayo, outright maaari po kayong tumanggap ng P10,000 na cash assistance, P3,000 hanggang P10,000. Pero 'yung ating mga guarantee letters na ibinibigay doon sa ating pampalibing o sa ospital, maaari naman po 'yan umabot nang hanggang P250,000,” he added.

(After the processing, you can outright receive P3,000 to P10,000. But with the guarantee letters for funeral expenses and hospital bills the amount can cost up to P250,000.)

However, the DSWD official clarified there are limits to the program.

“Halimbawa, 'yung pamasahe niyo sa balik-probinsya, isang beses lang kayo dapat bigyan nyan. 'Yung education assistance, hindi ito parang scholarship na buwan-buwan, once a year niyo lang po ito matatanggap. Tulong lang to recover kung ano mang crisis ang pinagdadaanan,” he said.

(For example, fares for provinces can only be claimed once. If it’s for education, it’s important to understand that this is not a scholarship. You can only claim it once a year only. This is just assistance for recovery from a crisis situation.)

Around 4 million Filipinos claimed their cash assistance under the AICS program for 2022, the DSWD said. -- Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News