Indigent Seniors to Receive Increased Monthly Social Pension from DSWD

Date: January 22, 2024
Author: Social Marketing

Indigent senior citizens enrolled in the Social Pension program by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will see a positive change in their financial support. Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications, Romel Lopez, announced on January 22 that starting February 2024, beneficiaries will receive an increased monthly stipend of Php1,000.

“We anticipate the distribution of the enhanced social pension to commence this February 2024 for the first semester,” highlighted Asst. Secretary Lopez, who also serves as the DSWD spokesperson.

The allocation for the realization of Republic Act 11916, which aims to increase the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens, has already been secured within the agency's 2024 budget.

“The funds earmarked for the augmented monthly stipend for social pensioners have been duly approved and incorporated into the agency's 2024 budget,” confirmed the DSWD spokesperson.

Republic Act No. 11916, enacted in July 2022, mandates a 100 percent increase in the monthly pension of indigent senior citizens from Php500 to Php1,000. This adjustment is intended to help indigent seniors cope with the challenges posed by high inflation.

Qualified beneficiaries receive the social pension on a semi-annual basis, amounting to a total of Php6,000 per payout. This financial support aims to supplement their daily subsistence and address medical needs.

“The social pension is a crucial assistance provided to eligible and qualified indigent senior citizens, contributing to their daily sustenance and medical requirements,” explained Asst. Sec. Lopez.

The program extends its coverage to indigent senior citizens who are frail, sickly, disabled, or lack a permanent source of income, along with those who do not receive pensions from other institutions like the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI), or any private insurance company.

For the year 2024, a total of 4,085,066 indigent senior citizens are covered by the social pension program, making them eligible to receive the increased monthly stipend.

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