The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday maintained that it sets an eligibility criteria in identifying beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

It also emphasized that referrals, whether from organizations, politicians or any other institutions, will not guarantee that the names included will receive financial assistance.

“Would-be AKAP beneficiaries are not easily identifiable because we need to ascertain if indeed these individuals who are earning no more than the statutory minimum wage ay apektado ng inflation at kailangan i-assist ng (are affected by inflation and need assistance from the) DSWD under this particular program,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a radio interview.

In addition to documentary requirements, she said social workers are carefully assessing potential beneficiaries before giving out cash aid under the AKAP.

Using an assessment sheet or intake form, Dumlao said social workers ask potential beneficiaries for additional information, such as the presence of a support system, external resources, income and the number of income earners in the family, among others.

“Hindi po nangangahulugan na kapag ikaw ay na-endorso ay awtomatiko kang makatatanggap. Sasailalim ka pa rin sa proseso na kung saan ay ire-require pa rin ng DSWD na mag-presenta ka ng requirements at i-interviewhin ka pa rin ng social workers. Hindi guarantee ang referral na ibinibigay ng sinuman para makatanggap ka ng tulong (An endorsement does not mean that you automatically receive assistance. You will still undergo the process wherein the DSWD will require you to present requirements and you will still be interviewed by social workers. A referral from any one is not a guarantee to receive aid),” the DSWD spokesperson explained.

Dumlao stressed that the DSWD sticks to its guidelines and processes, especially in the distribution of cash assistance.

She said the enhanced guidelines for the AKAP, which were jointly prepared by the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, and the DSWD, have been submitted to the Office of the President and the Department of Budget and Management for approval.

For 2025, the AKAP is set for a conditional implementation subject to the issuance of new and stricter guidelines, as conveyed in the veto message of President Ferdinan R. Marcos Jr when he signed the General Appropriations Act 2025 on Dec. 30, 2024.

The AKAP is a program intended to provide targeted social assistance and safety net for low-income earners whose purchasing power eroded due to inflation. (PNA)