DSWD Payouts: Programs, Benefits, and Schedules

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) implements different kinds of programs for various beneficiaries, all year round. Among the most popular programs are the 4Ps, Social Amelioration Program, and Social Pension (for senior citizens). In case you’re wondering whether you qualify for these programs and what the benefits are… keep on reading!

In this article, we present ten (10) programs of the DSWD. For each program, we shall discuss the target beneficiaries, benefits, and schedule of payouts. We have also included an important warning and reminder about fake news regarding DSWD payouts.

DSWD Payouts

1. 4Ps Program

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, better known as 4Ps, is the flagship poverty alleviation program of the Philippine government. Basically, it is a conditional cash transfer program that seeks to improve the health, nutrition, and education of poor households.

Target Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of 4Ps are identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). To qualify, households should generally meet these criteria:

  • Residing in the poorest municipalities as determined by the 2003 Small Area Estimates (SAE) provided by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB);
  • Economic status falling at or below the provincial poverty threshold;
  • Presence of children aged 0-18 years or a pregnant woman during the assessment; and
  • Agrees to fulfill the conditions of the program.

Benefits

4Ps beneficiaries can expect to receive the following benefits:

  • Health and nutrition services, including: prenatal care for pregnant women, vaccinations for children, regular health check-ups, and nutritional support and education;
  • For beneficiaries with children aged 0-5 years old, a cash grant ranging from PHP 300 to PHP 500 per child per month to support health-related expenses;
  • Educational assistance, including: allowances for school supplies, education, transportation, and other educational expenses; and
  • For beneficiaries with children attending elementary school (Grades 1 to 6), a cash grant ranging from PHP 300 to PHP 500 per child per month to support educational expenses.

Schedule

For cash grants, payouts are typically made every month. These are deposited to the designated bank accounts of the beneficiaries (usually Land Bank of the Philippines). In cases where direct banking services are not available, alternative payment methods such as GCash, remittance centers, or rural banks may be used.

For more details about the 4Ps program, check out this link.

2. Social Amelioration Program

The Social Amelioration Program (SAP) is an emergency subsidy program that was created in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to provide immediate financial relief to those who were severely impacted economically.

Target Beneficiaries

The target beneficiaries of the program include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) low income families; (b) informal sector workers; and (c) people with no other means of support.

Benefits

Qualified beneficiaries shall received cash aid, which they can use to meet their basic needs such as food, medicine, and other daily essentials. The amount that each beneficiary will receive ranges between PHP 5,000 and PHP 8,000 a month, for two (2) months.

Schedule

The cash aid for this program is usually distributed through Local Government Units (LGUs) or designated payout centers. In some cases, direct cash transfers are made.

For more information about this program, go to this link.

3. Medical Assistance Program

Medical Assistance is actually part of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the DSWD. It seeks to provide financial support to individuals and families who are facing medical emergencies, but are unable to afford the medical expenses.

Target Beneficiaries

The target beneficiaries of this program include: (a) families who are economically disadvantages, vulnerable, or part of the informal sector; (b) government employees or contract service workers; and (c) individuals facing crisis situations, as determined by the assessment of social workers.

Benefits

Medical assistance ranges from PHP 5,000 up to PHP 75,000 — depending on each case. This financial aid may be used to support hospitalization costs, medical tests, procedures, and other expenses. The amount to be given will be determined through the assessment of the social worker.

Schedule

Upon submitting the necessary documents (e.g. health certificate, clinical abstract, hospital bill, etc.) to the social worker, please wait for the response regarding your case, and how much aid you will receive to cover medical expenses.

To know more about this program, head to this link.

4. Educational Assistance Program

Educational Assistance is also part of the AICS program. It seeks to provide financial support to economically disadvantaged persons, specifically children and youth, to ensure their access to quality education.

Target Beneficiaries

The program gives priority to people belonging to marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and those in conflict-affected areas. It is available for elementary, high school, and college/university students, as well as those enrolled in technical/vocational courses.

Benefits

The benefits of the program include:

  • Cash grants depending on year level: PHP 1,000 (elementary); PHP 2,000 (high school); PHP 3,000 (senior high school); and PHP 4,000 (vocational/college);
  • Other expenses such as books, school supplies, transportation, and daily food allowance; and
  • Access to various services that promote holistic development.

Schedule

Qualified applicants will be contacted by the DSWD regarding their approval. Details about the types and amount of assistance will also be given. Be sure to check the official DSWD website or contact the local DSWD office regarding deadlines and schedules.

To learn more about this program, please visit this link.

5. Transportation Assistance Program

Transportation Assistance is a government initiative that seeks to provide financial support to individuals or families who need assistance with their transportation expenses. It is part of the AICS program as well.

Target Beneficiaries

The target beneficiaries of this program are those who have low income or are classified as indigents by the government. Priority is given to the following:

  • People targeted by pickpockets;
  • Strandees affected by a natural disaster;
  • Victims of illegal recruitment;
  • People requiring travel for medical care;
  • Pregnant women;
  • Elderly;
  • Persons with disability;
  • People returning to their hometowns; and
  • People facing the sudden death of a family member.

Benefits

This program offers different types of transportation assistance: (a) transport assistance for medical purposes; (b) emergency transportation assistance; (c) transportation assistance for returning to hometown; (d) legal assistance transportation support; and (e) transportation aid for victims of crimes.

This assistance covers travel expenses for land, sea, and air transportation (actual cost as reflected in ticket quotation). Each beneficiary may avail of it only once a year, except in cases of travel for medical reasons or death-related incidents.

Schedule

Once you submit an application to the local DSWD Office, this will be reviewed. Once it is approved, simply follow the instructions to be given by the DSWD on how to get your transportation assistance.

Check out this link for more details about the program.

6. Funeral or Burial Assistance Program

Once again, this is part of the AICS program. It aims to provide financial support to bereaved families, seeking to alleviate the financial burden related to funeral and burial expenses.

Target Beneficiaries

This program is provided to low income families.

Benefits

Qualified beneficiaries can expect to receive up to PHP 10,000 under this program. This amount aims to help cover: (a) costs related to casket and funeral services; (b) expenses related to the wake, burial plot, or interment; and (c) transportation fees for conveying the deceased’s remains.

Schedule

Upon submission of your application, the DSWD will verify and assess your situation. If approved, you will receive financial assistance from the DSWD.

Go to this link for more information about this program.

7. Cash for Work Program

The Cash for Work Program is a government initiative that aims to provide temporary employment opportunities to individuals and families in need. Participants engage in activities like infrastructure repair, environmental conservation, disaster response, and other community projects. In return, they receive cash or in-kind assistance.

Target Beneficiaries

The target beneficiaries of this program include: unemployed individuals, underemployed workers, low income families, persons with disabilities (PWDs), the elderly, single parents, and indigenous peoples.

Benefits

In exchange for their labor, beneficiaries will receive financial assistance.

Schedule

Beneficiaries shall receive compensation based on agreed-upon rates and schedules set by the DSWD. The assistance will be given daily, amounting to 75% of the current daily wage in the region.

Payments may be made in cash or through electronic transfer, depending on available financial methods and the preference of the beneficiaries.

Head to this link to know more about this program.

8. Solo Parent Cash Aid

As the name says, Solo Parent Cash Aid is a financial assistance program for solo parents.

Target Beneficiaries

The program caters to solo parents who have been separated, abandoned, widowed, or other circumstances.

Benefits

Solo parents are entitled to received a stipend of PHP 1,000 per month. They can also avail of the following services: solo parent ID card, flexible work schedule, parental leave, educational assistance, health services, housing benefits, livelihood assistance, and crisis intervention.

Schedule

Once your application has been approved, you will be informed by DSWD about the amount and the frequency of assistance that you will receive.

Please visit this link to learn more about this program.

9. Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC)

The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) seeks to improve the living conditions of eligible indigent senior citizens. It aims to augment their capacity to meet their daily subsistence and medical requirements, reduce the incidence of hunger among them, and protect them from neglect, abuse, or deprivation.

Target Beneficiaries

To qualify for this program, an applicant should be:

  • 60 years old or above;
  • Fail, sick, or with disability;
  • Without pension from Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Veteran Affairs Office, or any pension from the government;
  • Without a permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from relatives to support basic needs.

Benefits

Beneficiaries are entitled to a stipend of PHP 1,000 a month. Notably, this amount had increased from just PHP 500 a month during previous years.

Schedule

The monthly stipend will be given on a semestral basis or every six (6) months. The DSWD Field Officer will inform the city or municipality about the schedule of payouts through the C/MSWDO as well as the OSCA head.

For more details about this program, check out this link.

10. Sustainable Livelihood Program

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is a capacity-building program that aims to improve the livelihood and socio-economic well-being of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable sectors in the country. It is implemented through two (2) tracks: (a) Micro-Enterprise Development; and (b) Employment Facilitation.

Target Beneficiaries

The program is open to all Filipinos, although priority is given to those who are:

  • Members of the 4Ps;
  • Poor or low-income persons identified through “Listahanan;”
  • Persons belonging to marginalized groups such as out-of-school youth (OSY), PWDs, indigenous peoples, and internally displaced persons.

Benefits

The program provides different types of modalities, as follows:

  • Seed Capital Fund – up to a maximum of PHP 15,000;
  • Skills Training Fund – up to a maximum of PHP 15,000;
  • Cash for Building Livelihood Assets – 75% of prevailing regional wage; and/or
  • Employment Assistance Fund – PHP 5,000.

Schedule

Qualified applicants will be informed by the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office about the status of their application. Once approved, the SLP Project Development Officer (PDO) shall present the schedule of program activities. Be sure to participate regularly and wait for further instructions from the PDO.

For more information about this program, go to this link.

Beware of Fake DSWD Payout Update Pages

In January, a fake DSWD Facebook page posted a linked to the 4Ps payout schedule for that month. Unfortunately, both the Facebook page and the link were found to be not affiliated with the DSWD. The agency clarified that it does not post online lists publicly, nor does it post a payout schedule since grants are automatically deposited to the cash cards of 4Ps beneficiaries.

More recently, there was another incidence of fake news. A Facebook post claimed that DSWD was offering a monetary reward for those who can reveal “undeserving” 4Ps beneficiaries. In response, the agency stated that beneficiaries of the program are carefully chosen through the Listahanan, and that it conducts regular assessments to “clean” their list of beneficiaries.

To avoid misinformation about the 4Ps program, be sure to visit or follow its official website and Facebook page only.

Final Thoughts

The above programs are DSWD initiatives that provide cash assistance as well as other benefits and services. To stay updated about the latest information and schedules of these programs, please visit or follow the official website and Facebook page of the DSWD. You can also contact your local City or Municipality Social Welfare and Development Office for the latest details.