Do you know a senior citizen who needs to take daily medications, but doesn’t have pension or any source of income? He/She may qualify for the social pension program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Mandated under Republic Act 9994 or “The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) aims to improve the living conditions of eligible indigent senior citizens. It is currently implemented in all regions, including the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In this article, we will talk all about the SPISC program, including the qualifications, requirements, and processes involved. Keep on reading to learn more about this program for senior citizens!
Financial Assistance for Indigent Senior Citizens
The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program was conceptualized based on several objectives. Basically, the program seeks to accomplish the following:
- Augment the capacity of indigent senior citizens to meet their daily subsistence and medical requirements;
- Reduce the incidence of hunger among indigent senior citizens; and
- Protect indigent senior citizens from neglect, abuse, or deprivation.
Under the SPISC, indigent senior citizens are entitled to a monthly stipend, which used to be PHP 500 a month. Recently, however, the amount was increased to PHP 1,000 a month.
Starting February 2024, beneficiaries of the SPISC program shall receive a PHP 1,000 monthly stipend, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez, as cited in this DSWD press release.
The Assistant Secretary stated that the funds for Republic Act 11916 or “An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens” have already been included in DSWD’s 2024 budget. This act lapsed into law in July 2022, leading to a 100 percent increase in the monthly pension of indigent senior citizens.
Qualifications
To qualify for the SPISC program, an applicant must be:
- 60 years old or above;
- Frail, sick, or with disability;
- Without pension from Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), or any pension from government and private agencies; and
- Without permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from relatives to support basic needs.
Requirements
When applying for the SPISC program, the senior citizen or his/her relative need to prepare the following:
- Senior Citizen ID or any valid ID (indicating the birth date);
- Birth certificate of the senior citizen; and
- Filled-up Social Pension application form.
The above documents must be submitted to the nearest Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) or City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO).
Process
After submitting the required documents, wait for a call from DSWD validators for the interview/validation and orientation. The DSWD will visit you personally for verification. The department will be the one to identify qualified indigent senior citizens before releasing the final list of SPISC beneficiaries.
As mentioned earlier, each beneficiary will received a monthly stipend of PHP 1,000. This will be given on a semestral basis, which means that the beneficiary will receive PHP 6,000 twice a year. The DSWD Field Officer will inform the city/municipality about the schedule of pay-out through the C/MSWDO and OSCA head.
In case the beneficiary is sick or unable to receive his/her pay-out, a representative may get it on his/her behalf. The representative should prepare the following documents:
- Authorization letter;
- Senior Citizen ID of the beneficiary; and
- Valid ID of the authorized representative.
Video: 200 Senior Citizens Receive Increased Social Pension
On February 3, 2024, more than 200 senior citizens in Metro Manila received their social pension. They were the first to receive the increased amount of PHP 1,000 per month, which is 100 percent higher than the previous monthly stipend.
Here is a news story about the event, as featured by the PTV Facebook page:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions and answers about DSWD’s SPISC program:
1. What is DSWD’s SPISC program?
The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) is a DSWD program that aims to improve the living conditions of qualified indigent senior citizens.
2. What is the legal basis of the program?
The SPISC program is based on Republic Act 9994 or “The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” as well as Republic Act 11916 or “An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens.”
3. What are the benefits of the program?
Qualified beneficiaries of the SPISC program shall receive a monthly stipend. The amount used to be PHP 500 per month, but it was recently increased. Starting February 2024, beneficiaries are entitled to PHP 1,000 per month, to be given on a semestral basis.
Notably, the program’s beneficiaries can use their monthly stipend for buying basic needs and/or their medicinal requirements.
4. Who can apply for social pension?
To qualify for this program, applicants must be: (a) 60 years old or above; (b) frail, sick, or with disability; (c) without pension from SSS, GSIS, PVAO, or any government or private agency; and (d) without a permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from relatives.
5. How can I apply for social pension?
To apply for this program, applicants need to submit the following documents to the nearest OSCA office or C/MSWDO: (a) senior citizen ID or any valid ID stating the birth date; (b) birth certificate; and (c) filled-up social pension application form.
The application will undergo assessment, interview, and verification before approval.
6. Can I get my pension through a representative?
If the senior citizen is not able to claim his/her social pension personally, a representative may get it on his/her behalf. During the schedule of pay-out, the representative must bring: (a) letter of authorization; (b) valid ID of the beneficiary; (c) valid ID of the representative.
7. How can I learn more about the program?
To know more about the SPISC program, you can inquire with the nearest OSCA office or C/MSWDO in your city or municipality.
Contact Information: DSWD Central Office
If you are based in the National Capital Region (NCR), you can learn more about SPISC by getting in touch with the DSWD Central Office, whose contact details and location map are as follows:
Address: Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, 1126
Telephone: (02) 8931 8101 to 07
Email: socpengrievances@dswd.gov.ph (for inquiries or complaints)
Website: https://www.dswd.gov.ph/
Google Map:
Summary
As of this writing, there are almost 4.1 million indigent senior citizens who are part of the SPISC. Thanks to this program, they are able to afford their medicines and other basic needs!
Aside from senior citizens, the DSWD also has programs for solo parents. Check out this link to know more about the agency’s Solo Parent Cash Aid.