Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the cash assistance, amounting to Rp300,000 (around US$18) per month for each beneficiary over three months, will be distributed to families in deciles 1–4 based on National Socioeconomic Data (DSEN).
Deciles 1 to 4 represent the lowest 40 percent of the country's population in terms of welfare, making them the primary target group for government social assistance and poverty alleviation programs.
"The three-month assistance is the result of budget efficiency measures implemented by the government at the beginning of this year,” he said in a statement on Monday.
The government has expanded BLT coverage by 35.04 million families, in addition to the regular aid distributed through the Ministry of Social Affairs to 20.88 million families under the Family Hope Program and basic food assistance.
Wijaya explained that the efficiency measures were designed to redirect unutilized funds toward public welfare programs expected to stimulate economic growth. The BLT program is projected to benefit up to 140 million people, assuming four members per family.
"The implementation of efficiency measures allows us to redirect funds that are not needed or have not been utilized. The resulting allocation will reach 35 million families, or 140 million people," he said.
He added that disbursement for the 35 million families, launched on October 17, would begin Monday through state-owned banks and postal operator Pos Indonesia.
"For three months, they are entitled to receive Rp300,000 each. Starting Monday, they can receive Rp900,000 in one go," he said, expressing hope the assistance will help families meet school expenses and boost local economies.
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Anton Santoso
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