DSWD Confirms Monthly P1,000 Pension for Indigent Seniors
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified that only indigent senior citizens qualify for the monthly P1,000 pension under its Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program (SocPen). This early reminder comes amid widespread misinformation circulating on social media about eligibility.
Contrary to rumors, the monthly P1,000 pension is not available to all senior citizens regardless of income. The DSWD emphasized that the benefit specifically targets indigent senior citizens who are frail, ill, or disabled and lack any form of pension, family support, or stable income.
Eligibility and Official Guidelines
“We reiterate that only indigent, ill, frail, or disabled senior citizens without any pension, family support, or stable income are eligible for its Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program from the DSWD,” said a department official in a recent statement.
The agency urges the public to rely solely on information released through its official social media channels and website to avoid confusion caused by false claims.
Distinguishing SocPen From Universal Pension Bill
The DSWD clarified that the SocPen program currently covers 4,085,066 qualified indigent senior citizens. This program is separate from the proposed Universal Social Pension bill, which aims to provide social pension to all elderly Filipinos without income discrimination.
“We want to explain that the DSWD’s SocPen program is different from the Universal Social Pension Bill,” the official added.
Legal Basis and Pension Increase
The SocPen program is mandated by Republic Act No. 9994, known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. It provides monthly stipends to indigent senior citizens to help support their basic needs.
Initially, the monthly pension was set at ₱500. However, starting January 2024, the stipend increased to ₱1,000 following the enactment of Republic Act No. 1196, which specifically raised the social pension for senior citizens.
Distribution Schedule and Final Notes
The grants are distributed monthly, but depending on local government arrangements, some senior citizens may receive their pensions bi-monthly or quarterly.
For now, the DSWD continues to implement SocPen as the government’s social safety net for indigent elderly, while discussions on universal coverage remain ongoing in the legislature.
For more news and updates on senior citizen welfare, visit Filipinokami.com.