Low-income and minimum wage earners can now easily avail of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) benefits, as the agency has simplified the guidelines for faster access to financial assistance.

DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the simplified AKAP guidelines are stipulated in the Department’s Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 30 series of 2024 signed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Aug. 9.

“The MC makes the program's implementation more inclusive to cover those engaged in both the formal and informal economy,” Dumlao said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 19.

The guidelines streamlined the list of documentary requirements to facilitate a more systematic review and verification process of clients’ eligibility, she added.

AKAP aims to provide financial assistance to low-income and minimum wage earners, particularly those affected by inflation and economic challenges. It targets vulnerable sectors, including farmers, fisherfolk, and workers from the informal economy, to alleviate the financial burden.

As of November, over 4 million individuals have benefited from the program.

To establish eligibility as a minimum wage or low-income earner under the formal economy, applicants must provide one of the following documents issued within the last three months: duly signed Contract of Employment; Certificate of Employment with Compensation (COE); Income Tax Return (ITR) or BIR Form 2316; a duly signed Audited Financial Statement; or a Certificate of Tax Exemption. 

For AKAP beneficiaries from the informal economy, applicants must submit one of the following: a certification from a direct employer; certification from government offices recognizing specific sectors or groups; association certification; business permit; or barangay certification for small business owners.  

In addition, a Social Case Summary or Social Case Study Report from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office, signed by a registered social worker, a certificate of attestation, or a notarized affidavit of low income may also be presented.

“Other relevant documents are also required depending on the type of assistance needed in addition to the basic requirements establishing the eligibility of the clients,” Dumlao said.

AKAP assists in the form of medical, funeral, food, and cash relief, which is distributed through the Crisis Intervention Units or Sections at both central and field offices, as well as Social Welfare and Development and satellite offices nationwide.

The assistance may be provided as cash or a guarantee letter.

AKAP can also be implemented with local government units (LGUs) at the provincial, municipal, city, or barangay level. 

Under the partnership, the rice assistance program allows beneficiaries to use the provided funds to purchase rice for nutritional support.

”However, it is also clearly stated in the guidelines that a Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU and the DSWD is required. This is one of our measures to ensure that the funds are used with transparency and in line with its intended purpose,” Dumlao pointed out.

A beneficiary of the Rice Assistance through the LGUs may still qualify for other types of assistance, such as medical, funeral, or cash relief, subject to professional assessment by a DSWD social worker and the availability of funds.