Social Assistance Programs Research Articles

Social assistance and non-agriculture employment in rural China: evidence from the Rural Minimum Living Security (Rural Dibao)

The Rural Minimum Living Security (Rural Dibao) is a crucial social assistance program designed to alleviate poverty in rural China. While non-agriculture employment plays a significant role in boosting farmers’ income and reducing long-term poverty, little is known about the impact of Rural Dibao on non-agriculture employment. This study uses data from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) and employs Propensity Score Matching with Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) methods to assess the effects of Rural Dibao on non-agriculture employment and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Our findings reveal that Rural Dibao significantly increases the likelihood of recipients’ participation in non-agriculture employment and extends their labor supply in such jobs. The program primarily boosts temporary work rather than formal employment or self-employment. The increase in temporary employment primarily originated from transitions from agriculture work, rather than from previously unemployed individuals. Mechanism analysis suggests that government-provided employment information and recommendations serve as key drivers for increasing temporary employment, while cash transfers and job-seeking cash subsidies alone do not effectively promote non-agricultural employment.

Food Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability through the Scope of Food Security Level and Food Environment Perception in Mexico City’s Marginated Area

Background: Food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability, the four pillars of food security, have sound impact on food environment activities, regarding households’ food availability, accessibility, and affordability. Food availability implies the adequate supply of healthy food and food accessibility complements and builds on food availability by ensuring that households are able to obtain that food, and that food affordability is limited by incomes and food prices. Methods: In this research, socioeconomic characteristics, food security status and food environment (food availability, accessibility, and affordability) perception of households in Ecatepec, México, a marginal Mexico City conurbation area, were determined with the adequate survey. The collected data were analyzed by logistic regression to stablish the significant relationship among the independent variables (household food security status) with the socioeconomic features, in addition to food environment perception, in order to determinate which facts were significant with food security in this marginal area. Results: Educational level (P<0.001), household income (P<0.001), and belonging to a social assistance program (P<0.001) have a significant effect on food security status. Households with lower income, with food insecurity status, presented lower purchasing power. In contrast, households with food security and mild food insecurity were less likely to agree with the food that they can purchase. A better income, and therefore, a higher purchasing power was reflected in the need to access to more healthy food within their neighborhood. Conclusion: Results indicate that the food environment in this marginal area is benevolent, and households find a way to remain resilient in order to provide enough food for their families. Public policies must be focused on reducing poverty and giving more opportunities to promote social mobility

Merits and Demerits of Social Assistance Programs to Poor People

Social assistance programs have increasingly expanded and become a vital tool for poverty alleviation and promoting equitable society, particularly in developing countries. The merits of these programs are well documented in the literature including human capital development, poverty reduction and economic stability and growth. However, such programs are not without demerits; critics argue that social assistance programs have created dependence syndrome among developing countries, implementation challenges due to poor design, low coverage, and limited impacts on the community. This paper discusses the merits and demerits of social assistance programs in developing countries, offering suggestions on how these programs can be refined to foster equilibrium between supporting poor people and promoting sustainable socio and economic self-sufficiency.

Indonesia's Value Added Tax (VAT) Reform: Fiscal Benefits and Sectoral Impacts

This study comprehensively analyzes the impact and implications of the planned increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) rates from 11% to 12% in the wider context of the Indonesian economy. Using an analytical-descriptive approach with a literature review method, this study examines various dimensions of policy impacts, including fiscal, macroeconomic, sectoral, and implementation feasibility aspects. This study found that the increase in VAT has the potential to increase state revenues by IDR 85-95 trillion per year, but also has potential consequences of inflationary pressures of 1.1-1.4% and a short-term slowdown in economic growth of 0.3-0.4%. From a sectoral perspective, MSMEs face significant pressure with a decline in margins of 2-3%, while the formal sector shows better resilience. The implementation feasibility analysis indicates that the readiness of the tax administration system has reached 85%, although there are still several challenges in the supervision aspect. This study recommends a gradual implementation approach with an increase of 0.5% per year, accompanied by strengthening social assistance programs and special incentives for MSMEs. Periodic monitoring and evaluation framework are key to ensuring the effectiveness of this policy while minimizing negative impacts on the economy. This study concluded that the success of this policy depends on the right timing of implementation, institutional readiness, and comprehensive supporting policies.

Social Protection in Developing Countries: Legal, Economic, and Social Trends

This paper investigates the evolution of social protection frameworks in developing countries, distinguishing between contributory and tax-financed systems. Through a comparative analysis of social insurance, social assistance, public works, and community-based employment programs, this study assesses their effectiveness in mitigating poverty, managing risks, and fostering resilience. A unique aspect of this research lies in its integration of economic, historical, and cultural factors, offering a comprehensive evaluation of social protection beyond conventional economic assessments. Key findings reveal the critical balance between efficiency and equity in resource allocation, underscoring the importance of addressing dependency and compliance in policy execution. By presenting a nuanced framework that bridges technical and social dimensions, this paper contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable social policies in the context of developing nations. It provides policymakers with actionable insights for crafting inclusive, long-term social protection strategies that align with both immediate relief and sustainable development goals.

Fragile Futures: How Socioeconomic Factors Shape Severe Wasting in Toddlers

This study examines the influence of socioeconomic factors on the prevalence of wasting among toddlers in Boyolali Regency during 2014–2023. Despite improvements in economic indicators such as Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and per capita income, progress in reducing wasting has lagged behind neighboring areas. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the study investigates the relationship between GRDP, poverty, food prices, per capita income, and the number of children on severe wasting rates. The study uncovers that poverty and food prices have a significant positive impact on wasting, while per capita income has a significant but negative impact, suggesting that increased income worsens wasting due to inequality and shifting consumption priorities. Whereas, GRDP and the number of children show no significant relationship with wasting. The study concludes that poverty and food prices require targeted interventions to address inequality and promote nutrition education. Policy implications include improving social assistance programs and enhancing access to quality food. This research contributes to understanding socioeconomic determinants of malnutrition and supports local government strategies to improve child nutrition.

Determination of Factors Affecting “Level of Dependency on Social Aid” of Household Living in Rural Area: Iğdır Province Rural Area Example, Türkiye

Fighting against poverty has become an increasing topic both at international and national levels. In this context, social policy programmes and particularly the implementation and delivery of social aid programs are one of key policy tools widely used in many countries to alleviate poverty and reduce hunger. Assessing the Aid Dependency Rate (ADR) of the beneficiaries is of great importance to achieve the goal of designed and delivered social assistance programs. Therefore, this study determines beneficiaries’ level of dependency on social aid and the underlying factors. Primary data were collected through face-to-face survey from 210 households actively beneficiaries of public social aid selected by use of snowball sampling. Additionally, ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors affecting the level of need of households for public social aid. The findings showed that 46.7% of households were in low level dependency on social aid, 28.6% in intermediate level, and 24.8% in high level. Besides, the results of the ordinary logistic regression analysis revealed that the marital status, employment status of the household and the group of delivered social aid were significant factors affecting level of need for social aid (P<0.05). Also, it shows that the odd ratio of household of being in high level increases 264.25 times if there is not any working individual compared to households with two or more working individuals (P<0.01) whereas this ratio decreases to 3.71 (P<0.05) in households by only one individual working. The study concludes that the presence of even one working individual is of great importance in order to prevent the household's dependence on social aid in high level. Consequently, designing social aid programs that consider the mentioned factors would help to fight against poverty.

The Influence of Decentralization Policy and Family Hope Program on Social Welfare in Urban Areas Through Social Assistance

The decentralization policy gives authority to local governments to design and implement programs that are in accordance with local needs, including the Family Hope Program (PKH) as one of the social protection instruments. PKH aims to improve social welfare through conditional social assistance that encourages poor people's access to education and health. This study contributes by revealing how decentralization affects the effectiveness of PKH implementation in urban areas, especially through the distribution of social assistance, and its impact on improving social welfare in Medan City. This analysis is expected to strengthen evidence-based policies in realizing equal social welfare in urban areas, especially Medan City. However, the effectiveness of this policy still requires further study to understand its specific impact on the community in Medan City. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Decentralization Policy and the Family Hope Program (PKH) on Social Welfare in Medan City with the Intervening Media of the Social Assistance Program. The sample used a purposive sampling technique to obtain respondents who were relevant to the study. The research method used was quantitative research, namely by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents from the Medan City community, North Sumatra who received Social Assistance and the Family Hope Program (PKH). The results of this study: 1) There is an influence of Decentralization Policy on Social Welfare in Medan City, North Sumatra with a value of 24.1%; 2) There is an influence of the Family Hope Program (PKH) on Social Welfare in Medan City, North Sumatra 45.7%; 3) The magnitude of the influence of the Social Assistance Program on Social Welfare partially is 2.5%; 4) The magnitude of the influence of the Decentralization Policy and the Family Hope Program (PKH) on Social Welfare in Medan City with the Intervening Media of the Social Assistance Program is: 67.5% + 2.5% = 70%.

“I Was Trusted for Once”: Imagining More Humane Income Supports Through the Ontario Basic Income Pilot

Current social assistance programmes in Canada and beyond have been criticised for normalising the dehumanisation of recipients through policy design and implementation. In this article we look at how exposure to a form of basic income through the Ontario Basic Income Pilot (OBIP) allowed recipients to imagine a different kind of support. We report on the findings from a study in OBIP from Hamilton, Canada, thematically analysing a subset of interviews with forty OBIP participants. We find that the higher levels of support, fewer behavioural conditions compared to social assistance, and reduced surveillance under OBIP-nurtured feelings of trust and confidence. Participants felt rehumanised as full members of society in reciprocal relationships with community and government that had been strained under previous forms of social assistance. We consider how the OBIP model provided a transformative framework for participants’ expectations for income support programmes and discuss implications for future research.

Effectiveness of Direct Village Fund Cash Assistance in Pulau Tiga Village, Pulau Tiga Barat District, Natuna Regency, 2020

Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) is a social assistance program from the government which aims to provide direct financial assistance to people in need. This research aims to find out and assess the effectiveness of Direct Village Fund Cash Assistance (BLT-DD), analyze the impact of Direct Village Fund Cash Assistance on the community receiving aid and analyze the Government's policy regarding Direct Village Fund Cash Assistance (BLT-DD) in Pulau Tiga Village, Pulau Tiga Barat District, Natuna Regency. This research uses qualitative methods with data collection methods of observation, interviews and documentation. The informants in this research consisted of 12 people. The results of the research show that (1) The Government's policy regarding Direct Village Fund Cash Assistance (BLT-DD) in Pulau Tiga Village, Pulau Tiga Barat District, Natuna Regency is to implement strengthening public outreach and communication, increasing transparency and accountability, optimizing the use of resources, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation. (2) The effectiveness of direct cash assistance from Village Funds in Pulau Tiga Village, Pulau Tiga Barat District, Natuna Regency in 2020 can be measured by several aspects, namely accuracy in timing, accuracy in calculating costs, accuracy in measurements, accuracy in making choices, accuracy in thinking, accuracy in carrying out orders, accuracy in determining goals and accuracy of targets. (3) The impact of direct cash assistance from village funds on aid recipient communities in Pulau Tiga Village, Pulau Tiga Barat District, Natuna Regency refers to the speed of distribution and direct benefits, reducing financial burdens and increasing skills and economic opportunities.

Wacana Program Bansos untuk Korban Judi Online dalam Tinjauan Al-Maṣlaḥaḥ Al-Mursalah Perspektif Wahbah Az-Zuḥaili

The Minister of Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy, opened the opportunity for victims of online gambling to be included in Social Welfare Integrated Data (DTKS) so that they could receive social assistance. The victims are family members or close relatives who have been financially harmed by online gambling perpetrators. This programme sparked support and opposition from various circles. The emergence of these differing views is influenced by varying perspectives on assessing the maṣlaḥaḥ (public interest) of the program. Indeed, in the context of Islamic law, maṣlaḥaḥ can be used as a basis for legitimizing something, a method known as al-maṣlaḥaḥ al-mursalah. However, according to Wahbah az-Zuḥaili in Uṣūl al-Fiqh al-Islāmi, the measure of maṣlaḥah is not human logic but the legitimacy of syariat regarding a particular form of maṣlaḥah. According to Wahbah az-Zuḥaili, human reasoning will always differ in assessing maṣlaḥah, as seen in the differing opinions of some scholars regarding the maṣlaḥah of social assistance programs. The aim of this study is to analyze the discourse surrounding the social assistance program for victims of online gambling from the perspective of al-maṣlaḥaḥ al-mursalah, according to Wahbah az-Zuḥaili. To achieve this goal, the research method used was qualitative, with a library research approach. The data collection technique involves reviewing various literature, including classical and contemporary scholars' books, scientific articles, and other relevant sources. The results of this study indicate that this program is in line with the standards of the concept of al-maṣlaḥaḥ al-mursalah, as outlined by Wahbah az-Zuḥaili.

The Impact Of Public Policy On Social Welfare: An Analysis Of Social Assistance Programs in The Digital Era

This study investigates the impact of public policy on social welfare, specifically through the lens of social assistance programs in the digital era. As technology continues to evolve, the implementation of social assistance programs has transformed, leading to new opportunities for enhancing service delivery and accessibility. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative case studies to assess the effectiveness of these programs in improving social welfare outcomes. The findings reveal that while digital tools can enhance the reach and efficiency of social assistance initiatives, challenges such as digital divide and data privacy concerns must be addressed to ensure equitable access for all beneficiaries. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrating technology into public policy frameworks to foster sustainable social welfare improvements in an increasingly digital world.

Aspek Ekonomi dan Sosial

This journal focuses on the interaction between economic conditions and social structures that influence the well-being of society, as well as the relationship between economic and social aspects and their impacts on communities. Socioeconomic components such as education, health, and employment are interconnected and affect the quality of life. The study identifies various issues that arise, including poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, all of which stem from injustices in the distribution of economic resources. The effects of these injustices can be observed in the rising unemployment rates and declining quality of life, which in turn affect the social and economic stability of communities. Additionally, economic barriers such as policy uncertainty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to capital hinder economic growth. Many communities remain trapped in a cycle of poverty due to inadequate access to training and education. To promote economic growth and social welfare, the government must provide support through inclusive economic policies, social assistance programs, skills training, and investments in infrastructure. Effective solutions are expected to be found by understanding the relationship between economic and social aspects and the existing barriers.

Capital's Contribution in the Perspective of Bourdieu to Reduce Multidimensional Poverty to the Recipient of the Entrepreneurship Social Assistance

This research focuses on capital contributions in reducing multidimensional poverty to the recipients of entrepreneurial social assistance. This study uses a qualitative approach with the phenomenological method to explore the subjective experience of seven participants who recipient the Entrepreneurship Social Assistance Program carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs through the Galih Pakuan Bogor Center, in Bojonggede District, Bogor Regency. This study aims to analyze how the contribution of each converted capital form can reduce the dimensions of multidimensional poverty to recipients of social entrepreneurial assistance. The findings of this study indicate that capital transformation contributes to alleviating multidimensional poverty to recipients of entrepreneurial social assistance in the economic, health, education and living standards. Interaction of various forms of capital (economic, social, embodied, objectified, and digital) can optimize the management of entrepreneurial social assistance to increase business income and sustainability. Economic capital contributes to help the education costs of family members. Social capital strengthens networks to get access to health services, reach consumers and social support for meeting basic needs and decent residence assistance. Digital capital contributes to providing information, strengthening social capital and increasing knowledge. The implications of this finding indicate that programs and policies in tackling poverty requires the integrative development of various forms of capital in the recipient of social entrepreneurial assistance. This study provides a theoretical contribution by enriching literature related to the conversion of capital in the context of multidimensional poverty and offers practical insights for the development of programs and policies for more effective poverty alleviation.

Do Social Assistance Programs Alleviate Rural Households’ Energy Poverty? Evidence from China’s Basic Medical Insurance Scheme

Government social assistance programs have significantly alleviated poverty. However, to our knowledge, few studies have analyzed their effectiveness in mitigating energy poverty. This paper applies the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) to measure the extent of rural households’ energy poverty in China. Using a two-way fixed effects model and quantile regression analysis, this study explores the long-term impact of China’s basic medical insurance system on rural households’ energy poverty. The findings indicate that basic medical insurance significantly reduces rural households’ energy poverty, with heterogeneous effects observed across different levels of energy poverty, household incomes, population sizes, and age distributions of household members. Enhancing farmers’ health conditions and reducing medical expenditure are key mechanisms through which basic medical insurance alleviates rural households’ energy poverty. Overall, these findings underscore the crucial role of social assistance programs in enhancing the quality of life for rural residents and contributing to global sustainable poverty governance.

Government Intervention Strategy in Poverty Reduction: Study on the District and City in Indonesia Across 2016-2023

Poverty remains a significant challenge in Indonesia, with a national rate of around 9.36% in 2023 and 16 provinces exceeding this poverty level. This study aims to analyze poverty patterns across districts and cities by using K-Means Clustering and examine the effectiveness of government interventions in poverty reduction through panel data regression with the Fixed Effect Model (FEM). Results indicate that higher-poverty areas benefit most from social assistance, village funds, credit schemes, and GRDP, while capital spending exacerbates poverty. On the other hand, lower-poverty areas achieve reductions through capital spending, village funds, and GRDP, with minimal impact from social assistance and credit schemes. Also, these results emphasize the need for targeted interventions, such as optimizing social assistance and credit access programs in higher-poverty areas and implementing growth-focused strategies, including physical infrastructure development, in lower-poverty regions.

FREE HEALTH GUARANTEE FOR THE POOR PEOPLE POST HEALTH LAW OMNIBUS LAW

The establishment of the National Social Security System is realized through Law Number 40 of 2004 concerning the National Social Security System (UU SJSN) which has a health insurance program, work accident insurance, old age insurance, pension insurance and death insurance. Health insurance as part of the social security system in Indonesia is indeed a form of social assistance program for health services for the poor and disadvantaged. This program is organized nationally to guarantee cross-subsidies in order to create comprehensive health services for the poor. The purpose of this study is to examine free health insurance for the poor after the health omnibus law related to the regulation that the central and regional governments are required to provide financial protection to the poor and disadvantaged through the health insurance program, so that they can access health services without cost barriers. The research method used is normative juridical. free health insurance for the poor after the health omnibus law in the future (establishing rights) is by creating a single institutional model in the form of an institution mandated by all people. This is important, because in this way the collection of funds will be realized quickly. A single institution in the sense of the organizer of the National Social Security System as a container or umbrella that covers program organizers, so that program implementation can be carried out by several program organizers, especially free health insurance for the poor. The single institution in question is led by a Director, under the National Social Security Council (DJSN), who is directly responsible to the President. The future model is the Free Health Insurance Agency for the Poor.

The Impact of Uncertainty and Macroeconomic on Income Inequality in Indonesia

This study explores the impact of global uncertainty and macroeconomic factors on income inequality in Indonesia from 1991 to 2023, employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Error Correction Model (ECM) methodologies. The findings reveal that global uncertainty significantly reduces income inequality in the long term, while key macroeconomic variables like unemployment and real income have pronounced effects on inequality in both the short and long term. Unemployment is positively associated with income inequality, exacerbating the disparity as job losses primarily affect the lower-income segments. Real income increases, on the other hand, paradoxically heighten inequality due to the uneven distribution of wealth across socio-economic groups. Inflation, however, was found to have no significant effect on income inequality. The study highlights the role of economic policy uncertainty, which disproportionately affects the wealthier segments during economic downturns, leading to a relative decline in inequality. However, the persistent concentration of wealth among the top 10% underscores the need for policy interventions, including progressive taxation and social assistance programs. Policymakers are urged to address unemployment and ensure equitable income growth to mitigate inequality effectively. The research underscores the necessity of robust strategies to navigate global uncertainties and stabilize macroeconomic conditions to achieve inclusive growth in Indonesia.

ANALYSIS OF POVERTY STRUCTURE IN INDONESIA USING A MULTIFACTORIAL APPROACH

Poverty is a crucial issue that affects various social and economic aspects in Indonesia, requiring severe attention to achieve sustainable development. This study aims to analyse the impact of economic growth, income distribution, human development index (HDI), government social assistance, and consumption on poverty levels in Indonesia. Using a quantitative research approach with secondary data from Statistics Indonesia for 2019-2023, this study employs panel data regression analysis using EViews 13 to examine the relationship between variables. The findings indicate that economic growth, income distribution, and HDI significantly impact poverty reduction, while government social assistance and consumption do not show a significant influence. These findings imply the need for inclusive economic growth, fairer income distribution, and investments in human capital development. Moreover, there is a need to improve the design of social assistance programs and strategies to promote productive consumption to be more effective in reducing poverty. This highlights the importance of targeted and integrated policies to address poverty in Indonesia comprehensively.JEL: I32, O15, H53.

Effectiveness of strengthening social protection and security programs in alleviating poverty in rural areas through multi-sector partnerships

The effectiveness of strengthening social protection and security has proven to alleviate poverty in rural communities in the Garut Regency area, West Java Province, Indonesia, due in particular to excellent multi-sectoral cooperation. The social protection and security programs that the Indonesian Government provides are mainly targeted at the poor, as recorded in the social welfare data (DTKS). Poor people who are not registered with the DTKS cannot obtain social assistance programs. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the program so that the people who should be able to receive it can receive it. This is further strengthened through multi-sectoral collaboration between stakeholders, the business sector, academics, communities, and social media. The results of interviews with respondents show that strengthening social protection and security programs through multi-sectoral cooperation is very effective in helping reduce poverty in rural communities in Garut Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia.