Starting October 30, members of the Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines earning a monthly salary not exceeding ₱10,000 will be eligible for financial assistance under the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program.
Irene Dumlao, the assistant secretary and spokesperson for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), announced that qualified beneficiaries will receive cash assistance amounting to ₱8,000 through their disbursement accounts.
Previously, the program was limited to SSS members with a monthly salary cap of ₱20,000, but it has now been expanded to assist more low-income workers, allowing greater relief during times of economic strain.
The UPLIFT program was established to alleviate the impacts of rising oil prices, attributed to geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
On October 23 and 24, Group 3 SSS members, earning up to ₱20,000, received the second tranche of their cash aid. The third and fourth tranches, amounting to ₱4,000 for Group 2, deemed ‘near poor’ individuals, will be credited to their electronic wallets starting November 6.
Dumlao advised beneficiaries without e-wallets to wait for notifications from their local government units regarding the schedule for manual payouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the assistance for low-earning SSS members begin?
The assistance will start on October 30.
How much cash assistance will eligible SSS members receive?
Eligible SSS members will receive ₱8,000 in cash assistance.
What is the new salary limit for SSS members to qualify for this assistance?
The new salary limit for eligibility is a monthly salary not exceeding ₱10,000.
Reporting by Ashley Romero for Rapport Philippines. This report was prepared from available source material and reviewed for factual consistency. Further verified updates will be added as the newsroom receives them.