DSWD: No application needed for UPLIFT assistance, beneficiaries already identified

DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the UPLIFT program is a targeted social protection measure, with recipients already identified by the government.

“Dahil itong UPLIFT assistance ay targeted, ibig sabihin tukoy na po natin kung sino yung makakatanggap ng tulong to cushion the impact of the ongoing energy emergency, hindi na po kinakailangan na mag-apply o magtungo sa isang opisina sapagkat kayo po ay makakatanggap (Since the UPLIFT assistance is targeted, meaning we already know who will receive the aid to cushion the impact of the ongoing energy emergency, there is no need to apply or visit any office because qualified beneficiaries will receive the assistance directly),” Dumlao said.

The clarification comes as the government continues distributing financial assistance to vulnerable sectors affected by rising commodity prices amid the energy emergency.

DSWD is targeting 7.5 million households under three groups for the UPLIFT Assistance.

Group 1 covers 3.5 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Walang Gutom Program. They will receive a one-time ₱2,000 assistance.

As of Aug. 3, 2.8 million 4Ps households and 214,000 Walang Gutom Program beneficiaries had received the July subsidy, according to the DSWD.

Group 2 covers 2.5 million poor and near-poor households identified through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) who are not beneficiaries of 4Ps or the Walang Gutom Program. They will receive ₱2,000 monthly for six months.

A total of 417,000 Group 2 households had received their first payout.

Group 3 covers 1.5 million qualified low-wage earners identified through the 2024 CBMS.

Eligible beneficiaries will receive ₱2,000 monthly for six consecutive months, from July to December.

For employed low-income workers under Group 3, Dumlao said at least 978,000 households had already received the subsidy.

Group 3 covers employed workers with a Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) below ₱20,000 who have paid at least one Social Security System (SSS) contribution in 2025 or 2026 and have an active SSS disbursement account.

The SSS is responsible for depositing the financial assistance directly into the registered bank or disbursement accounts of qualified beneficiaries.

Overall, Dumlao said 4.4 million households had received the ₱2,000 UPLIFT assistance for July across all beneficiary groups.

The DSWD said payouts continue nationwide to ensure that all identified beneficiaries receive the assistance intended to cushion the impact of the ongoing energy emergency. — Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz