By: Dhita Karuniawati )*
In an effort to realize more targeted, transparent, and efficient social assistance (Bansos) governance, the Indonesian Government continues to build a single, nationally integrated data foundation. By strengthening the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN) and cross-sector integration, the government is committed to implementing major reforms in the Bansos distribution system, which has often faced various challenges ranging from duplicate data and inaccuracies to misuse of aid.
This strategic step is seen as a long-term solution to ensure that all social assistance truly reaches those in need, without overlapping or neglecting vulnerable groups. In a constantly fluctuating economy and global inflation, the existence of a single data base is a vital instrument in maintaining social and economic resilience.
Social assistance (Bansos) is assistance in the form of money, goods, or services to individuals, families, groups, or communities that are poor, disadvantaged, and/or vulnerable to social risks. This is stipulated in Minister of Social Affairs Regulation (Permensos) Number 1 of 2019 concerning the Distribution of Social Assistance Expenditures within the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).
Basically, social assistance recipients must be proposed in the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN), previously known as the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS). Proposals are made by district/city governments (pemkab/pemkot) together with the smallest government level, namely villages/sub-districts. However, the public also has the opportunity to propose themselves as social assistance recipients independently.
The government officially used the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN) as the basis for social assistance distribution starting in the second quarter of 2025. Furthermore, this policy is expected to make the distribution of social assistance such as the Family Hope Program (PKH) and basic food packages more targeted.
As is known, this social assistance is distributed every three months; Quarter 1, Quarter 2, Quarter 3, and Quarter 4. Currently, we are entering the distribution of Quarter 2. The second phase of social assistance distribution began on May 28, 2025, to a total of 16.5 million beneficiary families (KPM) based on validated data.
DTSEN is the latest data system that replaces the DTKS (National Social and Economic Single Data System) as the primary reference for social assistance distribution in Indonesia. This data integrates various sources from ministries and institutions, then undergoes rigorous verification by the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). Therefore, only families registered and validated in DTSEN are eligible to receive Family Hope Program (PKH), staple food packages, and other social programs.
The government, through the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), announced the deletion of 1.9 million social assistance recipients’ data during the latest distribution process. Residents are urged to immediately check their social assistance participant status through the National Socioeconomic Single Data System (DTSEN), which is now the sole official reference.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) stated that this change was not solely the Ministry’s wish, but rather based on updated recipient data adapted to field conditions and the latest regulations.
The change in recipient data followed the enactment of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 4 of 2025, signed by President Prabowo on February 5, 2025. With this Presidential Instruction, the government officially replaced the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) with the National Socio-Economic Single Data System (DTSEN) as the reference for aid distribution. This adjustment was necessary to ensure that social assistance truly reached those in need.
Gus Ipul stated that due to this adjustment, some recipients previously listed as receiving social assistance no longer receive it, while others began receiving assistance in the second quarter.
In addition to updating the data, the Ministry of Social Affairs also coordinated with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) to ensure that assistance was received by those truly entitled. According to Gus Ipul, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) is analyzing the accounts of social assistance recipients to detect any anomalies that could indicate inaccurate targeting.
The distribution of the second phase of social assistance in 2025 continues to move significantly. As of July 1, 2025, the Ministry of Social Affairs recorded that more than 8.04 million beneficiary families (KPM) had received funds from the Family Hope Program (PKH), or approximately 80.49 percent of the total quota.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated that the value of the aid distributed reached IDR 5.8 trillion. In addition to PKH, food assistance through the Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) scheme, or staple food assistance, has also reached more than 15.4 million KPM, or approximately 84.71 percent of the quota, with a disbursement value of IDR 9.2 trillion.
At the same time, the government has also implemented the distribution of additional aid, or the social assistance bolstering program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. This program aims to strengthen people’s purchasing power amidst challenges.The realization is on par with the BPNT (National Assistance Program for the Poor), targeting 15.4 million beneficiaries (84.71 percent) with a total assistance value of IDR 6.19 trillion.
Strengthening the single data base will not be successful without strong synergy between the central and regional governments. Regional governments play a crucial role in validating and updating data, as they best understand the conditions of their citizens. Furthermore, cross-sector collaboration is also strengthened.
Developing a single data foundation to optimize social assistance is a step forward in Indonesia’s social protection reform. The single data foundation the government is building is not simply intended to streamline social assistance distribution. Furthermore, this data serves as the foundation for designing more responsive, adaptive, and evidence-based social policies.
Many challenges remain, particularly regarding consistent data updates and regional capacity. However, government commitment, technological support, and community participation are key assets for realizing a more equitable, accurate, and sustainable social assistance system. With a strong and integrated data foundation, the hope of achieving social justice is not just talk, but a reality that can be realized.
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute
