“Hindi po talaga pangmahirap lang ang Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS),” said Director Edwin Morata of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Crisis Intervention Program during the agency’s media forum on Thursday, May 21.
The agency clarified that AICS is not limited to poor families, saying middle-income earners and other individuals may also seek assistance when sudden emergencies overwhelm their financial capacity, including medical crises, disasters, and other shocks.
“Hindi pinipili ng shocks kung ikaw ay mayaman o mahirap, may trabaho o wala, kung ikaw ay nasa middle class o ikaw ay low-income earner o minimum wage. Maaaring disaster, lahat tayo ay apektado. Ang energy emergency, lahat tayo ay apektado. Even health shocks, lahat tayo ay apektado,” Dir. Morata told reporters.
“Yan po ang lagi natin sinasabi na kapag may pangangailangan na hindi napaghandaan ng isang tao o pamilya, yung pinansyal na kapasidad nila na tugunan yung pangangailangan, kaya may ganito tayong programa. Ito ay binubuksan para sa lahat. Nandito po ang DSWD, bukas po ang pinto,” he added.
Morata said the DSWD continues to update and improve the AICS guidelines to respond to the changing needs of clients from different income groups.
He also said the agency has streamlined the application process. AICS applicants now go through three steps: queuing, assessment and interview, and release of assistance.
For basic documentary requirements, clients must present a valid identification card of the claimant, along with documents supporting the type of assistance being requested.
For medical assistance, clients may submit a medical certificate, medical abstract, or certification from a psychiatrist or psychologist. Those seeking help for laboratory or diagnostic procedures, medical implants, or assistive devices must present a request for the procedure or device with a price quotation.
Patients undergoing therapy or special treatment must submit a doctor’s order or treatment protocol with a price quotation. For medicine assistance, clients must attach a prescription, while those requesting help for hospital bills must submit a statement of account.
The weekly DSWD Media Forum was held at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center and was hosted by Special Assistant to the Secretary Raymond Burgos and Digital Media Service Director Dianne Joie Ruiz.