RRI.CO.ID, Batam - The Batam City Administration in Riau Islands Province has integrated biometric verification into its expanded cash assistance program for the elderly, which now commands a substantial budget of nearly IDR 20 billion (USD 1.25 million) this year to enhance fiscal accountability and social welfare.

As reported by Antara, the Social and Community Empowerment Agency of Batam, has officially increased the monthly allowance for senior citizens listed in the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) to IDR 400,000 (USD 25). Zulkifli Aman, the Head of Batam Social and Community Empowerment Agency, confirmed that this policy was established late last year and is now active for the current fiscal year.

The program has seen a significant surge in its reach, doubling its initial capacity to support 4,000 residents from the start of the current budget cycle.

“Last year, the number of recipients started at 2,000 and then increased by another 2,000 in the revised regional budget. This year, we are starting directly with 4,000 people, with the assistance value rising from IDR 300,000 (USD 18.50) to IDR 400,000 per month,” conveyed Zulkifli in Batam on Friday, January 23, 2026.

The disbursement, which may occur monthly or quarterly, remains contingent upon the completion of a thorough data verification process. To safeguard the integrity of the multi-million dollar allocation, authorities are introducing high-tech monitoring tools.

“We plan to purchase 12 fingerprint devices, one for each subdistrict. Every month, beneficiaries will use these to verify their data,” explained Zulkifli.

For senior citizens who are too ill to travel, local subdistrict officials will conduct direct home visits to perform the necessary verification.

The aid is strictly targeted at Batam residents aged at least 60 as of January 1, 2025, who do not hold civil servant, military, or police retiree status. Furthermore, eligible individuals must not be current recipients of other national social programs such as the Family Hope Program (PKH) or Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT).

Because the recipient list is dynamic, local subdistrict heads are tasked with recording any deaths so that replacements can be proposed during the revised budget sessions.

“If an elderly recipient passes away during the program, it will be noted by the local village head, a replacement will be sought, and then proposed for the revised regional budget,” added Zulkifli.

He emphasized that the increased funding necessitates a zero-tolerance policy for administrative errors. “The budget for this elderly assistance is nearly IDR 20 billion this year, so oversight must be strict. If there are administrative mistakes, it becomes our responsibility," said Zulkifli. ***