Apply for cash gifts, seniors having milestone birthdays encouraged

The National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) has urged qualified senior citizens (namely those who just celebrated their 80th, 85th, 90th and 95th birthdays) to begin processing their applications for the one-time P10,000 cash gift under Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarian Act.

The call came as some senior citizens in Guinayangan, Quezon, expressed concerns over the planned rollout of the cash gift, which initially appeared to benefit only those celebrating milestone birthdays between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

In response, NCSC officer-in-charge, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, clarified that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is currently in the process of allocating funds for octogenarians who turned 80 between 17 March 2024 and 31 December 2024.

Loreche guested on Thursday in DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Usapang OFW.

“The budget allocated to us under the General Appropriations Act is only for those reaching milestone ages from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. However, those who turned 80, 85, 90, or 95 between 17 March 2024 and 31 December 2024 are still qualified,” she said via Zoom.

“Since the budget has not yet been disbursed, these seniors will be placed on a waitlist, and they may receive their cash gifts by 2026,” Loreche explained.

She assured qualified senior citizens that they would still receive their benefits once the DBM finalizes the budget. “The DBM has asked us for the final list, so these senior citizens should start filing their applications now,” she added.

Loreche also encouraged octogenarians with milestone birthdays in 2025 to begin their applications to ensure they receive their cash gifts within the year.

When asked about the delay in the budget allocation for those who qualified in 2024, DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran explained that the law states grantees must receive the cash gift within one year of its effectivity.

“Now that it has been clarified that implementation must be retroactive, we are currently confirming the funding requirements based on the list initially provided by the NCSC. Once verified, we will recommend charging these funds against the FY 2024 budget,” Libiran told the DAILY TRIBUNE.

If a qualified octogenarian passes away before receiving the cash gift, Loreche stated that the nearest surviving kin could still claim the amount. However, additional documentary requirements must be submitted by the claimant.