For many older people, the challenge of growing old is not simply a matter of declining physical strength. It can also mean having fewer opportunities to earn an income, greater dependence on family members, and increasing difficulty meeting everyday expenses. In Papua, the provincial government is seeking to address some of these pressures through a social protection program targeting 4,000 elderly residents.
Known as Kartu Jalan, or the Elderly Social Security Card, the program has received a budget allocation of Rp2 billion and is designed primarily for people aged 65 and above who live in poverty and have no regular source of income. Each selected beneficiary is scheduled to receive Rp500,000 for a three-month period.
The initiative is being implemented by the Papua Provincial Government through its Social Affairs, Population, and Civil Registration Agency. Beyond providing direct financial assistance, the program is also being developed as a broader instrument of social protection, with the government exploring possible benefits involving healthcare access and reduced sea transportation expenses.
The program reflects a practical approach to supporting older citizens, particularly those whose limited financial resources make it difficult to meet basic daily needs. It also places social welfare among the priorities of regional development, recognizing that economic progress must include people who are no longer able to participate fully in the workforce.
Rp2 Billion Allocated to Support 4,000 Elderly Residents
The Papua Provincial Government has allocated Rp2 billion for the Kartu Jalan program, according to a report published by ANTARA on November 4, 2026.
The funding is intended to support 4,000 elderly residents across eight regencies and one city within Papua Province. The program prioritizes people aged 65 and above who belong to economically vulnerable households and do not have a regular income.
The allocation translates into an average assistance value of Rp500,000 per recipient for a three-month period. The amount is intended to help beneficiaries meet essential expenses rather than serve as a replacement for a regular pension or other long-term income source.
Herald Berhitu, Head of the Papua Provincial Social Affairs, Population and Civil Registration Agency, explained that the assistance was designed to protect vulnerable elderly residents and contribute to efforts to reduce extreme poverty.
He said the government had specifically prioritized older people who lacked a stable source of income and faced difficulties meeting their everyday needs.
“Social assistance is a form of protection to ensure that vulnerable elderly people do not experience difficulties in meeting their basic needs, including the risk of hunger,” Herald said, as quoted by ANTARA.
His statement highlights the program’s immediate purpose. For older residents without regular earnings, even relatively modest financial support can help cover food and other essential household expenses.
The initiative also reflects an understanding that elderly poverty requires specific attention. Older people may have limited capacity to return to work, while their need for healthcare and daily support can increase with age.
How the Kartu Jalan Programme Works
Kartu Jalan is administered through the provincial government’s social affairs agency and is integrated with Indonesia’s Population Identification Number, known as the Nomor Induk Kependudukan (NIK).
The use of NIK provides an administrative basis for identifying beneficiaries and linking assistance to their official population records. This is important for a program covering thousands of recipients across geographically dispersed districts.
According to the Herald, the provincial government has coordinated with regency and municipal administrations to collect information on potential beneficiaries. The process is followed by field verification to assess whether applicants meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
The government has also involved verification teams and worked with non-governmental organizations to help ensure that assistance reaches people who genuinely qualify.
The program uses household welfare classifications, including deciles one to five, as part of its eligibility assessment. Priority is given to elderly residents without a regular income.
This approach is intended to reduce the possibility of assistance being distributed to people who do not meet the established criteria.
Another important feature is the payment mechanism. Rather than distributing the money through intermediaries, the government has arranged for assistance to be transferred directly into the personal bank accounts of eligible recipients.
Direct transfers can make the distribution process more transparent and reduce the risk of funds being diverted before reaching beneficiaries. They also provide a clearer administrative record of payments.
However, the effectiveness of this arrangement depends on whether recipients have access to bank accounts and can use them without difficulty. For elderly people living in remote communities, practical assistance may still be needed to access their funds.
Targeting Poverty Among Older People
The Kartu Jalan program is not intended for every elderly resident in Papua. Its limited budget means that the government must prioritize people facing the greatest financial difficulties.
The main target group consists of residents aged 65 and above who are classified as economically disadvantaged and have no fixed income.
This targeting reflects the circumstances of many vulnerable older people, particularly those who have spent most of their lives working in informal or subsistence-based activities without access to a formal pension scheme.
In such circumstances, the loss of physical capacity can directly affect household income. Some elderly residents may depend on relatives, while others have to continue working despite age-related limitations.
For those without reliable family support, the risk of financial hardship can become more serious.
Herald explained that the program was designed to help prevent vulnerable elderly people from struggling to obtain basic necessities.
The emphasis on extreme poverty also places Kartu Jalan within a broader social protection agenda. Instead of treating assistance as a general benefit for everyone above a certain age, the program directs available resources towards people considered most in need.
This is particularly relevant in a province where geographical conditions can make access to public services and economic opportunities more difficult in some areas.
Government Considers Increasing Assistance in 2027
The provincial government has indicated that it intends to increase the value of assistance in 2027.
Herald Berhitu said the proposed increase would depend on the provincial government’s fiscal capacity.
The statement suggests that the administration recognizes the need to review the adequacy of the current assistance level while also considering the limits of the regional budget.
At Rp500,000 for three months, the program provides an average of approximately Rp166,667 per month for each beneficiary. This amount can offer supplementary support, but it cannot independently cover all living expenses.
Any increase in the future would therefore need to be assessed alongside the number of eligible recipients, the available budget, and the government’s other social welfare commitments.
Maintaining a balance between wider coverage and adequate assistance will be an important consideration as the program develops.
A larger payment could provide more meaningful support to each beneficiary, while expanding the number of recipients could bring assistance to additional vulnerable residents. Both objectives require careful budget planning and reliable beneficiary data.
The government’s stated intention to consider an increase in 2027 indicates that Kartu Jalan is being viewed as a program that may be adjusted over time rather than a one-off distribution.
Kartu Jalan Could Expand Beyond Cash Assistance
One of the most significant developments reported by ANTARA on November 5, 2026, was the provincial government’s plan to broaden the benefits associated with Kartu Jalan.
Herald said the government was exploring cooperation with several parties to provide elderly beneficiaries with reduced fares for sea transportation.
This proposal is particularly relevant to Papua, where maritime transport plays an important role in connecting coastal settlements and islands. For older residents who need to travel for family, administrative or other essential purposes, transportation expenses can represent a considerable burden.
The proposed arrangement would seek to make sea travel more affordable for beneficiaries. However, the government was still exploring cooperation with relevant parties, meaning the transport discount should be understood as a planned expansion rather than an established benefit already available to all cardholders.
The provincial administration was also discussing a possible arrangement with BPJS Kesehatan, Indonesia’s national health insurance administrator.
The discussions concern whether Kartu Jalan could help elderly residents who have not yet been registered as participants in the Contribution Assistance Recipient scheme, known as Penerima Bantuan Iuran (PBI).
Under this arrangement, eligible participants receive government assistance for their health insurance contributions.
Herald said the provincial government had already held discussions with BPJS Kesehatan about the possibility of using Kartu Jalan to help older people whose information had not yet been included in the existing PBI system.
“We have spoken with BPJS Kesehatan. It is possible that through this card, elderly people could receive free healthcare services, particularly those whose data have not yet been included or accommodated,” he said.
The proposal could help address gaps in access to healthcare among vulnerable elderly residents. However, the arrangement remains under discussion and should not yet be interpreted as automatic free healthcare coverage for every Kartu Jalan recipient.
If implemented, the additional benefits could make the card more useful as an integrated social protection instrument, connecting financial assistance with access to essential services.
From Direct Assistance to Broader Social Protection
The potential expansion of Kartu Jalan is significant because older people usually need multiple types of support.
Financial assistance can help pay for food and daily necessities, but it cannot by itself resolve difficulties related to healthcare access or transportation.
An elderly resident who receives cash assistance may still struggle to reach a health facility, particularly if the journey requires travel by boat or other forms of transport. Similarly, someone who is not registered in the appropriate health insurance scheme may continue facing financial barriers when seeking medical treatment.
By exploring cooperation with transport providers and BPJS Kesehatan, the Papua Provincial Government is seeking to address some of these interconnected challenges.
The initiative also highlights the importance of coordination between regional government agencies and national institutions. Social protection programs are more effective when beneficiary information, administrative systems, and public services can work together.
The integration of NIK-based records gives Kartu Jalan an administrative base. The next challenge will be ensuring that any additional benefits can be implemented consistently and that elderly residents understand how to access them.
Ensuring the Program Meets Those Who Need It
The success of Kartu Jalan will ultimately depend on more than its budget allocation or the number of cards issued.
The first priority is ensuring that the 4,000 selected beneficiaries genuinely meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Regular data updates and field verification will be important, particularly when residents move, pass away, or experience changes in their economic circumstances.
The direct transfer mechanism also requires attention. Some older people may have difficulty managing bank accounts or travelling to access their funds. Assistance from local officials and families may therefore be necessary, while ensuring that beneficiaries retain control over their money.
Another important consideration is transparency. Clear information about eligibility, payment schedules, and complaint procedures can help prevent misunderstandings and strengthen public confidence.
Finally, the proposed expansion into healthcare and transportation benefits will require clear agreements with the relevant institutions. The government must clarify who qualifies for benefits, when they will be available, and how to access them.
These practical considerations will determine whether Kartu Jalan develops into a dependable social protection program rather than remaining primarily a cash assistance initiative.
Conclusion
The Papua Provincial Government’s Kartu Jalan program represents a meaningful effort to strengthen social protection for vulnerable older residents. With Rp2 billion allocated for 4,000 beneficiaries, the initiative provides Rp500,000 in assistance for a three-month period, prioritizing people aged 65 and above who live in poverty and lack regular income. The government’s plan to explore additional healthcare access and reduce sea transportation costs also points towards a broader approach to elderly welfare. Nevertheless, the program’s long-term impact will depend on accurate beneficiary data, transparent payments, and the successful implementation of its proposed additional benefits. Ultimately, supporting older people is not simply about providing financial assistance. It is about ensuring that those who have contributed to their families and communities throughout their lives can continue to live with dignity, security, and access to essential services. Through consistent implementation and stronger institutional cooperation, Kartu Jalan has the potential to become an important part of Papua’s inclusive development agenda.
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