The Effectiveness of Regional Cash Social Assistance in Improving the Targeting Accuracy of Beneficiaries in Serang Regency

• Novi Wulandari

  Universitas Pamulang

  Author

This study examined the effectiveness of the Regional Cash Social Assistance program (Bantuan Sosial Tunai Daerah/BSTD) in improving the targeting accuracy of beneficiaries in Serang Regency, Banten Province. The poverty rate in Serang Regency as of March 2025 stood at 4.48 percent, with 68,510 people living below the poverty line of IDR 461,388 per capita per month. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 18 purposively selected informants, participant observation, and documentation analysis. Program effectiveness was measured using five indicators proposed by Edy Sutrisno (2010): program understanding, targeting accuracy, timeliness, goal achievement, and tangible change. The findings revealed that BSTD implementation had not reached an optimal level of effectiveness. Targeting accuracy and tangible change were assessed as the weakest dimensions. The primary obstacles identified were the transitional challenge of migrating from the former DTKS database to the new National Integrated Social and Economic Data system (DTSEN) under Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2025, limited community participation in beneficiary verification, and weak inter-agency data coordination. The study recommended accelerating DTSEN operator training, revitalizing participatory village deliberation, and developing complementary economic empowerment programs.

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