TRENGGALEK – The Trenggalek government has introduced a policy that prevents disability aid recipients from receiving the same assistance twice. Officials say the move will help distribute support more evenly to residents who have never received government aid before.
The policy applies to disability support equipment such as wheelchairs, walking canes, prosthetic legs, and prosthetic arms. Authorities in Trenggalek believe the system can expand access for more people with disabilities across the region.
Head of the Trenggalek Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Agency, Habib Solehudin, said the government provides assistance based on individual needs instead of repeated requests.
“If someone has already received equipment like a wheelchair, they will not receive the same aid again. However, elderly residents will remain a priority in welfare programs,” Habib said.
The policy follows a social assistance distribution program from Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs through Sentra Kartini Temanggung. This year, the ministry distributed aid worth Rp 191.95 million to 68 beneficiaries in Trenggalek.
The program covers basic living support and assistive devices for people with disabilities. Officials also organized therapy services and conducted measurements for prosthetic arms and legs during the latest social service event.
“Besides distributing aid, we also provide therapy services at rehabilitation centers and conduct measurements for prosthetic devices,” Habib explained.
Meanwhile, Senior Social Worker Sartono from the Ministry of Social Affairs said the government aims to provide long-term rehabilitation support instead of one-time assistance only.
“In this social service program, we also provide therapy services at two therapy centers in Trenggalek,” Sartono said.
Authorities conduct field surveys and assessments before selecting aid recipients. Local government teams first identify residents’ needs before submitting proposals to the Ministry of Social Affairs.
“Our teams map residents’ needs in the field, then we submit the recommendations to the ministry before the assistance reaches beneficiaries,” Habib added.
Recipients currently come from 12 districts across Trenggalek Regency. Officials said the beneficiary list may change every year depending on local conditions and urgent needs in each area.
The government hopes the new distribution system can create fairer access to disability assistance programs. Officials also want to ensure that residents who have never received aid can obtain equal support opportunities in the future.
“With this system, we hope assistance distribution becomes more targeted and more evenly distributed,” Sartono said.