The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has several programs under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) program, including the DSWD Medical Assistance Program (MAP), a cash aid financial assistance to qualified indigent individuals to cover their out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Filipinos who are in need of financial assistance for their medical bills, hospital operation procedures, and/or therapy, can use the money provided to help pay for them.

Also Read: How to Get Cash Aid in DSWD Educational Assistance Program

The MAP also provides assistance in the form of medical allowances and cash grants to indigent families who have an immediate need for financial aid. If you are interested to learn more about the DSWD Medical Assistance Program (MAP) and how to apply for it, this article will give you all the information you need.

What is the DSWD Medical Assistance Program (MAP)?

The DSWD Medical Assistance Program is designed to help alleviate the burden of indigent patients and their families when it comes to paying for hospitalization expenses, doctor’s fees, and prescription drugs.

The program helps the poor with their medical expenses, especially those who cannot afford to do so on their own.

The DSWD is committed to addressing the health needs of the poor and vulnerable sectors of the community. Through this program, it aims to provide indigent patients with essential medicines, hospitalization, and medical care.

The DSWD Medical Assistance Program (MAP) is a free health care program that provides financial assistance to indigent Filipino families who need help paying for their medical expenses.

IMPORTANT:

• DSWD’s MAP is the assistance provided to help shoulder the hospitalization expenses, cost of medicines, other medical treatment or procedures such as implants, laboratory procedures, including but not limited to computerized tomography (CT) scan, electrocardiogram (ECG). echocardiogram (2D Echo), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and provision of an assistive device, Other medical expenses such as professional fees may be covered.
• Birthing is not covered unless the patient suffered complications during delivery, subject to the social worker’s assessment. The client shall not be entitled to in-patient financial assistance except for instances when the drug or treatment is not available in the hospital or covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Benefits

DSWD Medical assistance program provides qualified applicants a cash grant to help them with their medical bills and it is intended to help those who are in need and cannot afford to pay for their medical expenses.

Qualifications

The DSWD Medical Assistance Program is available for indigent patients in public and private hospitals and health facilities, including:

• those suffering from cancer or other life-threatening diseases;
• those who are confined in a government mental institution;
• victims of natural disasters like floods, typhoons, and fire outbreaks;
• disabled persons whose disability is not work-related.

The DSWD Medical Assistance Program is particularly helpful for those who are unable to afford their medical bills, as well as those who are not covered by any health insurance.

Requirements

To apply for medical assistance, all applicants must provide a valid ID, along with ANY of the following documents:

• Medical Certificate / Clinical Abstract;
• Discharge Summary;
• Death Summary; or
• Alagang Pinoy Tagubilin Form.

NOTE: The medical certificate, the discharge summary, and the death summary must clearly state the date and the details of the doctor’s name and signature, license number, and patient’s diagnosis; and it must have been issued within the past three (3) months.

Furthermore, the following additional documents are required for specific cases:

For Paying Hospital Bills

• Temporary or Final Hospital Bill / Statement of Account (Outstanding Balance) (including the complete name and signature or the billing clerk; or
• Certificate of Balance / Promissory Note (if the patient has been discharged).
• For Buying Medicines
• Doctor’s Prescription; or
• Treatment Protocol.

NOTE: All documents must clearly state the date they were given, together with the details of the doctor’s signature, license number, and patient’s diagnosis.

For Medical Procedures / Operations

• Laboratory Request;
• Laboratory Protocol; or
• Doctor’s Order.

NOTE: These documents should clearly state the date they were given, together with the details of the doctor’s signature, license number, and patient’s diagnosis. Also, it should have been issued within the past three (3) months.

For Therapy and Other Forms of Treatment

• Treatment Protocol (indicating the date it was given; full name, license number, and signature of the doctor);
• PhilHealth Certification (stating that the member has used up his/her PhilHealth benefits;
• Quotation (including the full amount to be paid, with the full name and signature of the issuing officer); or
• Psychiatrist / Psychologist Certification (indicating the date it was given; full name, license number, and signature of the doctor).

How to Apply for the DSWD Medical Assistance Program (DSWD-MAP)

Those who would like to apply for medical assistance should go to the nearest Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office in their area. Those residing in the National Capital Region can go to the Central Office, while those residing in provinces can go to the Field Office. The department also has satellite locations in every local government unit.

The DSWD office will give you instructions on how to apply for financial assistance, as well as other types of financial help. There are three major steps:

(1) Screening. The first step in applying for financial assistance is to submit the necessary documentary requirements.

(2) Assessment. The Social Welfare Officer will look into your application and determine the type of financial assistance that’s appropriate for you.

(3) Payout. After completing the application, the financial assistance will be forwarded to the DSWD for approval.

Video: DSWD Region III Comes to Patient’s Aid

In a video posted on YouTube, a DSWD Region III official discussed the financial assistance that the agency can provide to a patient in need of a CT scan. The video was shared by Serbisyong Bayanihan, a program of UNTV Public Service:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about the DSWD medical cash aid:

1. What is DSWD’s AICS program?

The AICS program is a regular program of the DSWD that provides financial assistance to individuals in crisis. It offers various types of aid, such as medical assistance, transportation assistance, burial assistance, and educational assistance.

2. How can I avail of financial assistance from DWSD?

To apply for financial assistance, individuals should visit the nearest DSWD office. These are located in different areas across the country, such as the central office in Quezon City and DSWD field offices in different regions.

The DSWD will also give instructions on how to apply for various types of financial assistance. However, there are usually three basic steps involved in this process.

Step One. The first step in the process is to submit the necessary documents. These documents are usually taken during the screening process.

Step Two. After interviewing you, a Social Worker will then determine the type of financial assistance that’s available to you. Based on your needs, the worker will also determine the appropriate level of support.

Step Three. After completing the application, the DSWD will then review the documents related to the application and determine the appropriate payment for the financial assistance.

3. What are the required documents?

Depending on the type of assistance you need, the documents that you need to submit will vary. For instance, if you’re applying for medical assistance, you should prepare necessary documents such as the doctor’s prescription, hospital bill, and laboratory request. In certain cases, a Social Case Study report from the local government unit is required.

4. When will I receive the financial assistance?

In general, the DSWD can release financial aid worth less than PHP 10,000 within just one working day. On the other hand, aid worth over PHP 10,000 can be issued within three to five days depending on the approval of upper management. In cases of funeral and medical assistance, a guarantee letter is also allowed.

5. Who can I call to ask about DSWD’s financial assistance programs?

To discuss or ask about the AICS program or other DSWD services, individuals can call its Agency Operations Center. This can be reached by calling its 24-hour hotline number.

Smart — 0943 464 8026 / 0943 464 8086 / 0932 933 3251

Globe — 0995 715 3926 / 0995 715 3934

NOTE: The above mentioned numbers are also available to answer inquiries from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm every working day, excluding holidays. These can be reached from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm during weekends and on holidays.

6. What other programs or services similar to the AICS are offered by the DSWD?

The DSWD also has the Assistance to Communities in Need Program, as well as Malasakit Centers, wherein recipients can avail of the department’s aid.

7. What is the DSWD Assistance to Communities in Need Program?

The DSWD provides financial and other support to communities in need, which are those who have been affected by natural or human-induced disasters. These include individuals who have been displaced or are experiencing crisis due to the demolition or eviction of their homes.

8. What are DSWD Malasakit Centers?

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for various government agencies that provide financial and medical assistance to the poor. It is located in different public hospitals across the country.

Summary

It is good to know that there is a government agency that can help us with our medical needs. For instance, the DSWD’s Medical Assistance Program can provide financial support and medical assistance to our kababayans.

That is why all Filipinos who are in need of financial and medical assistance, do not hesitate to apply for the DSWD’s Medical Assistance Program. With the help of this program, you will be able to get the treatment that you need without having to worry about the cost.

Contact Information: DSWD Central Office

If you are based in the NCR and would like to contact the DSWD Central Office regarding the AICS program, please contact the following contact details. The program’s management team will then address your concerns.

Address: Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, 1126
Telephone: (02) 8931 8101
Email: inquiry@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://www.dswd.gov.ph/

NOTE: Aside from its central office in Quezon City, the DSWD also has field offices located in different areas across the country. These can be found in the agency’s website and in its contact details here: https://www.dswd.gov.ph/directory-of-officials-field-office/

DISCLAIMER: This guide is intended to help people who are looking for information about the DSWD’s financial assistance program. However, it should also be noted that this information is only presented for general purposes. To learn more about the agency’s AICS program, individuals can visit its official website or its Facebook page.