Reasons Residents Use Intermediaries to Access Social Aid: From Inability to Use ATMs to Dislike Queuing

JAKARTA — Various social assistance (bansos) from the Jakarta Provincial Government can now be accessed online or through ATM machines. Social aids such as the Jakarta Elderly Card (KLJ), Jakarta Disability Card (KPDJ), Jakarta Children’s Card (KAJ), and Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) are disbursed in cash every month. Some funds can also be used to redeem subsidised food packages. However, in practice, not all recipients can access them easily. The elderly are the group that most frequently encounters obstacles, particularly because they are not proficient in using ATM machines. Minah also admitted to being illiterate, so she still struggles even after being taught. Additionally, there are no staff at the ATM locations to assist her. She was forced to use the services of a joki because her child is ill and cannot help, while waiting for her busy working grandchildren takes too long. Minah claimed that the joki who helps her never charges a fee. She usually gives Rp 50,000 from the total social aid of Rp 300,000 she receives. “I don’t mind, I’m happy to share so we both benefit,” she said. “It’s entirely voluntary, but I give Rp 50,000; I feel content and not shortchanged,” she added in South Jakarta on Wednesday. Unlike Minah, Woko uses a joki not because he cannot use the ATM. The distance from his home to the nearest Bank DKI ATM is only about 800 metres. However, he admitted to often being too lazy to queue for long periods at the ATM. “I’m not challenged by the ATM itself, just sometimes too lazy to queue,” he said.