Filipinos facing sudden medical bills, burial costs, transportation problems, school expenses, or other emergencies may apply for help under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
The program, better known as AICS, provides short-term help to individuals and families facing an unexpected crisis.
One important point is that applicants do not need to be unemployed or extremely poor to ask for assistance.
DSWD said AICS may also help middle-income families and people with regular jobs if an emergency has temporarily affected their ability to pay for basic needs.
Having a Job Does Not Automatically Disqualify You
DSWD Crisis Intervention Program Director Edwin Morata explained in May that emergencies can affect people from different income groups.
AICS is therefore open to Filipinos who can show that they are currently facing a crisis and need temporary support.
This may include workers dealing with a sudden hospitalization, death in the family, disaster, or another unexpected expense.
What Types of Assistance Are Available?
DSWD says AICS may provide help for:
- medical expenses
- burial or funeral expenses
- transportation
- education
- food
- cash or other support related to an emergency
Medical assistance may help cover hospital bills, medicines, laboratory tests, medical procedures, implants, and assistive devices, depending on the assessment of the case.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
Applicants normally need a valid government-issued ID and documents proving the emergency.
For medical aid, this may include a medical certificate, clinical abstract, prescription, laboratory request, hospital bill, or treatment quotation.
For burial assistance, applicants may be asked for a death certificate and funeral bill.
Educational requests may require proof of enrollment and school expenses.
The exact requirements can vary depending on the type of assistance and the applicant’s situation.
How to Apply for AICS
Applicants may go to a DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit, regional Field Office, or available satellite office.
A social worker will assess the applicant’s situation and supporting documents before determining what assistance may be provided.
AICS services remain available on weekdays, and DSWD has said the program is open to people facing a current crisis regardless of whether they belong to a low-income or middle-income household.
More Than 4.2 Million Helped in 2026
From January to June 2026, DSWD said more than 4.2 million clients received assistance through AICS.
The agency released more than Php 27.9 billion for medical, burial, education, food, cash relief, psychosocial assistance, and other support during the period.