The Impact of Social Assistance on The Community In Bendoroto Village, Munjungan Sub-District, Trenggalek District

This research aims to evaluate the impact of social assistance on the community in Bendaroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency. The focus of this research is to understand the type of social assistance received, the economic and social impacts felt by the community, and the problems faced during the implementation of the program, Such problems include administrative issues and inequities in disbursement that result in delays in aid disbursement, which reduces aid effectiveness and hampers financial planning. The research methods used include surveys and interviews. The survey results showed that the majority of respondents received direct cash assistance (BLT) and food assistance, with 60% reporting an increase in purchasing power and 45% experiencing an increase in food consumption. Significant social impacts were also seen from the reduction of financial burden for 70% of respondents and the increase in productive motivation for 50% of respondents. However, significant problems were also identified, such as uneven distribution of aid (55%), delays in distribution (60%), and lack of information regarding aid (45%). These findings show that although social assistance contributes positively to economic and social well-being, there are weaknesses in implementation that need to be improved. Recommendations to increase the effectiveness of social assistance include improvements in the distribution system, increased transparency, and better counseling on the use of assistance. This research provides important insights for the development of social assistance policies that are more effective and responsive to the needs of the community.


Introduction
Social assistance is an important instrument in the government's efforts to improve the welfare of the community, especially those in difficult economic conditions.Social assistance not only provides direct assistance in the form of cash, food, and housing, but also includes indirect assistance The Impact of Social Assistance on The Community In Bendoroto Village, Munjungan Sub-District, Trenggalek District such as skills training and education.Through these various forms of assistance, the government seeks to reduce social and economic disparities and improve the quality of life of disadvantaged people (Rahman, 2017;Syaprianto & Herman, 2023).
In Indonesia, social assistance programs have become one of the main pillars of social development policy.Programs such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT), and Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) have been launched to help the poor and vulnerable.These programs are designed to provide targeted and sustainable assistance, with the hope of having a significant positive impact on the welfare of the recipient community (Dwita et al., 2023;Hanna & Karlan, 2017).
Bendoroto Village, which is located in Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency is one of the villages that has received attention in the social assistance program.The village has economic characteristics that are largely dependent on the agricultural and fishing sectors, with relatively low income levels.This condition makes many families in Bendoroto Village meet the criteria for receiving social assistance.Therefore, understanding the impact of social assistance in these villages is very important to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and formulate better policies in the future (Savitri & Putra, 2021).
This study aims to determine the impact of social assistance on the community in Bendaroto Village.The focus of this research is to identify how social assistance has affected the economic, social, and psychological aspects of the recipient community.Thus, this study not only focuses on the direct impact of increasing income and economic well-being, but also looks at long-term impacts such as behavior change, increased skills, and confidence of the recipient community (Youlla et al., 2020).
In the economic context, social assistance is expected to increase people's purchasing power, reduce poverty, and create better economic opportunities.Cash assistance, for example, can be used to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and education, so that recipient communities can focus more on productive activities.Food and housing assistance also plays an important role in ensuring that the basic needs of the community are met, which in turn can improve the overall quality of life (Sofi, 2021).
From the social side, social assistance can have a significant impact on relationships between community members.Social assistance that is distributed fairly and transparently can increase the sense of solidarity and trust between citizens.In addition, training and education programs included in social assistance can open up new opportunities for communities to improve their skills and knowledge, which is essential for more sustainable community development (Nurherawati et al., 2024;Prasetyo et al., 2022;Yessi, 2024).
Psychologically, social assistance can provide a sense of security and reduce the pressure experienced by poor families.The certainty of assistance received regularly can reduce stress and anxiety related to meeting daily needs.This is important to build the confidence and motivation of the recipient community to get out of the poverty circle (Amalia et al., 2021).
However, despite the many benefits expected, the implementation of social assistance also faces various challenges.These challenges include uneven distribution, lack of transparency, and the possibility of misappropriation of funds.Therefore, this study also aims to identify obstacles in the implementation of social assistance programs in Bendaroto Village, as well as provide recommendations for future improvements (Tapung et al., 2020).By comprehensively understanding the impact of social assistance, this research is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the development of more effective and sustainable social policies.In addition, the results of this study are also expected to provide a clear picture of the condition of the community in Bendaroto Village, so that the government and related parties can formulate a more targeted strategy in improving community welfare.The main purpose of this study is to determine the impact of social assistance on the community in Bendoroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency.This study seeks to identify and analyze the positive and negative impacts of the social assistance programs that have been implemented in the village.

Materials and Methods
This study uses survey and interview methods to collect data on the impact of social assistance on the community in Bendaoroto Village.The survey method was carried out by distributing questionnaires to selected respondents to obtain quantitative data on the receipt, use, and impact of social assistance.Meanwhile, interviews were conducted to explore more in-depth qualitative information related to people's direct experiences of social assistance, including perceptions, benefits, and challenges faced.The combination of these two methods is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the effectiveness of social assistance and its impact on people's daily lives (Gumanti et al., 2018).
The population in this study is all residents of Bendoroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency, which amounts to around 3,242 people.To obtain a representative sample, the researchers used a simple random sampling technique, in which 100 respondents were randomly selected from the population.The selection of the sample was carried out with the aim of ensuring that every individual in the population has the same opportunity to be selected, so that the results of the study can describe the general condition of society and reduce bias in data analysis (Murdiyanto, 2020).
The main instruments used in this study are questionnaires and interviews.The questionnaire is designed to collect quantitative data on various aspects of social assistance, such as the frequency of receipt, the type of assistance received, and its impact on the economic and social conditions of the community.In addition, interviews were conducted to obtain more in-depth qualitative data, such as personal experiences, opinions, and public perceptions of social assistance.By using these two instruments, researchers can obtain comprehensive and valid data to analyze the impact of social assistance in Bendoroto Village as a whole (Sugiyono, 2019).

Result
The following is a table of the results of a research survey on the impact of social assistance on the community in Bentoroto Village.This table presents data on the type of assistance received, the impact on the economy, and changes in social conditions reported by respondents.The results of the study show that the social assistance received by the community in Bendoroto Village varies greatly.Most of the respondents, namely 85%, received direct cash assistance (BLT), while 75% received food assistance.Housing assistance was received by 20% of respondents, indicating that social assistance in the form of housing is less evenly distributed compared to cash and food assistance.This data shows that BLT and food assistance are the most commonly received types of assistance, which may be related to more urgent basic needs for most families in the village.
The economic impact of social assistance is also significant.About 60% of respondents reported an increase in their purchasing power after receiving social assistance, indicating that the assistance plays an important role in improving household economic capabilities.In addition, 45% of respondents noted an increase in food consumption, which indicates that social assistance has helped them in meeting their daily nutritional needs.However, only 20% of respondents felt an improvement in home conditions, indicating that housing assistance had a smaller impact compared to cash and food assistance.
In terms of social impact, the results of the study showed that 70% of respondents felt that social assistance had reduced their financial burden.This reflects that social assistance is very effective in alleviating the financial pressure faced by the community.In addition, 50% of respondents reported an increase in motivation to engage in productive activities, such as gardening or trading.This social impact shows that social assistance not only helps directly but can also motivate people to be more active and productive in their economic activities.
However, the study also identified some significant problems in the implementation of social assistance.As many as 55% of respondents complained about uneven distribution of aid, which may be caused by administrative problems or injustice in the distribution of aid.Delays in aid delivery are also a major problem, with 60% of respondents reporting that aid often arrives late.This delay can reduce the effectiveness of social assistance in meeting the urgent needs of the community.
In addition, 45% of respondents complained about a lack of information on how to use social assistance effectively.This lack of information can hinder the optimal use of assistance and affect the expected outcomes of social assistance programs.To increase the effectiveness of social assistance, there needs to be improvements in the distribution mechanism and better counseling to the community on how to make the most of the assistance.By improving these problems, it is anticipated e-ISSN: 2723-6692  p-ISSN: 2723-6595 that social assistance can have a greater and more equitable impact on the community in Bendoroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency.

Interview Results
The results of in-depth interviews with respondents in Bendoroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency provide a deeper insight into the impact of social assistance on people's lives.Based on the interviews, most respondents reported that social assistance, especially direct cash assistance (BLT) and food assistance, has made a significant contribution to improving their economic conditions.Many stated that the assistance was very helpful in meeting their basic needs, such as food and daily expenses.This is in line with quantitative data showing an increase in purchasing power and food consumption, which indicates that social assistance has been effective in improving economic welfare directly.
In addition, interviews revealed that social assistance has had a positive impact in terms of people's motivation to be involved in productive activities.Most respondents reported that they felt more motivated to participate in additional economic activities, such as gardening or trading, as a result of the assistance received.This increase in motivation shows that social assistance not only functions as financial support, but also as a stimulus for the development of productive activities that can increase family income.This is an important finding that shows that social assistance can have a dual impact: it directly improves economic conditions and indirectly boosts productive activity.
However, the interviews also revealed some unidentified issues in the survey data.One of the main problems revealed by respondents is the uneven distribution of social assistance.Many feel that the process of distributing aid is unfair and often does not suit their needs.This indicates that there are possible inefficiencies in the social assistance distribution system that need to be corrected to ensure that aid reaches those who really need it.
Delays in the distribution of aid are also a significant problem.Many respondents complained that help often came late, leading to inconvenience and uncertainty in their financial planning.This delay can reduce the effectiveness of social assistance in meeting urgent needs, thereby slowing down the expected positive impact of the assistance.This problem points to the need for improvements in the mechanism of distributing and managing social assistance to ensure that assistance is received on time.
Finally, the results of the interviews also highlight the lack of information on how to use social assistance effectively.Many respondents felt that they were not getting enough information about how best to use the aid received, which hindered the optimal use of the aid.This lack of information shows that counseling and guidance to aid recipients need to be improved, so that they can use social assistance more effectively and get the maximum benefits from the program.By improving communication and information related to social assistance, it is hoped that there will be an increase in the results achieved and community satisfaction with social assistance programs.

Discussion
The results of the survey and interviews in this study provide in-depth insights into the impact of social assistance in Bendaroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency.This research e-ISSN: 2723-6692  p-ISSN: 2723-6595 identifies various aspects of social assistance, ranging from the type of assistance received, its impact on the economy and society, to the problems faced during the implementation of the program.The following discussion will integrate findings from surveys and interviews to provide a more holistic understanding of the effectiveness and challenges of social assistance in the village.

Economic Impact of Social Assistance
The survey results show that social assistance, especially direct cash assistance (BLT) and food assistance, has a significant economic impact on the community.A total of 85% of respondents received BLT, while 75% received food assistance, indicating that these two types of assistance are very important in meeting their basic needs.This data is reinforced by the results of interviews that state that cash and food assistance helps people in meeting their daily needs and increasing their purchasing power.About 60% of respondents reported an increase in purchasing power, which indicates that social assistance is effective in improving household economic capabilities.
In addition, 45% of respondents experienced an increase in food consumption after receiving assistance, which reflects the contribution of social assistance to improving nutrition and public health.However, the impact of housing assistance, which was received by only 20% of respondents, appears to be more limited.This can be due to the priority and limited resources in social assistance programs, which focus more on cash and food assistance which are considered more urgent.Indepth interviews confirmed that although there was an improvement in food consumption and purchasing power, the impact of social assistance in improving housing conditions was less felt.This shows the need for more attention to housing assistance to ensure that all aspects of the community's basic needs can be met equally.

Social Impact of Social Assistance
From a social perspective, social assistance has made a positive contribution in reducing financial burdens and increasing productive motivation.The survey showed that 70% of respondents felt that social assistance had reduced their financial burden, which is especially relevant given the level of economic hardship experienced by many families in the village.The results of the interviews revealed that many respondents felt that social assistance provided significant relief in managing daily expenses, allowing them to focus on other activities, including work or education.
In addition, 50% of respondents reported an increase in motivation to engage in productive activities.In-depth interviews show that social assistance has served as a stimulus for many people to develop small businesses, such as trading or gardening, which in turn contributes to the development of the local economy.This indicates that social assistance not only serves as financial support, but also encourages people to be more active and productive.This increased motivation is essential for creating long-term economic independence, which will have a sustainable positive impact on the community.

Problems in the Implementation of Social Assistance
Despite the positive impacts, the study also identified some significant problems in the implementation of social assistance.The survey showed that 55% of respondents felt that the e-ISSN: 2723-6692  p-ISSN: 2723-6595 distribution of aid was uneven, and 60% reported delays in distributing aid.This problem reflects inefficiencies in the social assistance distribution system that can hinder the benefits received by the community.The in-depth interview added that uneven distribution and delays often cause uncertainty and inconvenience for aid recipients.They expressed frustration that help was not always received at the time of need, which affected their financial planning and reduced the effectiveness of the aid.
The lack of information on how to use social assistance is also an important issue.About 45% of respondents felt they were not getting enough information on how to use help effectively.In-depth interviews revealed that many beneficiaries felt they were not given enough guidance on how best to utilize the assistance.This lack of information can hinder recipients from using assistance optimally, ultimately reducing the benefits that can be obtained from social assistance programs.This shows the need for improvement in communication and counseling related to social assistance programs.

Implications and Recommendations
Based on the results of this study, there are several implications and recommendations that can be considered to increase the effectiveness of social assistance in Bendaroto Village.First, it is important to improve the social assistance distribution system to ensure that assistance is received evenly and on time by all recipients in need.Reforms in the distribution and management mechanisms of social assistance can reduce the problems of inequality and delays faced by the community.
Second, greater efforts need to be made in providing clear and useful information to aid recipients on how to use social assistance effectively.Counseling and education programs should be strengthened to ensure that beneficiaries understand how to use the assistance to maximize the benefits obtained.This can include training on financial management, food consumption planning, and improving housing conditions.
Third, special attention must be paid to housing assistance to ensure that this aspect also receives sufficient attention, considering that only 20% of respondents feel improvement from housing assistance.A more integrated and comprehensive approach can help cover all aspects of the basic needs of the community, including housing.
By addressing these problems and implementing appropriate recommendations, it is hoped that social assistance can be more effective in improving the welfare of the community in Bendoroto Village and have a greater positive impact in the long term.This research provides important insights for the improvement of social assistance programs and can be the basis for better policies and strategies in supporting communities in need.

Conclusion
This study shows that social assistance in Bendaroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency, has a significant positive impact on the economic welfare of the community.The majority of respondents reported an increase in purchasing power and food consumption as a result of direct cash assistance (BLT) and food assistance.In addition, social assistance also plays a role in reducing e-ISSN: 2723-6692  p-ISSN: 2723-6595 the financial burden and increasing motivation to engage in productive activities, which contributes to improving the overall quality of life of the community.
However, there are several challenges identified in this study, including uneven distribution of aid, delays in distribution, and lack of information on aid utilization.These problems hinder the effectiveness of social assistance and can reduce the benefits received by the community.Delays in distribution and uneven distribution highlight the need for improvements in social assistance distribution and management systems so that aid can reach those who really need it in a timely manner.
Therefore, to increase the positive impact of social assistance, improvements are needed in the distribution and counseling mechanism to the community.Increased transparency in the distribution process and the provision of clear and precise information on the use of aid will help address existing problems.With these improvements, social assistance can be more effective in meeting the needs of the community and make a greater contribution to improving welfare and economic empowerment in Bendoroto Village, Munjungan District, Trenggalek Regency.