Opportunities and Challenges in the Application Process for the Child Support Grant Scheme in Thailand

Abstract

               This research aimed to 1) study the process of applying for the child support grant scheme. 2) analyze the opportunities and challenges in the application process. This was qualitative research that primarily analyzed relevant documents. The study found that the child support grant scheme aimed to support quality and equal growth within society, especially for children from poor households. There were seven steps in the application process. The first step was to register for the scheme at the local administrative organization or through the Ngoen Dek application. The second step was to find a person authorized by the scheme to certify the household's low-income status. Both steps directly involved citizens. Then, the local administrative organization was responsible for data verification, the announcement of the list of applicants, and eligibility screening. This was followed by data recording into the scheme’s database and verification of rights for approval. This was the responsibility of the provincial social development and human security office. The comptroller general's department was responsible for the disbursement of the allowance. The last step was the process for changes and termination of rights, which followed the same procedures mentioned above. The study identified the following opportunities related to the application process: Allowing parents who want to register to do so at the local administrative organization in the area where they live. There were various types of people who could certify household status. And the readiness for decentralization of scheme tasks to local administrative organizations. However, some opportunities turned into challenges in the application process, such as the complexity of the eligibility criteria leading to misunderstandings among applicants. Relevant policy implementers also lacked sufficient understanding of the details of the scheme implementation. Therefore, the researcher suggested enhancing public relations for the scheme, revising the application process, adding channels for receiving the allowance, and broadening the scheme as a welfare for all children.