Social safety net programmes (SSNPs) are central to Bangladesh’s efforts to protect vulnerable populations from poverty and social exclusion, yet the effectiveness of these programmes depends heavily on how they are implemented at the local level. This study, employing a process documentation research approach, examines the beneficiary selection process for the Old Age Allowance (OAA) and Disability Allowance (DA) at the Union Parishad level, focusing on Kumira Union in Tala Upazila, Satkhira District. Drawing on eighteen case study interviews and seven key informant interviews with applicants, beneficiaries, and local administrative stakeholders, the research traces the full trajectory of becoming a beneficiary, from initial awareness through application, verification, selection, and fund disbursement. The findings reveal that although formal eligibility criteria and administrative procedures exist, beneficiary selection is substantially shaped by informal social dynamics, including kinship networks, political affiliation, religious identity, gender, and geographical proximity to local representatives. Many applicants, particularly the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities, depend on intermediaries to navigate documentation, digital application systems, and fund withdrawal, reinforcing a perception of the allowance as an act of benevolence rather than a citizen entitlement. The study argues that this gap between formal policy design and everyday practice undermines transparency and equitable access, and it calls for greater clarity in eligibility communication, reduced reliance on intermediaries, and stronger monitoring at the union level to strengthen the inclusiveness of social protection delivery in Bangladesh.
Authors: Al-Mamun, Md.; Nuruzzaman, M.M.; and Hossain, Faruq
Type: Report
Publisher: BIGD
Year: 2026
