Direct cash transfers (BLT) had been implemented in previous administrations to aid the poor in times of need. In 2008, after skyrocketing global oil prices caused a significant hike in fuel prices, the government earmarked 41.1 trillion rupiah ($2.78 billion) for distribution to the poor, during which 19.1 million families received monthly cash assistance payments of 100,000 rupiah plus cooking oil and sugar handouts from June 2008 to February 2009.