Social benefits payment through bank accounts, the elderly face difficulties

Many elderly people in Dong Quang commune (Gia Loc) still want to receive direct subsidies because they are not used to using cards and have difficulty paying or withdrawing money.

Hai Duong has implemented payment of subsidies via bank accounts for social security beneficiaries since April this year. This approach is in line with the digital transformation trend, but in reality, many localities are facing many difficulties and need flexibility in implementation.

Few people use cards

It was early in the morning but the pension and social allowance payment point at Dong Quang Commune Post Office (Gia Loc) was already crowded with people waiting in line to receive their money. Waiting was tiring, but when asked why she did not receive it through a bank account, Ms. Nguyen Thi H. in Don Thu village said that receiving money through a bank account is more suitable for young people. Older people rarely use smartphones. If they do use them, they are clumsy and do not know how to check the balance in their accounts. "Because I am not used to using a bank card, the withdrawal point is too far from home, and I depend on the support of relatives, recently an old man in my neighborhood had all the money in his account withdrawn by his playful nephew," Ms. H. said.

In fact, the cash withdrawal points of banks in the province are not yet widely available, mainly in the city center, towns, and townships. Most of the people who are receiving social security policies of the province are elderly, weak, and disabled people living in rural areas, so it is not easy to travel a long distance to withdraw their benefits. Mr. Nguyen Van Lan, a war invalid in Thanh Giang commune (Thanh Mien) expressed: "I support the policy of paying benefits through bank accounts, but there needs to be a specific roadmap and synchronous payment methods. When I go to the market to buy vegetables or fish, I still have to use cash, they do not accept card payments."

Paying subsidies via bank cards is quick, accurate, and saves time for beneficiaries. This is a form that is consistent with the policy of limiting cash transactions, bringing many benefits to users. The paying agency reduces the operating costs of the direct salary payment team, contributing to preventing waste and improving transparency in policy implementation. However, the above difficulties and obstacles have hindered the plan for cashless payments for social security beneficiaries in the province. Even in Hai Duong City, the number of cash withdrawal points and non-cash payment facilities is much higher than in other localities, but the number of people registering to receive subsidies via bank cards is also very small, only more than 100 people out of a total of more than 10,000 people receiving monthly subsidies.

Classify to have a roadmap

Chi Linh City is quite thorough and active in implementing subsidy payments through bank accounts. Up to now, Chi Linh has had 14 out of 19 communes and wards paying subsidies to meritorious people through bank accounts.

Mr. Nguyen Van Khuyen, a cultural and social officer of Van An ward, shared his experience: "Thanks to early implementation, regular mobilization through the radio system, and cadres of organizations going to each house to explain to people to understand and grasp the policy and benefits of receiving subsidies through accounts, many people have supported it." Although it was convenient to mobilize people to make cards and register to receive subsidies through bank accounts, Mr. Khuyen still hopes that the province will have a roadmap and pay attention to synchronous investment in non-cash payment methods. "When you have mobilized people to make cards but they are not convenient to use, it is very wasteful," Mr. Khuyen said.

When the infrastructure for non-cash payment activities is not yet synchronized in localities, there needs to be a roadmap for paying social benefits through appropriate accounts (illustrative photo)

In the current context, the infrastructure for non-cash payment activities is not yet synchronized in localities, especially in rural areas, so it is necessary to consider the implementation roadmap. It is possible to pilot in some localities with many favorable factors. In addition, it is also necessary to take into account the factors of age, ability to travel and use bank card utilities to consider payment for each appropriate subject. "For example, people who are too old, people with severe disabilities who have difficulty traveling and using cards or do not have an authorized person to receive subsidies can pay in the old form. As for those who are capable, we should encourage and mobilize them to receive money via bank cards," Mr. Pham Phu Cach, a cultural and social officer of Co Bi commune (Binh Giang) proposed.

BAO ANH