Quynh Hung: Breakthrough in cashless payment of social security policies

Ms. Vu Thi Gai (left) finds it very convenient to receive monthly allowance via ATM card.

Changing people's habits from receiving monthly allowances in cash to non-cash payments is not an easy task because the beneficiaries of the social security regime are mostly the elderly and the disabled, who are quite unfamiliar with receiving allowances in modern ways; not to mention that people are too familiar with receiving allowances in cash, so they are reluctant to change. However, when there was a policy to implement non-cash social security policy payments, Quynh Hung commune took action with great determination to soon achieve the set target. Mr. Tran Viet Hien, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, said: We have stepped up propaganda work so that people understand that this is an inevitable trend in payment and payment of allowances. At Party Committee meetings, we issued leadership resolutions and assigned specific tasks to Party Committee members, organizations, and unions to actively participate, be present at payment points to explain to people about the policy as well as the convenience of receiving money through accounts. For people with disabilities and difficulty in moving, we have people go to their homes to verify procedures and open accounts for people. That is why, right from the first days of implementation, Quynh Hung commune has achieved a high rate of people registering to receive monthly subsidies through ATM cards.

Ms. Vu Thi Gai, Tai Gia village, is 82 years old this year. She is currently receiving monthly allowances from relatives of martyrs. When the commune officials promoted the switch to receiving money through bank accounts, she was reluctant to change because of her old age and her inability to use modern electronic devices. But when she understood the benefits of not receiving cash, Ms. Gai registered to open an account. She shared: Before, no matter how busy I was, on the 7th of every month, I had to arrange my work to go to the commune People's Committee to receive cash. Sometimes I had to wait for a long time and it was very tiring. Since switching to receiving allowances through bank accounts, I have found it much more convenient. When the month comes, the money is automatically transferred to my account. If I haven't used it yet, I just leave it there, it's very safe.

In the case of Ms. Vu Thi Thoa, from Tai Gia village, she is severely disabled and cannot move around on her own. Previously, when receiving cash benefits, she had to authorize a relative to receive them on her behalf. Since registering to receive monthly benefits via ATM card, Ms. Thoa has registered to integrate them into her relative's bank account, so now every time it is paid, her benefits are automatically transferred to her relative's account, reducing the need to travel and waste time as before. Ms. Thoa said: I am severely disabled and cannot move around. I am currently receiving a monthly benefit of 1 million VND. Before, I did not register to receive money via account, so every time it is paid, I had to ask someone to receive it on my behalf, which was very inconvenient. Since receiving monthly benefits via ATM card, I find it very convenient.

Ms. Lam Thi Nhinh, a civil servant of labor, war invalids and social affairs in Quynh Hung commune, shared: When it was first implemented, people were also confused, but after a period of receiving money through accounts, people got used to the new form of payment. People who have not registered to open an account see the convenience and benefits when looking at those who opened an account before, so everyone is happy and supports this type of payment. Up to this point, Quynh Hung commune has 611 people receiving monthly allowances by bank transfer, reaching a rate of 100%.

Ms. Pham Thi Thuy Mui, Deputy Head of the Department of Internal Affairs of Quynh Phu district, said: Thanks to good propaganda and the strong participation of the entire political system, the implementation of social security policy payments in Quynh Hung commune has achieved good results. Although initially confused, people all agreed and agreed with the State's policy. Quynh Hung commune is a typical locality, leading the whole district in paying non-cash social security benefits.

Implementing non-cash payments in social security policy payments will contribute to building e-government, improving access to modern payment services in the economy . At the same time, it helps simplify administrative procedures, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the right, sufficient and timely regime. With that inevitable trend, localities in Quynh Phu district are continuing to accelerate the implementation of opening accounts for people, striving for the rate of social security payments in all communes to reach 100%.