Illustration image, Source: Internet

At the same time, proactively coordinate with relevant agencies to develop appropriate payment plans and time periods for scattering and distributing payment activities in accordance with the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 prevention and control.

In collaboration with Vietnam Social Security and the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to promote IT applications, especially cashless payment solutions to minimize contact with large amount of people. Develop a plan to collect information and requests of the beneficiaries on home receipts to organize considerate and timely payment; carry out communication activities on home payment methods and how to update home addresses of receiving social security benefits to create favorable conditions for payment process. Once home payment is conducted, review the address of the beneficiaries to synthesize, evaluate and send recommendations to Vietnam Social Security and Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs on adjusting and updating information to better serve beneficiary management.

In addition, it is necessary to apply safeguard measures to postal workforce and beneficiaries in accordance with requirements, recommendations on the epidemic prevention and control and guidance of the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 prevention and control and the recommendations and guidance of the Ministry of Health when conducting payment, including: Wearing masks and gloves, keeping a 2-meter distance when communicating, measuring body temperature regularly, etc.

Previously, the Ministry of Information and Communications received Document No. 1261/BDVN-TCBC dated March 23, 2020 of Vietnam Post Corporation on payment of social security regimes to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control. Based on the guidance of Vietnam Social Security, the Corporation requests the Post Offices of provinces and cities to reorganize the payment of pensions and social insurance allowances during the period of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control (payment period due in April and May 2020).

Specifically, the Post Office will make the gross payment in April and May 2020. Regarding beneficiaries receiving pension and social insurance allowance via ATM, payment plans shall comply with current regulations. The post office transfers money in both April and May 2020 to beneficiaries after the social insurance agency remits the payment for both 2 months to the Post Office. For beneficiaries receiving cash, right after receiving the list and money from social insurance agencies, provincial and city post offices shall top up the payment cards for the beneficiaries; organize cash delivery at the given address to the beneficiaries or guide them to bring the Payment Card and personal documents to the Post Office to withdraw money according to the Post Office's notification schedule.

Post offices of provinces and cities shall organize the distribution of money at the beneficiary's address on the following principles: Only distribute money to beneficiaries who have the address of receiving money at the same locality of receiving monthly pension; hence, different addresses shall not be approved. The plan of conducting payment at the given address for the beneficiary is implemented according to the plan of the Post Office, based on the needs of the beneficiary and the resources at the unit. In case the beneficiary has special needs and is not able to receive money at the given schedule of the Post Office, he/she shall contact the Post Office for guidance on settlement (The post office may arrange another home payment schedule for the beneficiary or guide him/her to go to the Post Office at an appropriate time).

For beneficiaries in quarantine areas affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the units shall coordinate with the local authorities, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 prevention and control and the social insurance agencies to create a plan for safe and timely payment for beneficiaries after the expiry of the isolation period.

Regarding the payment time, Heads of the Post Office of localities shall make agreement with the social security agency to report to the provincial People's Committee to decide a suitable time in accordance with the actual situation of each locality, ensuring safety for beneficiaries in line with the Prime Minister's Directive during the peak phase of COVID-19 prevention and control, which is due to be completed before May 31, 2020. In addition, the Corporation also recommends payment time shall be between April 15 and May 31, 2020.