How much does the elderly allowance in Vietnam increase when the standard social assistance level rises?
Who is considered an elderly person in Vietnam?
According to Article 2 of the Law on the Elderly 2009:
Elderly Person
Elderly persons as stipulated in this Law are Vietnamese citizens who are full 60 years old and above.
Thus, an elderly person is defined as a citizen who is full 60 years old and above.
How much does the elderly allowance in Vietnam increase when the standard social assistance level rises? (Image from the Internet)
When is the elderly eligible for monthly allowances in Vietnam?
Based on Clause 5, Article 5 of Decree 20/2021/ND-CP regarding social protection beneficiaries receiving monthly social allowances:
Social Protection Beneficiaries Receiving Monthly Allowances
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5. Elderly persons in the following cases:
a) Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, or have someone legally obligated and entitled to support them but that person is receiving monthly social allowance;
b) Elderly persons aged from 75 to 80 from poor or near-poor households who are not in the case described at point a of this clause living in particularly difficult minority and mountainous areas;
c) Elderly persons aged 80 and above who are not in the case described at point a of this clause and who do not have a pension, monthly social insurance allowance, or monthly social allowance;
d) Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, who cannot live in the community, and who are eligible for admission to a social assistance facility but have someone willing to provide care in the community.
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Thus, elderly persons who are Vietnamese citizens 60 years old and above can receive monthly social allowances under the following circumstances:
Case 1: Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated and entitled to support them, or have someone legally obligated and entitled to support them but that person is receiving monthly social allowance;
Case 2: Elderly persons aged from 75 to 80 from poor or near-poor households who are not in Situation 1 living in particularly difficult minority and mountainous areas;
Case 3: Elderly persons aged 80 and above who are not in Situation 1 and who do not have a pension, monthly social insurance allowance, or monthly social allowance;
Case 4: Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated and entitled to support them, who cannot live in the community, and who are eligible for admission to a social assistance facility but have someone willing to provide care in the community.
How much does the elderly allowance in Vietnam increase when the standard social assistance level rises?
According to Article 4 of Decree 20/2021/ND-CP (amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree 76/2024/ND-CP), the standard social assistance is stipulated as follows:
Standard for Social Assistance
- The social assistance standard is the basis for determining social allowance levels, funding levels for care and nurturing, nurturing allowances in social assistance facilities, and other social assistance levels.
2. The social assistance standard applied from July 1, 2024, is 500,000 VND/month.
Based on budget availability, inflation rate, and living standards of social protection beneficiaries, the competent authorities will consider adjusting the social assistance standard accordingly; ensuring parity in policies for other beneficiaries.
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Additionally, Article 5 of Decree 20/2021/ND-CP specifies social protection beneficiaries receiving monthly social allowances as follows:
Social Protection Beneficiaries Receiving Monthly Allowances
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5. Elderly persons in the following cases:
a) Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, or have someone legally obligated and entitled to support them but that person is receiving monthly social allowance;
b) Elderly persons aged from 75 to 80 from poor or near-poor households who are not in the case described at point a of this clause living in particularly difficult minority and mountainous areas;
c) Elderly persons aged 80 and above who are not in the case described at point a of this clause and who do not have a pension, monthly social insurance allowance, or monthly social allowance;
d) Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, who cannot live in the community, and who are eligible for admission to a social assistance facility but have someone willing to provide care in the community.
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Moreover, Article 6 of Decree 20/2021/ND-CP specifies the monthly social allowance levels as follows:
Monthly Social Allowance Levels
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dd) For the categories described in Clause 5 of Article 5 of this Decree:
- Coefficient 1.5 for categories described at point a, Clause 5 for ages from 60 to 80;
- Coefficient 2.0 for categories described at point a, Clause 5 for ages from 80 and above;
- Coefficient 1.0 for categories described at points b and c, Clause 5;
- Coefficient 3.0 for categories described at point d, Clause 5.
Thus, the eldercare allowance from July 1, 2024, will increase based on the table below:
| No. | Category | Coefficient | Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, or have someone legally obligated and entitled to support them but that person is receiving monthly social allowance from 60 to 80 years old | Coefficient 1.5 | 750,000 VND |
| 2 | Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, or have someone legally obligated and entitled to support them but that person is receiving monthly social allowance from 80 years old and above | Coefficient 2.0 | 1,000,000 VND |
| 3 | - Elderly persons aged from 75 to 80 from poor or near-poor households who are not in the case described at point a, Clause 5, Article 5 of Decree 20/2021/ND-CP living in particularly difficult minority and mountainous areas; - Elderly persons aged 80 and above who are not in the case described at point a, Clause 5, Article 5 of Decree 20/2021/ND-CP and who do not have a pension, monthly social insurance allowance, or monthly social allowance; |
Coefficient 1.0 | 500,000 VND |
| 4 | Elderly persons from poor households, who have no one legally obligated or entitled to support them, who cannot live in the community, and who are eligible for admission to a social assistance facility but have someone willing to provide care in the community. | Coefficient 3.0 | 1,500,000 VND |
