Under the 2024 Social Insurance Law, effective from July 1, 2025, older workers who have not accumulated enough years of contributions to qualify for a pension and have not reached the age for social retirement benefits will be eligible for a new monthly assistance program. This initiative allows them to receive monthly financial support based on their own contributions rather than opting for a one-time social insurance payout.

The specific procedures for accessing this benefit are outlined in Decision No. 2270/QD-BTC dated August 19, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Finance. The program is designed to streamline administrative processes related to social insurance (SI) for citizens.

The eligibility criteria for this assistance program include individuals who have reached retirement age but do not meet the minimum contribution period required for a pension. Additionally, these individuals must not yet be of the age to receive social retirement benefits as stipulated by law. Workers who wish to receive monthly assistance from their accumulated contributions rather than a lump-sum payout can apply.

To facilitate the application process, the required documentation has been simplified, which includes:

• A request form (Form No. 14-HSB): Workers must complete this form as prescribed by the social insurance agency.
• Social insurance book: Applicants are not required to submit a paper copy of their social insurance book if the agency has full electronic data on the system.
• If applicable, a notarized power of attorney must accompany the request form for those unable to apply in person.

The application process involves three steps:

1. Preparation and Submission: Workers must prepare the necessary documents and submit them to the social insurance agency through various methods: online via the public service portal, in person at the agency's one-stop shop, or by mail through the public postal service.
2. Review and Processing: The social insurance agency will accept valid applications and process them according to regulations.
3. Receiving Results: Workers will receive the results in the manner they registered (in-person, by mail, or electronically). The results will include a decision regarding the monthly assistance, a health insurance card valid during the assistance period, a summary of social insurance contributions, and the amount of monthly assistance.

The processing time for monthly assistance applications is a maximum of five working days from the date the social insurance agency receives a complete and valid application. There are no fees associated with this process, ensuring that citizens can access these benefits without financial barriers.

Workers can submit their applications and complete the necessary procedures at the provincial or local social insurance offices that are most convenient for their residence.