The Ministry of Health received a petition from voters in Quang Ngai regarding social allowances based on living costs.
Voters proposed to study and consider submitting to competent authorities to adjust the social allowance level for social protection beneficiaries in a direction suitable to the actual situation and the increase in the current living price index; ensuring to meet essential needs and stabilize life for vulnerable groups and people in difficult circumstances in the context of increasingly high prices of goods and services.
According to the Ministry of Health, from 2007 to now, the Government has adjusted the standard level of social assistance 5 times.
Specifically, the standard level increased from 120,000 VND/month according to Decree 67/2007/ND-CP to 180,000 VND in 2010; 270,000 VND in 2013; 360,000 VND in 2021 and 500,000 VND from 2024.
The actual allowance level for each group of subjects is calculated by multiplying the standard social assistance level by the corresponding coefficient.
The Ministry of Health said it has submitted to the Government a draft decree replacing Decree 20/2021/ND-CP and amending and supplementing Decree 176/2025/ND-CP. In the draft, the Ministry proposes to consider increasing the social assistance standard and social pension allowance from 500,000 VND to 540,000 VND/month, equivalent to an increase of 8%.
However, according to the Ministry of Health, the adjustment must also be based on the ability to balance the state budget, economic growth rate, consumer price index and social security requirements in each period.
The Ministry of Health acknowledged the recommendations of Quang Ngai voters and said that it will continue to study in the process of perfecting social assistance policies, and at the same time advise competent authorities to consider and decide.
