Reader P.T.T.T has just sent a question to the Ministry of Health about determining the time to receive social pension benefits.
According to Ms. P.T.T.T's reflection, Article 4 of Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP stipulates: "The time to enjoy the monthly social pension allowance regime is calculated from the month the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee signs the decision".
Meanwhile, Article 8 of Decree No. 20/2021/ND-CP stipulates the time to enjoy social allowances for the elderly from the time that person is 75 years old or 80 years old according to each specific case.
I would like to ask, so is there a difference between the two regulations mentioned above regarding the time of starting to receive allowances: is it calculated from the time the elderly are old enough according to regulations or calculated from the month the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee signs the allowance decision? Please provide specific guidance from functional agencies to ensure the rights of policy beneficiaries" - Ms. T asked.
Regarding this issue, the Social Protection Department, Ministry of Health, answers as follows:
Point b, Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP dated June 30, 2025 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance on social pension allowances stipulates:
Within 10 working days from the date of receiving the document requesting social pension benefits, the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee shall consider, verify and standardize the relevant information of the requester of social pension benefits with the national population database, decide and implement the payment of social pension benefits to the requester in accordance with legal regulations. The time to enjoy the monthly social pension regime is calculated from the month the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee signs the decision".
Therefore, people who have documents requesting social pension benefits are entitled from the month the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee signs the decision.
