Decree No. 335/2026/ND-CP raises the new social assistance standard to 540,000 VND/month (according to the old regulation of 500,000 VND/month), and also amends regulations on funeral expenses when social pension beneficiaries pass away.
This Decree has increased the level of funeral expense support for social pension beneficiaries from a minimum of 10 million VND to 10.8 million VND; and at the same time adjusted the basis for calculating the support level and created more convenience in submitting applications.
Accordingly, when a person is receiving a social pension, or a person has a written request to receive a social pension, is eligible to receive it but the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee has not issued a decision to receive a social pension when they die, they will be supported with funeral expenses.
This support cost is at least 20 times the social pension allowance level, which is 20 x 540,000 = 10,800,000 VND.
To receive funeral support costs, organizations and individuals who take care of their funerals must have a declaration requesting funeral support costs (according to form No. 03) sent online at the National Public Service Portal, or through postal services or directly at any One-Stop Shop.
Within 3 working days from the date of receipt of the Declaration, the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee shall consider and decide to support funeral expenses and organize the implementation of support funds according to regulations.
Increasing the level of support contributes to sharing more costs with families when the elderly pass away. In particular, the regulation still protects both cases where people who have submitted applications and are eligible for benefits but die before the commune-level People's Committee issues a decision. This helps avoid delays in administrative procedures that cause loss of legitimate rights of people.
Allowing payment at any one-stop shop is also more convenient for funeral caregivers, as they may not reside in the same locality as the deceased.
