Under Government Decree 335/2026, which takes effect on October 5, the standard monthly social assistance rate rises to VND 540,000 from VND 500,000.
The new rate applies to Vietnamese citizens aged 75 and over who do not receive a pension or monthly social insurance benefits, as well as those whose existing pension or benefits are below VND 540,000.
People aged 70 to under 75 from poor or near-poor households who do not receive a pension or monthly benefits are also eligible for the VND 540,000 monthly payment from July 1.
The decree sets out procedures for claiming the social pension. Eligible people or their guardians can submit applications online through the National Public Service Portal, by post or in person at any one-stop public service centre.
Commune-level authorities must verify the applicant's information, assess eligibility and make a decision within seven working days of receiving the application.
Payments begin in the month the decision is signed. Applicants who are found ineligible must be notified in writing and given the reason.
For recipients who move, authorities at their former place of residence will stop payments and transfer their records to the new locality, where payments will continue at the applicable rate.
Payments will cease from the month following a recipient's death or when they no longer meet eligibility requirements.
