Secretaria-Geral do Ministério do Trabalho, Solidariedade e Segurança Social

The Social Security Institute today launched a preliminary public consultation to allocate food support to families in need through electronic cards, to follow up on the government's measure to simplify access to this support. E-vouchers allow access to a range of products by charging a value on a regular basis. Recipients will be able to use these cards in any network of establishments joining the project, with the use of the card limited to the purchase of goods eligible under the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAC).

The procedure launched today will serve to contract services for the issuance, management, uploading and financial reporting of e-cards. These vouchers may take the form of an electronic card (bank card type) or a code that allows the trader to be refunded later. The cards will be reloaded at least monthly, with a certain financial amount transferred by the Social Security Institute. The use of the e-card will only be used for the purchase of food eligible under the FEAD, and the purchase of goods such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco is prohibited. The aim is for these e-cards to work in the network of food retailers, ensuring a geographical coverage of services in all municipalities of mainland Portugal and the connection to their operating systems. The Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, underlines that "this is a giant step for Portugal to be at the forefront in adopting innovative, more efficient and personalised solutions, ensuring food support for the most deprived people. This reduces the stigmatisation often associated with needy families, who thus acquire their goods on an equal basis with other families, and promotes autonomy, allowing each family to manage its budget.

FEAC is implemented in Portugal by the Operational Programme for Support to the Most Deprived (POAPMC). It is a food support mechanism and other basic consumer goods, which is 85% co-financed by the European Fund for Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAC). This support, which was doubled in 2020, has reached more than 120,000 people per month in Portugal. The ISS, I.P. launched the preliminary consultation that takes place within 20 consecutive days to respond to the consultation. A public clarification session will also be held on August 25 at 10 a.m., through the Teams platform. For this purpose, interested parties must send by the 23rd of this month a registration e-mail to the e-mail address: ISS-DAP-Concursos@segsocial.pt.

Source: Government Portal