To ease the financial strain many households face, the government has introduced a support measure called the wallet card. This initiative aims to provide direct financial help to the most vulnerable groups, enabling them to cover essentials such as food, clothing, and basic services.
The wallet card is a government-backed aid program designed to assist families and individuals in precarious situations. It functions as a preloaded debit card that beneficiaries can use to purchase essential goods and services.
Compared with traditional aid, the wallet card offers greater flexibility and autonomy, allowing recipients to decide how to spend the funds according to their own needs.
Who can benefit from the wallet card?
Eligibility for the wallet card is clearly defined to ensure support reaches those most in need. Eligible individuals must reside at home, have household income below 40% of the national average, and be responsible for dependents.
Beneficiary selection involves social services from autonomous communities and municipalities. The program’s beneficiary screening begins in April and, while initially managed on an interim basis by the Red Cross, the ministry explains that responsibility for the program, approved by all autonomous governments in 2021, will transition to the General Administration of the State through the Ministry of Social Rights from April 2025. It will then be implemented directly by the autonomous communities, with funding drawn from the state portion of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
Where can it be used?
The wallet card can be used across a range of participating organizations and stores, enabling families to purchase a broad spectrum of essential products and services that support daily living.
The ministry estimates that the program will assist roughly 70,000 families nationwide, including many with highly vulnerable or dependent children.
Wallet card amounts
The monthly allowance provided by the wallet card varies by program and by the specific needs of each household. Benefits are calculated based on household size, income level, and other vulnerability indicators. Cards are topped up on a monthly, biweekly, or quarterly basis, depending on the autonomous community that administers the program.
The distribution framework follows these approximate scales:
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Families with one adult and one child receive about 130 euros per month.
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Households with one adult and two minors or two adults and one minor receive around 160 euros.
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Families of four members are allocated about 190 euros monthly.
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Households with five or more members may receive up to 220 euros per month.
The wallet card program does not replace other poverty-alleviation measures or funding streams. It is not intended to cover every need of affected families, but it represents a meaningful step toward more dignified and effective assistance. [Source: Government publications and official briefings. Attribution: Government communications office.]
Overall, the wallet card stands as a key government initiative to support economically vulnerable households. By providing a flexible, direct method to acquire essential goods and services, it helps improve living standards and reinforces the government’s commitment to the well-being and autonomy of its citizens.