SHENZHEN plans to issue the administrative measures on the payment of old age allowance, in a bid to improve the old age allowance system and facilitate the payment and management of senior citizens’ allowance, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

Relying on an electronic ID card and a smart elderly care management platform, the city’s civil affairs bureau will adjust the procedures related to the application, payment, change, termination and approval of old age allowance, supervision and management methods, and the payment date.

The measures have been publicized to solicit public opinion and the work is now nearing the end, according to the bureau.

The introduction of the measures will also facilitate the building of a comprehensive database on funerals, household registrations, banking and other fields.

According to the measures, senior citizens eligible for the old age allowance will be automatically screened out based on data comparison and will receive an official text message.

If the senior citizens reply to the message with acceptance, they are deemed to have applied for the old age allowance, which will be transferred to the bank account held by the applicants after examination and approval.

For the elderly who cannot conduct online qualification certification due to special reasons, they can go to the community work station for verification or make an appointment with community staff for verification at home.

For the payment date, the measures clearly stipulate that the allowance shall be paid before the 20th day of each month, and the payment can be extended in case of holidays and festivals.

(Zhang Yu)