Social assistance via e-cards
Grounded in an in-depth family needs assessment, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF, has developed a targeted social support package.
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- English
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, in partnership with UNICEF and with financial support from the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, is launching a one-time social assistance program grounded in a comprehensive family needs assessment.
This initiative focuses on providing critical support to families with children, pregnant women, families with newborns, children with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Based on the most pressing needs identified, eligible families will receive three of the following six types of assistance cards via the "Idram" payment system:
New Year
Childcare
Clothing and shoes
Back to school
Healthcare
Home essentials
The project is implemented in collaboration with the Unified Social Service, the Armenian Progressive Youth NGO, the Association of Social Workers of Armenia, through the Idram payment system.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q&As
The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia jointly with UNICEF through the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office and in cooperation with the Unified Social Service, the Armenian Progressive Youth NGO, Armenian Association of Social Workers and the Idram payment system.
The objective of the programme is to provide social assistance to the displaced and local vulnerable families amid winter, which implies the provision of cash assistance through e-cards of Idram payment system.
Our hotline provides information only within the framework of this specific assistance project. To get information about other programs, please contact the Unified Social Service Center in your community, where other state and community support measures will be presented, or call hotline 114.
At this stage, the programme intends a one-time support. Each beneficiary family will get the support only once. In case additional resources are made available, the programme may be extended.
The funds received within the framework of the programme cannot be used as a scholarship or to pay for educational services or training. However, you can take care of your child’s educational needs through “Back to School” e-card, for example, to buy stationery, backpack, books, etc.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES, BECOMING A BENEFICIARY
Q&As
Beneficiary households were included in the programme as a result of a multi-sector needs assessment and subsequent vulnerability indexation conducted by the Territorial Centers of the Unified Social Service.
The assistance focuses on the following main groups:
- families with children;
- pregnant women;
- families with newborns;
- children with disabilities;
- families of up to three persons, with at least one child;
- single-parent households;
- children out of school due to socio-economic issues;
- families who suffered from explosions and have children;
- people excluded from (failed to submit an application) state social assistance programs for displaced persons;
- people in need of urgent support.
If you think you are also eligible for the programme, please visit the Unified Social Service Center in your community. You can also contact us by calling 095 889 388 and providing information about you and your family, so that we make a note of your registration and forward it to the Unified Social Service for review.
Yes, people displaced from NK both in 2020 and in 2023, are eligible to become a programme beneficiary. Eligible families have been included in the programme as a result of a multi-sector needs assessment and subsequent vulnerability indexation conducted by the Territorial Centers of the Unified Social Service.
The assistance focuses on the following main groups:
- families with children;
- pregnant women;
- families with newborns;
- children with disabilities;
- families of up to three persons, with at least one child;
- single-parent households;
- children out of school due to socio-economic issues;
- families who suffered from explosions and have children;
- people excluded from (failed to submit an application) state social assistance programs for displaced persons;
- people in need of urgent support.
If you think you are also eligible for the programme, please visit the United Social Service Center of your community. You can also contact us by calling 095 889 388 and providing information about you and your family, so that we make a note of your registration and forward it to the Unified Social Service for review.
No, local vulnerable families are also eligible to participate in the programme. Eligible families have been included in the programme as a result of a multi-sector needs assessment and subsequent vulnerability indexation conducted by the Territorial Centers of the Unified Social Service.
The assistance focuses on the following main groups:
- families with children;
- pregnant women;
- families with newborns;
- children with disabilities;
- families of up to three persons, with at least one child;
- single-parent households;
- children out of school due to socio-economic issues;
- families who suffered from explosions and have children;
- people excluded from (failed to submit an application) state social assistance programs for displaced persons;
- people in need of urgent support.
If you think you are also eligible for the programme, please visit the United Social Service Center of your community. You can also contact us by calling 095 889 388 and providing information about you and your family, so that we make a note of your registration and forward it to the Unified Social Service for review.
Please apply to the Unified Social Service Center (USSC) in your community for further consideration of your family eligibility. The assistance focuses on the following main groups:
- families with children;
- pregnant women;
- families with newborns;
- children with disabilities;
- families of up to three persons, with at least one child;
- single-parent households;
- children out of school due to socio-economic issues;
- families who suffered from explosions and have children;
- people excluded from (failed to submit an application) state social assistance programs for displaced persons;
- people in need of urgent support.
In addition, the overall vulnerability of the household is assessed on the basis of pre-defined criteria, such as family composition, availability of various groups, urgency of needs, income etc. This indexation is conducted on the basis of objective criteria and is automated.
Families qualified as beneficiaries will receive a maximum of 150.000 AMD for making non-cash purchases, which will allow them to meet 3 most urgent needs prioritized as a result of need assessment.
The size of cash assistance is primarily determined by needs assessment. The limits of main cards are as follows:
New Year card is provided to all assessed and eligible families; 50.000 AMD per household
Childcare card is provided to all pregnant and nursing women (with 0-3 months old children) 40.000 AMD per card.
Clothing and shoes card is provided based on the number of children in the household (0-17, including 17) and 25.000 AMD per card, but not more than 100.000 AMD per household.
Healthcare card is provided based on the needs identified and is estimated 25,000 AMD per card issued to each family.
Back to school card is provided to all children not attending school/ out of school allocating 60,000 AMD per card.
Home essentials card is provided based on identified needs - one card of 60,000 AMD for each family.
Yes, you are entitled to file a complaint or apply for a review. This implies submission of additional documents or details of your situation. Please contact our partners by calling 095 889 388 and provide your information so that we make a note and transfer the information to the Unified Social Service for review.
The money on the card cannot be transferred to another card. If you prefer to replace the key recipient of your family (e.g., by making another family member a recipient of cash assistance), please reach out to inform us about it and provide us your contact data and that of the family member you wish to appoint as a key recipient. We will look through the issue and, if possible, replace the key recipient.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION, TYPES AND USE OF CARD
Q&As
- New Year card can be used in stores included in the list of Idram (Supermarkets & Food) for New Year shopping, with the exception of stores selling tobacco products, alcohol and sweets. It is prohibited to use the cash assistance to buy alcohol, energy drinks, tobacco products and on gambling.
- Clothing and shoes card can be used in respective stores, giving the preference to children aged 0-18 years.
- Childcare card can be used for pregnant women or infants (0-3 (including) months) to buy clothing or medicines. The money cannot be used to buy formula. The list of preferred childcare items is featured in this Guide.
- Healthcare card can be used for the purchase of hygiene items, medicines and certain health and dental services, except for purchase of aesthetic services and formula (without special indication).
- Home essentials card can be used to buy bed linens, household goods, furniture, utensils, construction items.
- The money on Back-to-School card can be used to create enabling conditions for furthering school-children’s education, including buying school items and stationery or respective furniture.
You can download the app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS). Just search for “ID Plus” or “Idram”, download and install the app on your phone. Once the application has been downloaded, it is necessary to register or log in with an existing user account. For technical support, you can contact Idram at 060 700 700.
- Access Idram application.
- In the first position of the Idcoins and e-card section, the balance of your card will be reflected.
- You can hide the amount available on your wallet by pressing Wallet field, or allow it to be reflected with another touch on the field.
- Bear in mind, that on the main page of the application, you will see the aggregate of all types of e-cards, but when making the payment, you will see only the amount intended for the given type of purchase. For example, when paying at a grocery store, you will not see the Healthcare card for buying medicines as a payment source, and so on.
No, the e-card is intended only for non-cash purchases. Cash withdrawal is not allowed and is technically impossible.
Please contact Idram’s 24/7 technical support service (060 700 700 or 098 700 970 Telegram/WhatsApp) to tackle the issues related to the application or account access.
E-card implies provision of support for the maximum of three areas below: New Year, Childcare, Clothing and shoes, Healthcare, Back to school, Home Essentials.
You can find the list of stores for each card in the ID Plus application.
You can use the card before February 28, 2025.
If the e-card amount is not fully used up by the deadline, it is not possible to claim the remaining amount. We encourage you to spend the money before the end of the specified deadline. After the deadline, the unused amount of the card will be nullified.
No, the e-card can only be used in the Idram payment system stores. You can find the list of stores in ID Plus application.
You can use the card to meet your family’s higher priority needs according to the e-card limits and designation.
Each card can be used only within the defined limit. If you exceed it, the outstanding amount will be paid from your bank account (if available). In this case, you can make Combo payment.
How to make COMBO payments via e-card?
- Access Idram/IDBank application.
- Click on the QR button.
- Scan the store’s QR on the coupon or label.
- Select first option in the opened window to choose combo payment via e-cards.
- By clicking on that option, you will also see the option of adding combo payment.
- If the e-card amount does not suffice, the outstanding part will be charged from the withdrawal account.
- Pay by confirming the payment with a PIN-code, Face ID or fingerprint.
Ready: the payment will be made instantly, and the coupon will be stored in the History section of the Idram/IDBank application.
- New Year card can be used in the stores included in the list of Idram (Supermarkets & Food) for New Year shopping, except for all special stores and those selling only tobacco products, alcohol and sweets. It is prohibited to use the cash assistance to buy alcohol, energy
drinks, tobacco products, on gambling, or in stores selling exclusively sweets. - Clothing and shoes card can be used in the relevant stores, giving preference to children aged 0-18 years.
- Childcare card can be used for pregnant women or infants (0-3 (including) months) to buy clothing or medicines. The money cannot be used to buy formula. The list of preferred childcare items is featured in this Guide.
- Healthcare card can be used for the purchase of hygiene items, medicines and certain health and dental services, except for purchase of aesthetic services and formula (without special indication).
- Home essentials card can be used to buy bed linens, household goods, furniture, utensils, construction items.
- The money on Back-to-school card can be used to create enabling conditions for furthering school-children’s education, including buying school items and stationery or respective furniture.
For all cards:
- It is prohibited to use the cash assistance to buy alcohol, energy
drinks, tobacco products, on gambling, or in stores selling exclusively sweets.
No, the e-card is not subject to sale or exchange and it cannot be exchanged for goods or services.
E-card implies provision of support in a maximum of three of 6 directions. As a result of an assessment and prioritization of your household needs, it was determined to provide 3 out of the following 6 cards:
- New Year
- Childcare
- Clothing and shoes
- Healthcare
- Back to school
- Home essentials
You need to have your phone with Internet connection, containing ID Plus application. Note: No need to have an ID or a passport.
You can contact the Idram Customer Service to get support on your account. They will help you to recover access to the app and use your account.
First of all, check to see if the store is on the ID plus application list. If yes, please contact the Idram hotline to identify the technical or other problem and help tackle it.
No, the card is provided to you and is intended solely for the needs of your family members. If you need to make a change in the data of the main recipient of the family, please inform us about it.
Yes, you can check card balance in the ID Plus application. If you encounter problems with using the application, please contact Idram's Technical Support Center.
Please contact Idram’s 24/7 Technical Support Service (060 700 700 or 098 700 970 Telegram/WhatsApp) to solve the problems related to the application or account access.
No, you can't use the card for online purchases.
Please provide updated information about your family by calling 095 889 388. We will provide your updated information to the United Social Service for review and modify the size of support, if necessary.
Yes, you can use the card within the territory of Armenia, at any store included in the Idram list.
If there are no stores in your community or adjacent area, where you can use the card, please tell us the name of your community. We will contact Idram to include that area in the list of partner stores. Before that, you can use the services of Idram partners in other communities or contact us for further advice.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT IDRAM, USS, OR SERVICE OF THE STORES
Q&As
If Idram does not solve your technical issue or you have a problem with quality service, please call 095 889 388 and describe the problem.
You can contact us by calling our hotline at 095 889 388 or apply to the territorial center of the Unified Social Service to file a complaint. The complaint will be forwarded to responsible authorities for additional review and information on further steps will be provided to you.
If you have been mistreated by the store staff, please immediately inform us by calling 095 889 388 and providing the name, address and community of the store. We will record the complaint and intervene to investigate the problem. If necessary, measures will be taken with the management of Idram and partner stores.
First of all, make sure the store is on the list. If it turns out that the store is not on the list, then give us the name and address of the store by calling 095 889 388. We will transfer it to Idram partners to add it to the list, if possible.
Return process depends on the internal policy of the given store. First of all, please talk to the store administration about the return or exchange of merchandise. If the store does not want to arrange the return through Idram or there is a problem, please contact Idram’s Customer Service Center at 060 700 700.
If you notice that the store tries to charge an additional fee or does not apply the defined discount, please immediately inform by calling 095 889 388. We will record the case and forward it to Idram and the store management to take measures against illegal payments and violation of terms and conditions.
If the salesperson is having difficulty with the card or application, please suggest him/her to contact the technical support of the Idram. You can also call the Idram hotline at 060 700 700 to guide the store employee by phone instructions.
Yes, you are free to choose any store in the Idram partner network. We also recommend that you report us about poor service in order to take appropriate measures with respect to stores that do not comply with the conditions of cooperation.
QUESTIONS ABOUT FEEDBACK
46. In case of technical issues, which hot lines do we contact?
For technical support, please contact 24/7 Idram payment system at 060 700 700, Telegram and Whatsapp - 098 700 970, or visit Idram Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday, 09:00-18:00, and Saturday, 10:00-14:00, at the following address: city Yerevan, 48/1 Nalbandyan, "Sakharov" Business Center.
47. How can I get an update on the status of my complaint or query?
Please indicate your contact information by calling 095 889 388 and we will provide the latest updated information. If the request is under review by UNICEF or another relevant agency, we will get in touch with you later.
48. How to contact the Unified Social Service (SSS)?
You can reach the Call Center of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia by dialing 114 or visit the nearest regional center of the Unified Social Service. The addresses are available on the official website of the Unified Social Service at this link.