[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The new wallet card is an initiative of the Government of Spain, which is initially administered Red Cross and then by the autonomous communities. We are going to explain what it is and how it works. It seeks to offer direct and less stigmatizing help to families with minors in extreme vulnerable conditions. However, it has generated controversy because, according to Equality Minister Loles López, "280.000 vulnerable families in Andalusia are going to be left out" of the distribution of basic foods.

Change of model

Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, highlighted the paradigm shift with this new model. Wallet cards or redeemable vouchers, which replace the traditional food bag system, seek to avoid the so-called «hunger queues«, offering families a more dignified and direct means to satisfy their basic needs.

Funding for this initiative comes from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the state tranche of the fund. It is estimated that it will benefit approximately 70.000 families throughout Spain. During 2024, the state portion of the fund will cover the costs, allowing the autonomous communities to allocate their resources to other projects.

The wallet cards will begin to be distributed in April 2024 under the temporary administration of the Red Cross. As of January 1, 2025, management will pass into the hands of the autonomous communities with financing secured by the ESF+.

The wallet card and its operation

These cards will allow families in vulnerable situations buy food and basic necessities at collaborating supermarkets. A key aspect is that they will facilitate access to fresh products such as fruits and vegetables. The amount of the cards varies depending on the family composition, ranging between 130 and 220 euros per month.

The social services of the autonomous communities will be responsible for determining the families eligible for the program. The selected families must go to the Red Cross reference centers to collect their cards.

In addition, the Red Cross will be in charge of the tender to identify and select participating supermarkets during 2024. Starting in 2025, responsibility for this selection will fall to the autonomous communities.
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280.000 families will be left out of the wallet card

Loles López, Minister of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality of the Junta de Andalucía, raises the question: Why does the PSOE Government take away food from some vulnerable families. She says it is the antithesis of social.

As stated in published Europa PressThe counselor, Loles López, has warned that "280.000 vulnerable families in Andalusia are going to be left out" of the distribution of basic foods due to the new model "imposed" by the Government of Spain, which "has turned a deaf ear" to the warnings from autonomous communities such as Andalusia, which already made its concern public in August. This means “excluding 85%” of the current beneficiaries – 330.158 people – from the community.

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The PP-A asks the Government not to leave "vulnerable" Andalusians without food

January 29, 2024. The deputy secretary of Equality, Health, Youth and Social Welfare of the Popular Party of Andalusia (PP-A), Beatriz Jurado, has expressed deep concern regarding the modifications proposed by the Government of Pedro Sánchez in the criteria for access to the wallet cards. This measure, according to Jurado, could leave more than 280.000 Andalusians considered vulnerable without food.

The wallet cards, a program aimed at providing food assistance, currently benefit more than 330.000 Andalusians. However, with the proposed new requirements, which prioritize families with children at risk of poverty, it is estimated that approximately 85% of current beneficiaries could lose this vital support.

Jurado has criticized the central government for what he considers a lack of dialogue and planning in the process of change. Concern is particularly focused on low-income seniors who live alone, who represent 60% of current beneficiaries. In addition, it is feared that soup kitchens will also be excluded from this program.

In a call to Sánchez Government and Spanish Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE), the representative of the PP-A has requested greater attention to the voices of the autonomous communities and social entities, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in the management of social issues and the need to avoid improvisations and unilateral decisions.

The PP-A parliamentarian has proposed a "dual model" for the wallet card system, defended by the Andalusian Ministry of Equality. This model seeks to ensure that no one who needs help is excluded and that entities can continue to provide food to those in need. According to Jurado, this model has already been successfully implemented in Andalusia during the pandemic, demonstrating the compatibility of both services.

A technical meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday between the Ministry of Social Rights and the autonomous communities, with the hope of finding a solution that meets the needs of all those affected. The situation in Andalusia highlights the complexity of social assistance policies in Spain and the importance of a balanced approach that considers the needs of all vulnerable groups.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column] [vc_column_text]

Wallet card in press

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Requirements for the Wallet Card: Up to 220 euros for vulnerable families: Starting in April, the Government will deliver these cards that are redeemable in supermarkets and will replace the baskets of the Food Banks. These are the foods that are most expensive from the countryside to the supermarket Carrefour announces a price drop in 500 products January 24, 2024 Source: Diariodejerez.es
The Council of Ministers approves wallet cards for delivery to vulnerable families starting in April: The Government has detailed in a press conference after the Council of Ministers the requirements and amounts that families will receive in the form of wallet cards starting in April. January 23, 2024 Source: ondacero.es
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This is how the new wallet card works for vulnerable families that will come into force in April: The new wallet card for vulnerable families will come into force next April 2024 and is intended to reach a total of 70.000 families January 23, 2024 Source: Vozpopuli.com
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No, the new wallet cards will not end the hunger queues and these are the reasons: The system will only be available for families with minors in their care and will leave out the majority of the current beneficiaries of the Food Banks January 23, 2024 Source: abc.es
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