Electronic methods of administration and payment

This credit card reader and wireless connection allow people to use their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, through the use of(Electronic Balance Transfer) EBT cards, Baltimore Bucks, and debit card.at the Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar on Sunday, July 8, 2012 in Baltimore, MD. Today marked the new wireless capability that supports portable terminal use to accept "SNAP participation at farmers' markets helps provide fresh fruit and vegetables to families and expands the customer base for local farmers in the Delmarva area, a win-win for agriculture and local communities," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "And when we couple SNAP access at farmers' markets with strategies like education, cooking demonstrations, and community support in the Baltimore area, consumption of healthy foods has potential to grow even more." USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

The use of information communication technology (ICT) in social security administration is increasing worldwide.  E-services can facilitate access and the extension of coverage, the delivery of benefits, contribution collection and other administrative processes. At the same time, the introduction of electronic methods poses some challenges, especially in countries with limited financial and human resources, and with weak legal frameworks to ensure effective protection of personal data and privacy.

 

Photo credit: “20120708-OSEC-LSC-0435” by U.S. Department of Agriculture (CCBY 2.0 via Flickr).

Resources

eGov4women Online Toolkit – Unit 2: Incorporating a gender lens in e-service delivery

The eGov4women is a public resource on the design and implementation of gender-responsive e-government institutional ecosystems. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN Member States in 2015 affirms that “the spread of information and communication technology and global interconnectedness has great potential to accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide and to […]

Electronic payment for cash transfer programmes: Cutting costs and corruption or an idea ahead of its time?

There is growing interest in the use of electronic payment (e-payment) systems in cash transfer programmes. When cash is transferred to beneficiaries through e-payment technologies such as mobile phone accounts or smartcards, there is potential to cut costs and reduce corruption compared with physical payment methods. E-payment systems can also improve accessibility and security for […]

ISSA Guidelines on Information and Communication Technology

The ISSA Guidelines on Information and Communication Technology address the issues related to the management and implementation of ICT systems and provide guidance to support social security institutions in carrying out ICT-related activities. Its main goals are to promote the effectiveness and reliability of social security services, as well as their efficiency and standardization. It […]

Information and Communication Technology: Facilitating innovative social security

The objective of this issue is to highlight four sustainable and positive contributions that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is making to social security; to summarize the challenges of putting in place and managing effective ICT and to identify key elements to the successful implementation of ICT solutions. Link to this page

Social Protection and Human Rights