A few -day countdown runs today (26.5.25) for the payment of his 2nd installment child allowance of OPECA (A21).
Specifically, the child allowance is expected to be paid by OPECA at the end of the week, probably on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in the afternoon.
It is recalled that it will be the first time the child allowance will be paid by a prepaid card, and the second half will be paid through a bank account.
How does the prepaid card work?
Each beneficiary of one or more benefits will correspond to a single prepaid card, which will serve exclusively for the payment of all its social benefits. This card will issue and send a payment service provider (PYP), to which the beneficiary holds an active payment account (IBAN).
The card holder will be able to withdraw cash through automatic cash registers (ATMs) up to half of the amount of each allowance. The rest of the amount will be spent exclusively through the use of the prepaid card to purchase goods and services.
What are the payment service providers (PYP) who are involved in the program?
The payment service providers (PYP) participating in the special prepaid card issuance to date are:
- National Bank
- Alpha Bank
- Attica Bank
- Piraeus Bank
- Eurobank
- Cooperative bank
- Cooperative Bank of Karditsa
- Cooperative Bank of Thessaly
I do not have an active account on any of the above providers. What should I do?
You should proceed to open an account to one of the above providers in order to launch the prepaid card issuance to which your benefits will be credited.
I receive my allowances through ELTA. What about this case?
In this case too, you should proceed to open an account to one of the providers involved in the program, as ELTA. SA It does not participate in this to date.
What do I need to do to get a prepaid card?
The process of issuing the prepaid card is automatically begun through new integrated information system (IIS), which has been created specifically for the needs of the program. The Information System is interoperating with the DBA and OPECA databases and recovers IBAN and the address you have already stated in your applications for benefits. You will then be sent an email to enter the new system within five (5) days to check the correctness of the data and, if you wish, to change them. If you do not take any action within the aforementioned period, your application is submitted with the information recovered by the bodies (DIPAA and/or OPECA) to the IBAN payment service provider. The payment service provider proceeds to check the application and then to issue and send your prepaid card.
How do I enter the new information system?
In the new Information System you enter with your personal codes- credentials of the General Secretariat for Information Systems and Digital Governance (Taxisnet).
I receive two or above benefits, which are paid to different IBAN. What about this case?
If you receive two or more benefits to different IBAN, then an email will be sent to you to follow a specific electronic link to enter the new information system and enter a single IBAN. The option/introduction of a single IBAN is a prerequisite for the application for a prepaid card issuance, and thus the payment of your benefits.
I receive two or above benefits and in my applications I had stated different home and/or mail addresses. Which address will my card be sent to me?
If you receive two or more benefits and in your applications you have stated two different home and/or mail addresses, you will be e -mailing to you to follow a specific electronic link to enter the new information system and enter your single card. The introduction of a single card shipping address is a prerequisite for the application for a prepaid card issuance, and therefore the payment of your benefits.
I and my spouse also receive an allowance from OPECA and/or DBA using the same account (IBAN) in which we are co -owners. Will one of two declare a different account (IBAN) to proceed with the issuance of each prepaid card?
No. The declaration of the same account (IBAN) in the information system by different benefit beneficiaries does not affect the process of issuing the personal special prepaid card.
How can I find out about my card’s card request?
You will be informed on the course of your card application (submission, approval or rejection) through a personalized email. But at any time you can enter Taxisnet with the new information system and check the course of your application.
How will I pick up my card?
Payment Service Providers (PYP) are responsible for sending the prepaid cards to the declared management of the beneficiaries or arrange for their own receipt from their respective stores.
I am the beneficiary of the minimum guaranteed income and I already have a prepaid card. What about my case?
If your card is published by the National Bank, Attica Bank or Piraeus Bank, then you do not need to take any action, as you will continue to use the prepaid card you already have. However, your card will now operate in the way described above, that is, your total benefits will be credited to it and you will have the right to withdraw up to 50% of the amount. In the event that your card is one of the other five (5) payment service providers (see Question 5 above), the process of issuing a new prepaid card will be issued.
I have received the prepaid card. Does this automatically mean that my allowance will be credited?
The prepaid card is the new payment method of the allowance approved in the beneficiary. However, the conditions on the basis of which this is approved, rejected or even revoked its initial approval, do not change and have to do with the legislation that governs it. This means that, even if the prepaid card has been issued, received and activated, there is a possibility, for reasons related to the conditions for granting, the amount of the requested allowance is not credited.
I received my card. Can I do transactions?
A prerequisite prior to the first use of your card is to activate it, in accordance with the instructions of the Payment Service Provider (PYP) that issued it.
Are there any categories of transactions excluded from the use of the prepaid card?
It is not possible to use the prepaid card for transactions related to weapons and gambling.
Is the use of the prepaid card safe?
Yes, the use of the prepaid card is just as safe as the use of any other bank card. It is important not to disclose to anyone your personal code (PIN).
Are there charges for using the prepaid card?
Cash withdrawals from your provider’s ATM or ATMs affiliated with your network provider and payments for the purchase of goods or services you will carry out with your card do not pay any charge.
How can I check the balance and movements of the prepaid card?
According to the instructions of the Payment Service Provider (PYP) that issued it, you will have a number of ways to check the balance and movements of your card (such as internet banking, via mobile banking, at ATMs, by telephone or by mail). You can find out about the ways of informing available available balances and movements of each provider on its official website.
What should I do in case of loss or wear of the card?
Follow the instructions of the Payment Service Provider (PYP) that issued it. These instructions are included in the receipt folder of your prepaid card. In addition, you can find out on the official website of each payment provider.
I use my card, but I want to change a bank. Is this possible?
By entering the new information system you can request the release of a new prepaid card by filling in the IBAN of the new provider, in which you maintain an active account.
Do I have an incentive to use the card for purchases as much as possible?
Yes. A special public lottery program (lottery) has been provided, through which a total of 8,500 lucky ones will be highlighted, each of which will earn from 1,000 euros. The higher the use of the prepaid card for purchases (ie more than 50%), the more the lotteries you will be involved in the draw, and therefore the chances of winning.
Do I need to immediately take some action before the start of the new payment method?
Those who are already receiving any of the benefits that fall into the new payment method or are going to receive within the first quarter of 2025 are first encouraged to open a payment account (IBAN) to a payment service provider (PYP) who is involved in the program if they do not already have an active account. Secondly, it is good for existing beneficiaries (except for the child-A21 allowance), to update, if necessary, their details and in particular their declared addresses, in the electronic applications of benefits received from DBA and/or OPECA.