Material aid payment cards to help people in financial distress

The Material Aid and Inclusivity project of the Finnish Red Cross involves 1,100 of our volunteers across Finland. The project will provide comprehensive support to people in financially challenging situations in more than 100 towns and cities. The Red Cross project will last until the end of 2024.

“Alongside the distribution of material aid, it is important to strengthen people’s participation and agency,” says Riikka Kaukonen Lindholm, Planning Officer for Food Aid and Project Manager at the Finnish Red Cross. 

In addition to payment cards and material aid, aid recipients are offered, depending on the location, inclusion activities and support such as communal meals, financial and health advice, emotional support, discussion support and referrals to different services and operators. 

“We help people in acute or prolonged financial distress to e.g. find the social security allowances and employment services they are entitled to,” Kaukonen Lindholm explains. 

Close cooperation with organisations and the public sector 

In addition to the 104 volunteer branches of the Finnish Red Cross, the Material Aid and Inclusivity project involves more than 200 local partners. Partners include social services, the Employment and Economic Development Office and numerous organisations. 

A total of 65,000 material aid payment cards will be distributed as part of the Finnish Red Cross project during 2023–2024. Aid recipients can use the payment cards to buy food and other basic necessities in order to cope with acute or prolonged circumstances that are financially challenging. 

The distribution of payment cards will start in October 2023 in the first locations. Aid recipients will be identified locally by the Finnish Red Cross’s branches and partners. Payment cards are distributed in cooperation with partners, such as social services and other organisations, and as a part of the Finnish Red Cross food aid activities.  

Distribution methods and schedules vary by location. You can find out more about the towns and cities involved in the project here. For more information on food aid events organised by the Finnish Red Cross in your area, please visit the foodaid.fi website.

The Finnish Red Cross’s branches will also promote the project’s events on their own channels and in the local media if there are no existing food activities organised by the Finnish Red Cross in the area. 

Payment cards are a new form of support alongside other food aid 

Material aid payment cards are a new form of aid in Finland, which means that there are no existing practices for it.  

“Although the need is great, the demand for this new form of support cannot be accurately predicted. If demand is high, there may be challenges in organising activities, as the amount of aid that can be distributed is limited. We also recognise that there is a risk that support will not reach the people who need it most. Identifying, monitoring and minimising risks is particularly important when introducing a new form of aid,” Kaukonen Lindholm states. 

To minimise the risks, the Finnish Red Cross’s local branches identify those in need together with their partners, such as social services. 

“We always meet with aid recipients to provide them with the support and guidance that is relevant to their needs, while making sure their need for help exists,” Kaukonen Lindholm says. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine crisis and the increase in prices have increased the need for food aid. At the same time, the amount of waste food meant for distribution has decreased. Material aid payment cards only partially meet the increased need for aid and are a new form of support alongside other food aid and assistance.  

“It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 people in Finland seeking food aid. Unfortunately, the need is great, and the number of cards is limited. However, the Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities to support people’s inclusion and survival.” 

Material aid payment cards for low-income people are funded by the European Social Fund Plus. The material aid is part of the measures of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027 programme. The Finnish Red Cross project has been awarded a grant of €2,964,000. Of this grant, €2,600,000 will be used for payment cards to help low-income people, €182,000 for the organisation of the project’s inclusive activities and €182,000 for administrative costs, in accordance with the project decision. 

The Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities. For a complete list of food aid events, please visit foodaid.fi. 

Frequently asked questions 

Who is eligible for a payment card? 

The material aid payment cards are intended for low-income people who are in acute or prolonged financial distress.  

There are a limited number of payment cards, so unfortunately only some of those who need aid can receive one. In a situation where there are more people in need than there are cards available, our policy is to prioritise aid to those who are in the most vulnerable situation. 

However, the Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities to support people’s survival. For more information on food aid events organised by the Finnish Red Cross in your area, please visit foodaid.fi. 

Where can you apply for a payment card? 

Distribution methods and schedules vary by location. You can find out more about the towns and cities involved in the project here. Payment cards are distributed as a part of the Finnish Red Cross food aid activities and in cooperation with partners, such as social services. Aid recipients will be identified and met locally by the Finnish Red Cross’s branches and partners. 

There are a limited number of payment cards, so unfortunately only some of those who need aid can receive one. In a situation where there are more people in need than there are cards available, our policy is to prioritise aid to those who are in the most vulnerable situation. 

The Finnish Red Cross also offers other food aid activities, such as food distributions. For a complete list of food aid events, please visit foodaid.fi. 

Where will payment cards be distributed?  

The Material Aid and Inclusivity project of the Finnish Red Cross will distribute the first payment cards in October 2023. Distribution methods and schedules vary by location. You can find out more about the towns and cities involved in the project here. 

How much is a payment card worth?  

40 euros.  

What products can be bought with a payment card?  

The material aid payment card can be used to pay for food and basic necessities in grocery stores. The card cannot be used to buy gambling, alcohol or tobacco products or gift vouchers. It is also not exchangeable for cash.  

Basic necessities include hygiene products such as diapers, detergents and tissue papers.