Did you know there is a social support card for the purchase of food? So far, 48,203 consumers are benefiting from this aid, aimed at low-income families, reports DECO PROteste.
“People facing economic hardship and at risk of social exclusion in mainland Portugal are at the forefront of receiving the electronic social card. This support was created to assist in the purchase of foodstuffs and essential goods and is expected to last until January 2027,” the consumer protection organization states.
What is the food card?
The DECO PROteste explains that the “electronic social card gradually replaces the food basket which is also distributed to low-income families.”
“Expected to cover 120,000 people, it has not yet met this goal. Those who have not yet received the card continue to benefit from the food basket. The first cards were distributed in February 2025. Setúbal, Alcácer do Sal, Grândola, Sines, and Santiago do Cacém initiated the initiative, which has since been extended across the mainland,” it states on the organization’s website.
The Social Security estimates that the card “will benefit around 55,000 people.”
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Who is it for?
According to DECO PROteste, “the coordinating and distributing entities, partners of the program that provide aid to the most needy, decide which families receive the electronic social card and which remain with the food basket.”
“This assessment is based on the households’ profile. The aim is for the electronic social card to reach between 45,000 and 55,000 recipients benefiting from food aid under the People 2030 Program, funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). Currently, it covers more than 48,000 consumers,” it clarifies.
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What is the amount?
“The electronic social card is loaded monthly. The base amount is 50.95 euros, assigned to the head of the household. Other family members, whether adults or minors, receive 35.67 euros, which is 70% of 50.95 euros,” it states.
DECO PROteste explains that the guiding principle is nutritionally adequate food, which includes dairy products, pasta, rice, legumes, fish, meat, olive oil, and vegetables.
Thus, the complete list of foods that can be purchased includes:
- soy beverages;
- edible fats;
- yogurts;
- milk;
- cream;
- eggs;
- cheese;
- baby food;
- hot drinks;
- breakfast cereals;
- spices and seasonings;
- liquid fats;
- basic products;
- bakery products;
- meals;
- salted cod and frozen fish in bulk;
- cold cuts and cheese;
- fruits and vegetables;
- bakery and pastry items;
- fishery products;
- refrigerated meals;
- butcher shop items.
It should also be noted that “from the perspective of a healthy diet and lifestyle, alcohol and soft drinks are prohibited.”
