With effect from 1 January 2021, the distribution of social payments is performed automatically, through the Government e-Payment Service MPay. The e-Governance Agency (EGA) has taken all necessary steps to ensure the smooth operation of the new mechanism of paying pensions and social benefits, designed to optimize this process, generate savings in the national budget, but also ensure best use of the financial resources obtained in the result of the application of the electronic payments in the interest of the beneficiaries of social benefits.

In this context, pursuant to the Prime Minister's Order no. 158-d of 10.12.2020, EGA specialists ensured the operation of the Government e-Payment Service MPay, including on 2 January 2021, by providing the necessary support to the National Social Insurance Office in order to make the timely payment of pensions and other social benefits for the payment period 01 - 04 January 2021.

At the same time, in order to complete the entire process of cash benefits distribution, to exclude delays in the payment of pensions, but also to avoid excessive crowding at the offices of the national postal services operator, the functionality of the Automated interbank payments system (SAPI), managed by the National Bank of Moldova had to be ensured, a condition that was not fulfilled.

EGA notes that the problems related to the one-day delay in the payment of pensions are not caused by the insufficiency of funds nor are they related to the functionality of the MPay service, but to the unavailability of SAPI on 2 January 2021.

After SAPI had been put into operation again, the payment of social benefits to the beneficiaries served through the State Enterprise "Posta Moldovei" and banking institutions is possible starting with 5 January 2021, as announced by the company through its regional offices.

Considering the above, it should be noted that the Government e-Payment Service MPay operates with the optimal parameters, and the payment of social benefits is performed in line with the existing requirements.