RIYADH: The Ministry of Social Affairs has launched a plan for the beneficiaries of social security and the financial assistance provided for persons with disabilities involving the adoption of the IBAN system instead of the smart cards associated with the account.

Majed Al-Osaimi, information technology head at the ministry, said the plan allows the beneficiaries to open new accounts in the banks to receive the payments, noting that the renewal of the cards and the PIN numbers will be delivered through the banks and that the ministry will have no role in this.

“The responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs will only involve depositing the amounts to the account of the beneficiary,” he explained.

He said the plan will provide beneficiaries with all the banking services, including the payment of bills, transfers between accounts and other banking transactions, in addition to easy deposits and withdrawals through the IBAN account in all the bank branches.

The move to use the IBAN service after beneficiaries faced problems with smart cards, such delay in delivering the PIN number and activating the card.