Vietnam Social Security Clarifies Power-of-Attorney Procedure for One-Time Benefits After Form 13-HSB Is Abolished (Decision 313/QD-BHXH)
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Based on:313/QĐ-BHXH - Ministry of Finance
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Vietnam Social Security (BHXH Vietnam) has issued an official response addressing complaints about the power-of-attorney procedure for claiming one-time social insurance benefits after Decision No. 313/QD-BHXH (issued March 27, 2026) abolished Form No. 13-HSB, the standard power-of-attorney form. BHXH Vietnam clarified that removing this form is only a change to the dossier composition and internal workflow as part of administrative reform, and it does not eliminate or restrict a worker's legal right to authorize someone else to act on their behalf. Under point d, clause 2, Article 10 of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance (effective from July 1, 2025), SI beneficiaries retain the right to authorize another person in writing to handle SI procedures; a power-of-attorney for receiving pensions or allowances is valid for a maximum of 12 months and must be properly certified. For workers residing or working abroad, the power-of-attorney must be certified by a Vietnamese diplomatic or consular office abroad, or notarized and certified under local law and consularly legalized (unless exempted), in order to be valid for transactions in Vietnam. BHXH Vietnam also acknowledged reports of some local officials rigidly rejecting power-of-attorney dossiers and asked affected individuals to provide details of the receiving office, timing, and supporting documents for investigation. Employers with staff working overseas, and the workers themselves, should note the correct form of power-of-attorney now required in place of the abolished Form 13-HSB when filing for one-time social insurance benefits.
Background
On March 27, 2026, the General Director of Vietnam Social Security (BHXH Vietnam) issued Decision No. 313/QD-BHXH, amending and supplementing the procedure for settling social insurance (SI) and unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under Decision No. 2222/QD-BHXH. One notable change was the abolition of Form No. 13-HSB, the standard power-of-attorney form, from the benefit claim dossier.
Following this decision, many workers, especially those residing or working abroad, reported that local social insurance officials refused to accept power-of-attorney dossiers, citing that the system no longer accepts authorizations, and requiring workers to return to Vietnam in person to complete procedures.
Official response from BHXH Vietnam
BHXH Vietnam confirmed that abolishing Form 13-HSB is only a change to the dossier composition and internal business process, aimed at administrative procedure reform and dossier standardization. It does not change or restrict the right of SI participants and beneficiaries to authorize another person, as guaranteed by law.
Legal basis for the right of authorization
Under point d, clause 2, Article 10 of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance (effective July 1, 2025), a social insurance beneficiary has the right to:
- Authorize another person in writing to carry out social insurance procedures on their behalf.
- For authorization to receive pension, social insurance allowances, and other benefits, the power-of-attorney document is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the date it is established.
- The power-of-attorney document must be certified in accordance with the law on certification.
Procedure for workers abroad
Workers residing or working abroad must prepare the power-of-attorney document in accordance with Vietnamese law and any international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. The document is valid for use in Vietnam when it is either:
- Certified by a Vietnamese diplomatic or consular representative office abroad; or
- Notarized and certified in accordance with local law and consularly legalized (except where exempted under an international treaty or the reciprocity principle).
Handling reports of dossier refusal
BHXH Vietnam acknowledged the feedback about local officials rigidly refusing power-of-attorney dossiers. Individuals encountering such issues are asked to provide specific details, including the receiving SI agency, the date of the incident, and any related documents, so BHXH Vietnam can investigate and handle the matter accordingly.
Notes for businesses and workers
Companies employing workers who go abroad should share this guidance when helping employees complete one-time social insurance benefit procedures. Workers should prepare a properly certified power-of-attorney document, with consular legalization where required, instead of the now-abolished Form No. 13-HSB.