Everything you need to know about the Unified Card, a new alternative to the Ration Card

The unified card, a replacement for the ration card has sparked widespread interest following its gradual rollout across Egypt. The Supply and Internal Trade Ministry announced that the unified card will be delivered to citizens free of charge. The Egypt Post plays a key and effective role in the unified card issuance system. Obtaining the Card Those interested must visit the Egypt Post to open a personal account for every citizen receiving the unified card. Register your national ID card details and your mobile phone number registered in your name with a mobile network operator. The card is equipped with a smart fingerprint to ensure that the service reaches those entitled to it. Uses of the Unified Card The unified card is a prepaid electronic card used for depositing or receiving funds directly onto the card and completing purchases at point-of-sale terminals at merchants or withdrawing cash from National Post Authority ATMs, with the amount being deducted directly from the card account. The card is also used for making payments for digital government services, disbursing subsidized bread and rationed goods to citizens at bakeries and ration card distributors, and for comprehensive health insurance services. How to Receive the Unified Card Cards will be distributed after the head of the household receives a text message on their mobile phone instructing them, their spouse, and children over 16 years of age to go to a specific post office or supply office within a specified timeframe. The head of the household will receive their card, which includes subsidized food and bread for the entire family. Other family members will receive their individual cards, which include comprehensive health insurance and payment services. The unified card will be available for collection at designated distribution centers, including post offices, supply offices, comprehensive health insurance offices, and the governorate headquarters, for one month from the date the citizen receives the text message. Upon arriving at the designated collection point as indicated in the message, each family member can collect their package free of charge using their national ID card and the mobile phone number registered in their name. This service is provided by Egypt Post employees. Payment services are activated immediately, while the activation of food subsidy and comprehensive health insurance services will be announced later. If the message is not received, citizens can call the Egypt Digital Platform hotline at 15999 to find out their collection location and scheduled time. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm