While the coupons are to have a wide range of uses, including at department stores, restaurants, book stores, night markets, beauty and hair salons, hotels, and to purchase travel and concert tickets, they cannot be used to pay for online purchases, taxes, fines, cigarettes, stock bonds, insurance, credit card loans, pensions, gift cards or to store value.

While coupons might not be ideal compared to cash, there are some obvious benefits. Coupons promote direct spending, which cash does not. And with the restrictions in place it’s sure to do exactly that, and not just be put into the bank or other financial institutions. Which will help it actually go to the people and local businesses.