Distribution Staff Portal

Using 121 Scan for payment status updates and reconciliation

121 Scan helps to reconcile cash-in-hand payments and update the payment statuses in the 121 platform.

  • Log in to 121 Scan as "Distribution Staff".
  • Select the program.
  • Click Sync. This will synchronize all pending payments in your program. Make sure to wait for the synchronization to be completed and it shows the total number of payments expected. Do not refresh the page until the small circle has stopped turning.
  • Click Scan. You can now go offline or stay online. Use the camera to start scanning the QR code, or enter the 8-digit code in the field below.
  • Confirm the beneficiary's information displayed on your screen. If the identity is confirmed, accept the payment. If the identity cannot be verified, decline the payment.
  • Go to the next scan until the distribution is completed.
  • Click Send. This will reconcile all pending payments in 121 Scan and update the statuses accordingly.

Send the day's data as soon as a distribution finishes — waiting risks losing it if the device is lost, switched, or reset.

Who can use 121 Scan?

Red Cross staff and volunteers

During a cash distribution, 121 Scan is useful to support beneficiaries' verification and reconciliation phases. This means Red Cross and FSP staff don't need to manually compare a paper list or spreadsheet against 121 afterwards, although a clear, agreed reconciliation process with the FSP is still needed, especially for cases where a code can't be matched or a payment is rejected.

FSP Agents

The FSP agents can use 121 Scan to support beneficiaries' verification and reconciliation phases. This will help the Red Cross program team get the payment updates in a much shorter time, while also avoiding the exchange of data through different emails and Excel spreadsheets. The FSP is responsible for recording accurate payment outcomes and sending them back to 121 promptly. This is why an agreed reconciliation process with the FSP, and reliable access to the internet to sync, are both conditions for using 121 Scan.

Allowing camera access on your device

121 Scan needs your camera to scan QR codes. Usually, your device asks automatically the first time; tap Allow. If it was blocked before:

  • Android: Settings > Apps > [your browser] > Permissions > Camera > Allow, then reload the page. (Menu names vary by phone brand.)
  • iOS: Settings > [your browser, e.g. Safari] > Camera > Allow, then reload the page.

Troubleshooting 121 Scan

Internet, Wi-Fi, mobile data, or satellite

  • Internet is only needed for Sync and Send, not for scanning. A brief signal drop won't interrupt your work (121 Scan waits for 3 failed checks before going offline).
  • If Sync or Send won't finish, check your connection, move to better signal, and try again; keep the browser tab open throughout the day.
  • A long, photo-heavy list takes longer to sync and uses more data, so do this on a stable connection.
  • If you are using Starlink, we recommend switching to mobile data or Wi-Fi and trying again.

Camera or scanning problems

  • Camera won't open: check the permission (see Allowing camera access above).
  • QR code won't scan: check it isn't damaged or dirty; otherwise type in its reference number.
  • "Invalid QR code": usually means it's already been used; if a genuinely new code fails, refer the person to your IM/CVA focal point.
  • Nothing matches: check the right program was selected, and that the payment isn't older than 14 days (Sync's window); otherwise check with your focal point.

Device or page problems

  • Page frozen or won't load: reload or restart the device and reload again.
  • Logged out or looks out of sync: log back in and run Sync again.

We recommend closing all tabs and applications if your device struggles with downloading data in 121 Scan, and trying again.

QR code cannot be scanned, or an error message appears

QR code cannot be scanned:

  • The QR code is damaged, unclear, or the printing is not clean.
  • The QR code may be exchanged or printed with a better quality.
  • Alternatively, use the 8-digit code below the QR code print and type it in the field.

Error message: QR code is wrong or cannot be found.

  • Have you synchronized the payment before starting to scan? If not, your device may not be able to find the payment yet because you still need to sync the pending payments.
  • Have you scanned the same QR code multiple times and distributed the cash? If no additional pending payments are linked to the same QR code, you will no longer be able to scan it.
  • None of these explanations apply? Contact the program administrator and check the beneficiary status.

Onboarding and Support

121 Scan is under active development and is currently only used in a small number of pilot contexts. If you have questions about whether 121 Scan is right for your program, or need support using it, contact support@121.global.

Need further assistance? Contact your dedicated Account Manager or reach our support team via email.