Government Announces Fourth Phase of Subsidy Voucher Scheme to Coincide with Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
In a move to support low-income households, the Iranian government has confirmed the disbursement of the fourth phase of its electronic subsidy voucher scheme. The timing of this allocation is set to honor the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reflecting the government’s commitment to social welfare in line with cultural and religious values.
Key Disbursement Details
Marjan Dabiri, the official spokesperson for the electronic voucher initiative, announced that the credit for the fourth phase will be deposited into the accounts of eligible heads of household starting Wednesday, September 10th. This phase specifically targets citizens in the first to third income deciles, ensuring support reaches those with the greatest need.
Dabiri emphasized that households with remaining credit from previous phases can continue to use those funds. She also noted that over 60 million citizens are covered under this latest phase of the comprehensive support program.
Funding and Economic Strategy
The program is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to improve living standards and ensure access to essential goods. To secure funding for this phase, the government has utilized a multi-faceted approach. This includes reallocating resources from the Targeted Subsidies Organization and the general budget, alongside utilizing Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenue. A key measure involved the careful revision of subsidy beneficiary lists to enhance the program’s efficiency and focus.
Eligible Goods and Credit Amounts
The voucher credit is designated exclusively for the purchase of 11 essential food items, which include:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Liquid oil
- Pasta
- Rice
- Sugar
- Legumes
- Frozen veal
These items can be procured at designated stores contracted with the program.
The credit amounts are structured based on income brackets:
- Deciles 1 to 3: 500,000 Tomans per person
- Deciles 4 to 7: 350,000 Tomans per person
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility for the fourth phase extends to:
- Households in the first to seventh income deciles.
- Families under the support of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and the State Welfare Organization.
The Ministry of Co-operation, Labour, and Social Welfare is responsible for determining the final list of beneficiaries based on subsidy records. Citizens can check their status and voucher balance through the Ministry’s dedicated website, mobile application, or via the USSD codes #28788 and #1463500.