Iran Launches ‘Simin’ Platform to Streamline Subsidy Management and Citizen Services
In a significant step to modernize its social welfare system, Iran’s Subsidy Targeting Organization has announced the launch of a new, integrated digital platform named ‘Simin’. This system is designed to provide citizens with a streamlined, online method for managing their cash and non-cash subsidies, marking a pivotal move in the country’s digital transformation of public services.
A Unified Digital Gateway
The ‘Simin’ platform was developed to centralize and simplify previously complex and in-person bureaucratic processes. Its introduction follows the strategic transfer of the national subsidy database from the Ministry of Cooperatives to the Civil Registration Organization. This consolidation aims to reduce errors, enhance transparency, and ensure a more equitable distribution of subsidies.
Households that have recently appointed a new head or encountered issues, such as not receiving their subsidy for the current month, have been notified via SMS and are encouraged to use the new system.
Key Services at a Glance
The platform offers a suite of user-centric services, accessible after authentication with a national ID code and a one-time password. Its core functionalities include:
- Bank Account Registration/Modification: Users can securely register or change their Shaba bank account number. The process is validated by the Central Bank to ensure subsidies are deposited directly into the account of the household’s head.
- Real-Time Household Data Updates: Through a direct link to the Civil Registration Organization, citizens can instantly view and amend family information to reflect life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or deaths.
- Electronic Voucher Requests: In line with the national budget law, users now have the option to convert a portion of their cash subsidy into electronic vouchers for the purchase of essential goods.
- Subsidy Details Portal: A transparent overview allows users to track payment dates, detailed breakdowns of base and incentive amounts, account status, and a full history of changes.
A Broader Vision for Welfare Management
‘Alireza Mousavi Delkhosh’, Head of the Information Technology Center at the Subsidy Targeting Organization, emphasized that ‘Simin’ represents a major leap in the digital evolution of welfare services.
“This platform enhances citizen satisfaction by reducing in-person visits, increasing transparency, and improving operational efficiency,” he stated. “Soon, ‘Simin’ will evolve into the central hub for managing all cash and non-cash subsidies, including support for medicine, guaranteed wheat purchases, and fuel.”
How to Access
Citizens can review their subsidy status or submit requests directly through the ‘Simin’ online portal. For technical support, dedicated helpline numbers have been published by the Organization.