Rewritten Title: New Subsidy Initiative Aims to Enhance Economic Choice and Social Welfare
Article:
In a significant move to bolster economic support for its citizens, senior government officials have detailed the latest developments in the national commodity subsidy program, framing it as a pivotal tool for safeguarding the purchasing power of lower-income families.
A Legacy of Support
Addressing the nation, Ahmad Meydari, the Minister of Cooperation, Labour, and Social Welfare, outlined the historical context of the subsidy program. He noted that such initiatives, dating back to the period of national mobilization, have long been instrumental in ensuring public access to essential goods. The current administration’s primary goal, he stated, is to “preserve the purchasing power of low-income deciles and guarantee people’s access to essential commodities.”
Phased Implementation and Refinement
Ehsan Roustami, Head of the Iranian Information and Welfare Center, provided a detailed account of the program’s evolution. Following numerous pilot schemes since 2014, a new method was introduced in March 2025. This revised approach allocates credit directly to households—500,000 Tomans for the first three income deciles and 350,000 Tomans for the next four—without requiring a co-payment from families.
“This approach,” Roustami emphasized, “has successfully increased household participation rates from 88 percent in the first phase to approximately 95 percent in subsequent phases.” He confirmed that final details of the program, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Plan and Budget Organization, will be announced this week.
Targeted Aid for Child Nutrition
In a parallel effort to strengthen social welfare, Zahra Ghayoumi, Director General of the Support and Empowerment Office at the Welfare Ministry, announced the launch of a new scheme specifically designed to combat child malnutrition. Starting in late 2024, 260,000 children between the ages of 5 and 19 months who are under the ministry’s care will receive a monthly food basket valued at 1.3 million Tomans.
“Families can purchase these essential items through contracted stores using the electronic subsidy platform,” Ghayoumi stated, adding that a basket of 16 essential food items has been provided to covered children since 2023. The support amount was significantly increased in 2024 and has been doubled for 2025.
This comprehensive strategy, which also includes the recently launched “Yasna” program for pregnant women and infants, underscores the government’s sustained focus on refining its social safety net and empowering citizens through direct economic assistance.