Fifth Voucher Stage: New Timeline and Implementation Models Announced
A Shift in Schedule
The implementation of the fifth phase of Iran’s Electronic Voucher Scheme, initially projected for the Persian month of Aban, has been officially postponed. While the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, had earlier emphasized that the new phase must be launched within Aban, recent statements from the Head of the Iranian Information and Welfare Center indicate a delay of at least one more week.
Funding and Final Coordination
The primary reason cited for the postponement relates to budget allocation. Officials have clarified that executing each phase of the electronic voucher plan requires 25 ‘Hamlets’ of credit. To date, the Plan and Budget Organization has secured only 5 of these required units. According to the Head of the Information and Welfare Center, the scheme will be rolled out progressively throughout the month, based on income deciles. The Plan and Budget Organization still has the opportunity to secure the necessary remaining funds.
When pressed for a specific date during a televised interview, the official stated that the final decision regarding the launch will be determined next week. Consequently, the most probable timeframe for the rollout of the fifth voucher stage is now the second week of the Persian month of Azar.
New Proposed Models for Implementation
The Ministry of Labor has announced it is considering changes to the execution model of the voucher scheme. Two primary models are under final review:
- Direct Credit Model: Under this model, the first to third income deciles would receive 500,000 Tomans, while the fourth to seventh deciles would be allocated 350,000 Tomans.
- Discounted Purchase Model: This alternative would enable eligible families to purchase essential goods from 12,000 designated stores at official prices, with a minimum discount of 20 percent.
The final decision between these two options is expected following a key coordination meeting scheduled for next week.
Current Voucher Status
It is important to note that the credit from the fourth voucher phase remains valid until the end of Aban. Households can continue to use their existing balance to purchase essential items such as rice, oil, chicken, dairy products, eggs, and pasta. Heads of households can check their remaining credit via the USSD code *5001463# or through the “Shoma” application.