New Government Support Package Aims to Bolster Low-Income Households
In a significant move to alleviate economic pressures on its most vulnerable citizens, the Iranian government has announced a comprehensive new support package. This initiative is designed to strengthen purchasing power and provide targeted relief for lower-income deciles of society amidst global economic challenges.
Details of the New Livelihood Package
According to informed sources within the government, the package comprises a strategic mix of direct cash assistance and electronic commodity vouchers. The program is meticulously designed to focus on the first to fifth income deciles, with the primary goals of reducing economic inequality and improving the living standards of low-income families.
Eligibility and Allocation
The Ministry of Cooperation, Labour, and Social Welfare has outlined that eligibility for the new package will extend to several key groups:
- Households receiving support from the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and the State Welfare Organization.
- Families identified within the first to fifth income deciles according to the Iranian Welfare Database.
- Workers and pensioners with incomes below the official minimum wage set by the Supreme Labour Council.
- Female-headed households and individuals with severe disabilities.
The amount of support allocated to each household will be variable, calibrated according to family size and income level to ensure fairness and impact.
Implementation Timeline and Funding
Mr. Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, Vice President and Head of the Planning and Budget Organization, confirmed that the financial resources for this plan have been secured through budgetary savings and the reallocation of subsidies.
“The first phase of this support package will be deposited into the accounts of eligible recipients by the end of the Iranian month of Shahrivar 1404 (late September 2025),” Pourmohammadi stated. The allocation system is designed to allow families to utilize their bank cards or electronic vouchers to purchase essential goods directly.
A Targeted and Multi-Faceted Approach
Economic experts point to several distinguishing features of this package:
- Precise Targeting: Unlike universal subsidies, this program is specifically engineered for identified vulnerable groups.
- Dual Modality: The combination of cash and non-cash assistance provides flexibility while ensuring access to essential goods.
- Enhanced Database: The use of the updated Iranian Welfare Database allows for more accurate identification of needy households.
- Spending Flexibility: Families will have the ability to use their credits for a wider variety of essential purchases.
Part of a Broader Economic Strategy
The announcement underscores the government’s continued prioritization of citizen welfare. Pourmohammadi highlighted that the state has allocated a significant volume of preferential foreign exchange—approximately $12 billion at a rate of 28,500 tomans—to ensure the stable supply of essential commodities and curb market volatility.
Furthermore, the Vice President revealed that the Planning and Budget Organization is developing an even more targeted scheme focused on four critical pillars: Nutrition, Health, Education, and Housing. This program will utilize precise verification methods and data from the Iranian Welfare Database to identify and support an estimated 7.5 million citizens in need.
These measures are presented as integral components of the government’s coordinated and ongoing efforts to achieve social justice and provide sustained support for vulnerable segments of society.
