Title: Fourth Phase of Electronic Subsidy Vouchers Rolled Out to Support Households
The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare has announced the disbursement schedule for the fourth phase of the Electronic Subsidy Voucher (کالابرگ الکترونیک), a significant social support initiative.
Rollout Schedule and Key Deadlines
Credit for the voucher’s fourth phase will be deposited into the accounts of eligible heads of households in income deciles 1 to 3 starting Wednesday, September 10, 2024. These recipients will have until the end of Aban (November 21, 2024) to utilize their credit for purchases.
For households in income deciles 4 to 7, the credit will be deposited starting Saturday, September 21, 2024. They are also given a deadline until the end of Aban to complete their shopping using the subsidy.
Program Details and Flexibility
The voucher credit is designated for the purchase of 11 essential items across three main product groups: dairy products, proteins, and groceries. The program is designed with significant flexibility for beneficiaries:
- Recipients can purchase the designated goods according to their specific needs.
- There are no restrictions on the quantity or brand of goods purchased. If a purchase exceeds the allocated credit ceiling, the beneficiary pays the difference.
- Purchases can be made in multiple installments; there is no requirement to use the entire credit at once.
Widespread National Participation
The scale of the program is substantial, with over 60 million citizens covered in this fourth phase. More than 250,000 retail and chain stores are contracted partners participating in the scheme.
To facilitate easy access, beneficiaries can use the “Shoma” (You) application, available on platforms like “Bazaar” and “Myket,” to locate participating stores and check their remaining credit balance. Notifications of credit deposits will be sent via SMS from the official short number v.refah. The ministry emphasizes that these messages will only contain the credit amount and will not include any links, urging citizens to remain vigilant against internet fraud.
Parliamentary Backing and Focus on Implementation
The program operates under legal mandates approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis). Jabar Kouchakinejad, a member of the Parliament’s Plan and Budget Committee, underscored the importance of the initiative, stating it is a crucial tool for strengthening household purchasing power and supporting lower-income deciles.
He affirmed that, based on parliamentary legislation within annual budget laws, the government is obligated to execute this plan without delay. Mr. Kouchakinejad also acknowledged ongoing efforts to refine the decile classification system and complete the Iranian Welfare Database to ensure the fair and just distribution of subsidies, preventing deserving households from being excluded from their legal rights. He confirmed that the Parliament will oversee the complete and timely implementation of this legal duty.