Title: New Phase of Subsidy Program Launches, Providing Essential Goods Credit for Millions
TEHRAN – The fourth phase of Iran’s electronic commodity subsidy program has commenced, depositing credits for over 60 million citizens to purchase essential goods, as part of the government’s ongoing social support initiatives.
Staged Rollout for Eligible Households
The program, which began its new phase on Wednesday, September 10, 2024, is being implemented in two stages based on income deciles.
- Deciles 1 to 3 (Lowest Income): Heads of households in the first three income deciles are receiving a credit of 500,000 Tomans per family member. The deposit began on September 10.
- Deciles 4 to 7: Households in the fourth to seventh deciles will receive a credit of 350,000 Tomans per member, with deposits starting Saturday, September 20.
All recipients have until the end of the Iranian month of Aban (November 21, 2024) to utilize their credits. The subsidies are designated for the purchase of 11 essential food items across three categories: dairy products, protein sources, and groceries.
Official Channels and Public Awareness
The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare has advised citizens to be vigilant against fraudulent text messages and online scams. Official notifications regarding credit balances and further details are being communicated exclusively through:
- The “Shoma” (You) application.
- SMS from the official sender “v.refah”.
- The USSD code
#500*1463#. - The call center hotline: 021-6369.
Commitment to Social Welfare
The electronic voucher scheme is a key component of the government’s policy to strengthen the livelihood of lower and middle-income families. Officials have confirmed the allocation of resources for this phase.
Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, Head of the Plan and Budget Organization and Vice President, announced that 27 trillion Tomans in resources had been secured and deposited into the account of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare for this phase. This announcement was corroborated by Hassan Norouzi, Head of the Targeted Subsidies Organization, who confirmed that the necessary funds have been fully placed at the ministry’s disposal.
The government continues to explore sustainable and transparent methods to fund such vital social programs, ensuring their long-term viability and effectiveness for the Iranian people.