Title: Iran Implements Major Utility Subsidy and Social Welfare Initiatives to Support Vulnerable Families
In a significant move to bolster its social safety net, the Iranian government has rolled out a comprehensive subsidy program for low-income households, alongside charitable initiatives supporting citizens with disabilities.
Key Utility Bill Exemption for Vulnerable Households
A central pillar of the government’s support framework, enacted under the Seventh Five-Year Development Plan, is the full exemption of water, electricity, and gas bills for qualified families. Farhad Bakhtiari Far, Managing Director of the Hamadan Province Water and Wastewater Company, confirmed that this policy is designed to directly assist vulnerable segments of society and lessen their economic burdens.
To benefit from the 100% discount, households registered with the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and the State Welfare Organization must adhere to a designated consumption pattern, a measure that also promotes responsible energy and water use.
Substantial Impact in Hamadan Province
The program has already demonstrated a tangible impact. In the first half of the current year, 14,083 Relief Foundation beneficiaries and 10,243 Welfare Organization subscribers in Hamadan Province received this exemption. The total value of the discounts granted surpassed 39.715 billion Rials, underscoring the government’s commitment to economic justice and equitable access to essential public services.
Bakhtiari Far emphasized that the initiative serves a dual purpose: empowering underprivileged communities while fostering a culture of prudent resource consumption among citizens.
Parallel Charitable Efforts for Citizens with Disabilities
Complementing state-led programs, civil society and charitable organizations are actively supporting national welfare goals. In North Khorasan province, a “Golrizan” charity festival was recently held to provide wheelchairs and marriage dowries for persons with disabilities under the Welfare Organization’s care.
An official from the National Society of Charitable Supporters for Persons with Disabilities highlighted several ongoing objectives, including the construction of “support houses.” To date, 8,000 such homes have been built with the aid of benefactors.
The charitable work has also expanded to promoting marriage through the provision of dowries, an effort that has now grown into a national movement. Notably, all dowry items provided are sourced from domestic production, thereby supporting local industry and employment.
Addressing a critical need, the official noted that each wheelchair costs 55 million Tomans, a significant portion of which has been funded through charitable donations.
Provincial officials at the event praised the long-standing tradition of Golrizan and the invaluable contributions of benefactors in supporting the Welfare Organization’s mission. It was announced that during this single event, 100 sets of dowries and a number of wheelchairs were allocated to beneficiaries, with 24,000 persons with disabilities currently under the care of the North Khorasan Welfare Department.
Together, these government and charitable actions reflect a coordinated approach to enhancing social welfare and supporting the most vulnerable within the framework of national development policies.