Title: Iran Announces Extension of Fourth Phase of Essential Goods Subsidy Program
In a move to support household livelihoods, the spokesperson for the coupon plan, Marjan Dabiri, has officially announced that the fourth phase of the electronic voucher system has been extended, providing families with continued access to subsidized essential goods.
Spending Deadline and Program Update
Heads of households in the first to seventh income deciles now have until the end of the Iranian month of Aban 1404 (mid-November 2025) to utilize their fourth-phase credit for the purchase of 12 essential items. Reports indicate that as of last week, the allocated credit for over 14.8 million household heads has been fully utilized, demonstrating the program’s active uptake.
Implementation of the Fourth Phase
The rollout of the fourth phase was executed in two stages to ensure an orderly process. The first to third deciles received their credit on the 19th of Shahrivar (September 9), while the fourth to seventh deciles were credited on the 29th of Shahrivar (September 19). The allocation amounts to 500,000 Tomans for the first three deciles and 350,000 Tomans for the subsequent four.
Eligible households can use this credit at 230,000 participating stores to purchase a range of staple goods, including rice, oil, red meat and chicken, dairy products, pasta, legumes, eggs, and sugar. In a recent expansion of the program, turkey meat has been added to the list, with a kilogram priced at approximately 180,000 Tomans.
Officials Dismiss Rumors on Fifth Phase
Recent speculation on social media regarding the launch of a fifth phase in the current month of Mehr (September-October 2024) has been firmly dismissed as a baseless rumor, with no official source confirming such claims. Given the extension of the fourth phase, the initiation of a new phase is not anticipated before the end of Aban. Projections suggest a potential fifth phase could commence in Azar 1404 (November-December 2025), contingent upon the necessary budgetary provisions being secured.
Program Objectives and Benefits
The electronic voucher scheme operates as a complementary initiative to direct cash subsidies, enabling families to purchase essential goods on credit without a direct withdrawal from their bank accounts. The primary goal of this social support program is to bolster the welfare of citizens and ensure the equitable distribution of subsidies. For the current year, the credit is directly allocated to the national identification code of the household head, allowing for flexible purchasing from a wide network of retailers without restrictions on brand or product type.