Title: New Income Criteria Announced for Subsidy Eligibility, Government Prioritizes Low-Income Households
In a move to refine its social support system, the Iranian government has detailed the new income criteria that will determine eligibility for state subsidies. The announcement, made by Ahmad Meydari, the Minister of Cooperation, Labour, and Social Welfare, during a public session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, underscores the administration’s commitment to a more targeted and transparent welfare approach.
Defining the Income Thresholds
Minister Meydari clarified the specific financial brackets that would place households in the upper income deciles, making them ineligible for subsidies. According to the new framework, a family that owns a home in Tehran and has a monthly income of 30 million Tomans will be classified among the top three deciles. For a three-member tenant family, the income threshold for the eighth decile rises to 42 million Tomans per month.
Electronic Vouchers and Public Satisfaction
The report highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable segments of society through the electronic voucher (Kalabarg) system. Minister Meydari stated that since March 2024, three rounds of these vouchers have been distributed, with their real value being more than 1.5 times higher than in the previous three years. He cited a parliamentary research center survey indicating that over 85% of the program’s beneficiaries expressed complete or relative satisfaction with the government’s performance.
Implementing Parliamentary Mandate
Emphasizing that the government is acting in accordance with the law, Meydari explained that the removal of certain recipients is based on a mandate from the parliament. The legislation required the removal of approximately 27 million individuals from the subsidy list. To date, 7 million have been removed, while 75 million citizens continue to receive support. The minister framed the existence of objections as a natural part of a robust and progressive identification process.
A Transparent and Accountable System
A key feature of the new system is its emphasis on transparency. The minister announced the launch of a dedicated online platform where individuals can enter their national identification code to see the specific reasons for any change in their subsidy status. He assured that the criteria are publicly available and that exceptions are made for specific groups, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those with special diseases, who are shielded from removal.
Data-Driven Decisions and Objection Procedures
The income decile classification is the result of a comprehensive data analysis from various national sources, including banks, insurance companies, the stock market, and law enforcement. Meydari affirmed that for those who wish to appeal their classification, precise information would be gathered from authoritative sources like the Central Bank to ensure a fair review.
Progress in Streamlining the Process
Comparing the current administration’s performance with previous years, the minister noted a significant reduction in objections. While past subsidy removal phases saw objections from half of the affected individuals, the current phase has seen a markedly lower rate, starting at just 5% for the first four million removed. This, he stated, points to a more accurate and publicly accepted implementation of the policy.