Fourth Phase of Iran’s Electronic Subsidy Scheme Launched, Reaching Over 60 Million Citizens
Tehran – The fourth phase of Iran’s comprehensive electronic voucher (Kalabarg) scheme commenced this week, marking a significant step in the nation’s ongoing social welfare and economic support initiatives.
Rollout Coincides with Auspicious Occasion
The distribution of credits began on Wednesday, September 10, 2024, a date chosen to coincide with the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This phase of the subsidy program is designed to provide direct support for the purchase of essential goods.
Structured Support for Different Income Groups
The implementation is structured to prioritize citizens based on economic deciles, ensuring targeted and efficient aid distribution.
- Deciles 1 to 3: Heads of households in the first three income deciles received a credit of 5,000,000 Rials per family member starting September 10.
- Deciles 4 to 7: Heads of households in deciles four to seven will receive a credit of 3,500,000 Rials per member, scheduled for distribution starting Saturday, September 21.
All beneficiaries have until the end of the Iranian month of Aban (November 21, 2024) to utilize their allocated credits.
Scope and Design of the Program
This phase of the subsidy scheme is one of the largest of its kind, extending its reach to over 60 million Iranians. The credits are exclusively designated for the purchase of 11 essential food items across three main categories: dairy products, protein sources, and groceries.
The program is designed for flexibility and convenience:
- Beneficiaries can shop according to their needs, with no restrictions on brand or the quantity of a single item purchased.
- Credits can be used in multiple shopping trips; there is no requirement to spend the entire amount at once.
- If the cost of a shopping basket exceeds the allocated credit, the difference can be paid by the purchaser.
- Over 250,000 retail and chain stores across the country are contracted partners in this national scheme.
Official Channels for Information and Safety Advisory
The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare has activated several official channels for beneficiaries to check their credit balance and access details:
- The government’s “Shoma” (You) application, available through domestic app stores.
- SMS notifications from the official sender ID
v.refah. - USSD code
#500*1463#. - Dedicated call center at 021-6369.
The Ministry has also issued a strong advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent SMS messages and online scams. Officials emphasized that legitimate informational messages from v.refah will never contain any links. Citizens are advised to rely solely on the announced official channels for information and to disregard any suspicious communication.
This sustained social welfare effort underscores the government’s commitment to supporting citizens’ livelihoods and ensuring access to essential goods.
