Title: Government Support Initiative: Fourth Phase of Electronic Subsidy Scheme Launched for Eligible Families
In a significant move to bolster social welfare, the Ministry of Cooperation, Labour, and Social Welfare has announced the commencement of the fourth phase of the electronic subsidy scheme. This initiative, designed to provide essential support to low-income households, will be distributed according to a new schedule, ensuring efficient and targeted aid.
A New Schedule for Disbursement
The rollout of credit for the electronic subsidy, known as Kalaberg, will be conducted in two stages to ensure an orderly process:
- For the first to third income deciles: Credit will begin to be deposited into household accounts starting Wednesday, September 10.
- For the fourth to seventh income deciles: Funds for these eligible families will be transferred on Saturday, September 20.
Key Features of the Electronic Subsidy Program
This phase of the program continues to offer significant flexibility and ease of use for beneficiaries:
- Freedom of Choice: Recipients can freely purchase from 11 categories of essential goods based on their specific needs, with no restrictions on quantity or brand.
- Multi-Stage Purchases: There is no requirement to use the entire credit allotment at once. Families can make purchases in multiple stages throughout the validity period.
- Nationwide Accessibility: The scheme is accepted at a vast network of over 250,000 contracted stores across the country, ensuring wide availability of goods.
How to Check Your Credit Balance
The Ministry has provided several secure and convenient methods for beneficiaries to access information about their subsidy balance:
- Official SMS: A text message from the official shortcode v.refah will be sent, indicating the available credit amount. This message will contain no links. Recipients are advised to be vigilant against fraudulent messages.
- USSD Code: By dialing the code *#5001463#**, families can instantly inquire about their remaining balance.
- Dedicated Application: For locating nearby stores and checking credit, beneficiaries can download and install the “Shoma” (You) application from reputable app stores such as “Bazaar” and “Myket.”
- Carry-Over Credit: Any remaining credit from previous phases of the program will remain valid and can be used during this new phase.
This ongoing program underscores the government’s commitment to implementing effective social support systems and providing tangible assistance to citizens, facilitating access to essential commodities for eligible families across the nation.
Source: Adapted from Intitar
