Title: Iran Announces Five-Phase Subsidy Disbursement Plan, Vowing Uninterrupted Support Through Year-End
In a move underscoring its commitment to social welfare, the Iranian government has detailed a structured, five-phase schedule for the disbursement of cash subsidies, ensuring regular monthly payments will continue uninterrupted until the end of the current Iranian year (March 2025).
Structured Payments for Household Support
The Head of the Plan and Budget Organization, Hamid Pourmohammadi, announced the decision following a cabinet meeting. He confirmed that the government is firmly committed to the regular payment of subsidies, a key component of its social support framework. This guarantees five distinct payment phases through the remainder of the year.
This structured approach is designed to provide greater stability for households amidst recent economic fluctuations. Pourmohammadi emphasized that the decision was made to bolster household livelihoods and create more predictability in government support payments.
November Payment Schedule and Amounts
The subsidy payment for the current month of Aban will be distributed in two tranches to ensure efficiency:
- First to Third Income Deciles: Payments of 400,000 Tomans will be deposited on November 15.
- Fourth to Ninth Income Deciles: Payments of 300,000 Tomans will be deposited on November 20.
This payment structure, part of the “Subsidy Popularization” program initiated in 2022, directs higher support to lower-income families, while the tenth and highest income decile is no longer part of the subsidy program.
Future Focus: Streamlined Support and Fiscal Discipline
Looking ahead, Pourmohammadi stated that provisions for the continuation of the support program have been included in the draft budget for the next Iranian year (starting March 2025), though the method of payment may see minor adjustments.
He also outlined a strategic shift for future support initiatives, indicating a move towards focusing on essential goods. “In upcoming support plans, the variety of subsidized goods will be reduced so that financial resources can be concentrated on the primary needs of low-income households,” he explained.
The official further highlighted the government’s adherence to fiscal discipline as a cornerstone policy this year. He reported that despite economic pressures, the government has seamlessly met all essential financial obligations, including employee and pensioner salaries, alongside the cash subsidies. Notably, he pointed out that government expenditures to date have been approximately 27 percent below the legal budget ceiling, an approach that he stated frees up more resources to be directed toward vital livelihood support.