Title: Iran Launches Fifth Phase of Electronic Food Subsidy to Support Low-Income Households
Introduction
The fifth phase of Iran’s Electronic Food Subsidy scheme is now officially underway. Following the successful allocation of necessary funds, this initiative aims to provide direct support for the essential food baskets of low and middle-income families. The government has emphasized that this stage is a key measure to bolster the purchasing power of citizens and ensure the swift distribution of credits, particularly in light of recent economic pressures.
Eligible Recipients
In line with official announcements from government and economic managers, all households falling within the first to seventh income deciles are eligible to receive this support.
The targeted groups are categorized as follows:
- Deciles 1-3: Classified as low-income households.
- Deciles 4-7: Classified as lower-middle-income households.
Authorities have confirmed that the distribution of credits commenced with the lowest deciles and will proceed sequentially to cover all seven designated groups. Officials have stressed that the required financial resources for all seven deciles have been fully secured and allocated to the Ministry of Welfare.
Subsidy Amounts
The payment structure for the fifth phase remains consistent with previous cycles. The allocated monthly credit per individual is:
- Deciles 1-3: 500,000 Tomans per person.
- Deciles 4-7: 350,000 Tomans per person.
This credit is designated exclusively for the purchase of government-approved essential goods and is not available for cash withdrawal.
Distribution Timeline
Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, Head of the Planning and Budget Organization, announced that funding for the seven deciles has been secured and transferred to the Ministry of Welfare. Accordingly, the distribution of credits for the fifth phase began on November 11, 2024, starting with the lowest income deciles and progressively extending to the seventh decile.
With the full allocation of resources to the Ministry of Welfare, the deposit process is proceeding without delay. The exact date of credit allocation for each household can be checked through the designated welfare system.
Expanded Basket of Goods
While previous phases included 11 essential items such as rice, oil, dairy, pasta, legumes, sugar, the fifth phase introduces a more diverse and nutritionally rich selection. According to official sources, new items including turkey meat, quail, fish, and shrimp have been added to the list of eligible goods.
How to Check Your Credit
Beneficiaries can check the status of their subsidy credit through the following methods:
- Welfare Ministry Portal: By entering the national ID number of the head of the household on the Ministry of Cooperation, Labour, and Social Welfare’s website.
- Dedicated Application: Using the officially designated application or platform to view remaining credit and locate affiliated stores.
- SMS Service: Heads of households will receive an informational SMS from the sender ‘v.refah’ detailing their remaining credit balance.
- USSD Code: Dialing
*146350#to check the credit balance. - Support Center: For any issues or further inquiries, individuals can contact the support center at 021-6369.
Utilizing the Subsidy
Heads of households can use their credit at registered stores equipped with the specialized Electronic Subsidy system. During purchase, the amount is automatically deducted from the household’s allocated credit. It is recommended that households utilize their credit within the specified time frame to ensure its full benefit.
Key Objectives
The primary goals of this scheme are to mitigate inflationary pressures and enhance access to essential commodities for low-income families. The government has reassured the public that financial resources for this phase are fully secured, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted distribution process.