Title: Fifth Phase of Iran’s E-Coupon Subsidy Program Finalized, Direct Support for Low-Income Families Imminent
Article:
Subsidy Program Enters Final Stage, Awaits Disbursement
Despite circulating rumors that the fifth phase of Iran’s electronic commodity coupon (E-Coupon) program was deposited on Saturday, December 28, 2024, official reports indicate that no credits have been loaded for eligible recipients as of yet. Beneficiaries continue to await the rollout. However, according to the Ministry of Welfare, Cooperation, and Social Labor, the funding for the fifth phase has been secured, and the program’s implementation is now in its final stages.
Government Aligns with Parliamentary Legislation on Support Model
Detailing the fifth phase, officials clarified that after past deliberations between the government and the parliament regarding the method of support, the government has ultimately complied with the stipulations of the Seventh Development Plan. The model of “direct provision of goods” for the lower-income deciles has been adopted as the basis for execution. An official emphasized that the fifth phase credits will be deposited “today or tomorrow,” with the expectation that allocations for the first to third income deciles will be issued shortly.
The official added that the government initially considered two models: “granting credit” and a “20% discount.” However, the electronic commodity coupon law explicitly states that support must be provided in the form of goods. “The government ultimately complied with the law,” the official stated, “and from today, the first three deciles will be covered under the commodity-based model approved by the parliament.”
Allocation Amounts and Household Credits
Based on announcements from the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare, the allocations per person are as follows:
- First to third income deciles: 500,000 Tomans per person.
- Fourth to seventh income deciles: 350,000 Tomans per person.
The total credit for a household depends on the number of members, as outlined in the table below:
| Number of Household Members | Deciles 1-3 | Deciles 4-7 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | 500,000 T | 350,000 T |
| 2 Persons | 1,000,000 T | 700,000 T |
| 3 Persons | 1,500,000 T | 1,050,000 T |
| 4 Persons | 2,000,000 T | 1,400,000 T |
| 5 Persons | 2,500,000 T | 1,750,000 T |
Officials confirmed that payments for the first to third deciles will be completed within “the next one to two weeks,” after which subsequent phases for higher deciles will commence.
Eligible Essential Goods
The new E-Coupon model, designed based on providing a household’s required “2100 calories,” enables the purchase of essential goods. These include staples such as rice, oil, chicken, eggs, frozen meat, dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), pasta, sugar, legumes, industrial bread, and other protein and grain items. These goods are available through contracted chain stores and some local retailers.
