Title: New Phase of Subsidy Reforms Opens: Household Separation Requests Now Accepted Online
Tehran – In a significant step to refine the nation’s comprehensive subsidy system, Iranian authorities have announced the opening of online portals for households to request the separation of subsidies for single members over the age of 18. This move is part of the broader, ongoing reforms aimed at optimizing the allocation of state resources.
A New Targeting Mechanism
The core of the new policy, as outlined in the national budget law for the current Iranian year (1404), is a revised income-based criterion. Starting from the month of Mordad (July-August 2024), the primary metric for subsidy eligibility will be a household’s income after the deduction of housing costs. Households with a per capita income exceeding 10 million Tomans will see their direct cash subsidies phased out.
An official from the Iranian Information and Welfare Center confirmed that the subsidy payments for approximately 8 million high-income individuals have already been discontinued this year, with between 1 to 3 million removals occurring monthly.
How to Apply for Subsidy Separation
Heads of households seeking to separate the subsidies of single adult members can now formally submit their requests. The process is designed for convenience and is conducted entirely online through official government platforms. Applicants must first visit the non-attendance services portal of the Subsidy Targeting Organization and then proceed to the National Organization for Civil Registration’s system at ncr.ir to complete the request.
Focus on Economic Justice
Officials have emphasized that these measures are mandated by law to enhance economic justice. The stated goal is to redirect saved funds from the subsidy adjustments towards supporting lower-income deciles through a new “Goods Basket” program, which is scheduled for implementation from the month of Aban (October-November).
“The budget law obligates us to identify high-income households and remove their subsidies,” a senior official stated. “We are committed to completing the process for the top three income deciles, encompassing around 18 million individuals who still receive subsidies, by the end of the year.”
Data-Driven and Transparent Process
The government’s approach relies on the Iranian Welfare Database, established in 2013. This centralized system aggregates non-declaratory, registry-based information on households, including asset data, bank account details, financial turnover, and social status. This data is used to score and categorize households into deciles, from the lowest income (Decile 1) to the highest (Decile 10).
For those who wish to appeal their assigned decile or the removal of their subsidy, a dedicated platform has been set up by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare at hemayat.mcls.gov.ir.
Addressing Common Appeals
In response to frequent appeals, authorities clarified issues concerning assets registered under an individual’s name that may belong to a company or organization. In coordination with the Central Bank, new measures are being implemented to formally separate commercial and personal bank accounts. This will help clarify ownership and ensure that company funds are not mistakenly counted as personal income during the assessment process.