Stage 4 Subsidy Vouchers Officially Released for Eligible Iranian Families
In a move to further support citizens, the fourth stage of the electronic commodity subsidy voucher program has been officially activated. The credits are now available for use by eligible households across the country.
Rollout Schedule and Eligibility
The initial phase of the rollout commenced on Wednesday, September 10th, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). This first wave is designated for households falling within the first to third income deciles. The subsidy is allocated for the purchase of 11 essential commodity items across three main categories: dairy products, protein sources, and groceries.
For citizens in income deciles 4 through 7, the voucher credits are scheduled to be deposited and activated starting Saturday, September 21st.
Flexible Redemption and Wide Accessibility
Household heads have a flexible redemption window, with the opportunity to make their purchases until the end of the Iranian month of Aban (November 21st). Recipients are not required to use the entire credit allocation in a single transaction and can shop in multiple installments according to their needs.
The program boasts extensive accessibility, with purchases possible at over 250,000 contracted retail and chain stores nationwide. While the vouchers cover a wide range of predetermined essential goods, recipients have the freedom to choose any brand within those categories. There is no restriction on the quantity of a single item purchased; however, if the total cost of selected goods exceeds the allocated voucher credit, the difference must be paid by the purchaser.
Transparency and User Support
To ensure transparency and ease of use, the Ministry of Welfare has established multiple channels for information. Household heads will receive an SMS notification from the official short number (v.refah) informing them of their specific voucher balance. The ministry emphasizes that these messages will only contain the credit amount and will never include any links.
Furthermore, recipients can check their remaining balance at any time by dialing the USSD code #500*1463#. For a more comprehensive experience, the dedicated “Shoma” (You) application is available for download on platforms like “Bazaar” and “Myket.” This app allows users to locate nearby participating stores and monitor their voucher balance.
For any inquiries or required assistance, a dedicated support center is operational and can be reached at 021-6369.
