Citizen’s Account Program… The Kingdom’s efforts to support its citizens

Since its inception in December 2017, the Citizen’s Account Program has been working to protect Saudi families from the direct, indirect, and expected impact of various economic reforms. This is done by providing cash transfers that are deposited directly in the accounts of the beneficiaries on a monthly basis.

The launch of this program reflects the kingdom’s government’s realization that some families will not be able to bear the burden of reforms on their own, especially those with low incomes. The upcoming new adjustments to the prices of energy and water products will raise the cost of living in general.

Extending support to beneficiaries

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; And based on what was submitted by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, directed continuing the additional support provided to the beneficiaries of the Citizen’s Account Program for an additional three months until the March 2023 batch, in addition to continuing to open registration in the program.

This comes as a continuation of the royal directive issued in July of the year 2022, which included allocating an amount of SAR 20 billion; Of which SAR 8 billion as additional financial support for the beneficiaries of the Citizen’s Account Program for the end of the fiscal year 2022, according to the previously announced controls. Furthermore, the wise leadership directed the reopening of the registration for the Citizen’s Account Program according to the previously announced controls.

Objectives of the Citizen’s Account Program

The Citizen’s Account Program aims to reduce the burdens on the Saudi citizen and provide financial support to low- and middle-income families in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It aims to compensate citizens who may incur any risks due to the economic expansions that the Kingdom is making, as well as to ensure a better life for its citizens and reduce their burdens.

The program also seeks to raise the efficiency of government support. This is done through developing a comprehensive system through which benefits and government support provided to citizens can be directed, instead of direct support for energy products, and delivery of support to those who deserve it, in addition to encouraging the rationalization of consumption of energy and water products.

Specifically, it can be noted that the Kingdom launched the Citizen’s Account Program for the following reasons:

-Reducing the impact of the economic reforms on people with limited and low incomes.

-Achieving a fiscal balance (such as adjusting the prices of energy and water products for the next stages).

-Developing a comprehensive system through which it is possible to raise the efficiency of directing benefits and government support provided to citizens.

-Redistributing support to the actual beneficiaries; By disbursing cash allowances to eligible families through bank transfers.

-Encouraging and motivating citizens and families to rationally consume energy and water products.

How do you benefit from the program?

In order to register and benefit from the program, the following information and documents must be submitted:

• National identity and family card.
• Information about work and salary.
• Additional income information in State Benefits.
• Disclosure of the wife’s income, if any.
• The bank account number “IBAN”, and the account must be active.
• A status card for each of the unemployed, the government employee, and the private sector.
• The salary mustn’t exceed twenty thousand riyals.
• What do you benefit from the “citizen’s account”?
• The benefits of registering for the citizen’s account program are as follows:
• Every family whose monthly income is less than SAR 20,160 is eligible for support.
• 100% compensation for low-income earners at SAR 1,200 per month.
• 75% compensation for middle-income earners at SAR 1,000 per month.
• 50% compensation for above-average income earners at SAR 600 per month.
• Who is entitled to benefit from the program?
• The unmarried Saudi.
• Saudi family.
• Holders of a mobility card in the Kingdom.
• Saudi family married to a foreigner.
• The wife of a Saudi citizen.