Citizen Account deposits 3 billion riyals for January payment: Support details
The Citizen Account Program in Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday the deposit of 3 billion Saudi riyals into the bank accounts of beneficiaries as support payments for January. This payment, the 98th in the program's history, covers more than 9.8 million beneficiaries and dependents who met all eligibility criteria.
Details of batch 98 and the announced figures
In an official statement detailing this payment, Abdullah Al-Hajri, Director General of Communications for the Citizen Account Program, revealed significant figures reflecting the scale of the support provided. He explained that the total amount disbursed by the program since its inception until this payment has exceeded 265 billion Saudi riyals, including 2.8 billion riyals in retroactive compensation for previous payments. Al-Hajri noted that 72% of applicants received support in the January payment, with an average support payment of 1,474 riyals per family.
Program background and strategic objectives
This continued deposit reaffirms the Saudi government's commitment to supporting low- and middle-income families. It's worth noting that the Citizen Account Program was launched in December 2017 as a national initiative designed to protect Saudi families from the direct and indirect impacts of various economic reforms, including adjustments to energy and water prices and the implementation of value-added tax (VAT). The program operates on a periodic review system to ensure that support reaches its intended beneficiaries based on precise criteria that include family income, the number of family members, and their ages.
Economic and social impact
The Citizen Account Program is a cornerstone of the Kingdom's social safety net and aligns directly with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the efficiency of government support. This monthly financial injection contributes to boosting citizens' purchasing power and alleviating financial burdens, thereby strengthening the social and economic stability of beneficiary families. The program's continued support for the seventh consecutive year reflects the success of its mechanism and its ability to adapt to economic changes.
Distribution of beneficiaries in the January payment
Returning to the detailed statistics for the current payment cycle, Al-Hajri indicated that the number of heads of households benefiting exceeded 2 million, representing 87% of the total primary beneficiaries, while the number of dependents (wives and children) reached over 7.4 million. These figures confirm the program's comprehensive reach across a broad segment of Saudi society and the commitment of those managing it to ensure the timely disbursement of funds to guarantee that families can utilize them to meet their monthly needs.
