The impact of the freelance work document on the citizen's account and compensation
The Citizen Account Program has resolved the debate among beneficiaries regarding the impact of obtaining a "freelance work permit" on their monthly support payments. This clarification comes as part of the program's ongoing engagement with citizens' inquiries through the "X" platform. It also comes at a time when young people and productive families in Saudi Arabia are increasingly seeking freelance work permits to formalize their professional status and benefit from government incentives.
Does the self-employment document stop the Citizen's Account support?
The program categorically affirmed that simply obtaining a self-employment certificate does not negatively affect a beneficiary's eligibility or discontinue their support. However, the program stipulated a crucial condition for continued support: the disclosure of any additional income generated from this self-employment. The program clarified that the determining factor is not possessing the certificate, but rather the amount of income generated from it, as the total household income must not exceed the eligibility threshold. Beneficiaries can use the "estimated calculator" available on the online portal to accurately determine their entitlement based on their updated financial information.
Economic context and the importance of disclosure
This clarification reinforces the integration of government programs within the framework of Vision 2030. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development encourages self-employment to increase individual income, while the Citizen Account program serves as a social safety net to protect families from the direct and indirect effects of economic reforms. Therefore, transparency in income disclosure ensures that support reaches its intended beneficiaries and protects them from any legal repercussions or the need to recover funds disbursed improperly in the future.
Details of retroactive compensation
In a related context, the program addressed the mechanism for retroactively compensating beneficiaries, clarifying the differences between financial objections and eligibility objections:
- Financial objections: Compensation is paid retroactively to beneficiaries whose financial objections have been accepted and whose right to incomplete amounts that were not previously paid to them has been established.
- Eligibility objections: The program clarified that accepting an objection to eligibility means the beneficiary will return to the disbursement lists in the next cycle, and this does not necessarily require compensation for past months, unless the case study proves eligibility according to the program’s strict controls.
Steps to modify a bank account
To make it easier for beneficiaries wishing to change their bank accounts to ensure the deposit of support without difficulty, the program reviewed the simple technical steps via the application:
- Log in to the Citizen Account application and go to "Beneficiary File".
- Click on the "Bank Account" icon.
- Enter the new IBAN number and make sure it is correct, then press "Save".
It is worth noting that the Citizen Account Program continues its pivotal role in providing direct cash support to millions of Saudi families, with periodic reviews of support controls to ensure the efficiency of spending and its direction to the most needy groups in society.
