Reasons for the decrease in Citizen Account support, how to inquire about it, and eligibility requirements
The Citizen Account Program is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation, aiming to protect Saudi families from the direct and indirect impacts of various economic reforms. In a new clarification relevant to millions of beneficiaries, the program revealed the specific factors that could lead to fluctuations or reductions in the monthly support payments deposited into their bank accounts.
Reasons for the lack of support in the Citizen's Account
The program's customer service account on the "X" platform explained that there are three main variables that control the value of the monthly entitlement, and any change in them is directly reflected in the amount received. These variables are:
- Changes in household income: Any increase in the total income of the head of household or a dependent (such as bonuses or a new job) affects the calculation of the support amount.
- Ineligibility of dependents: If a dependent becomes ineligible (due to age, employment status, or marriage), they are excluded from the account, which reduces the total value of support.
- Being outside the Kingdom: If the main beneficiary or one of the dependents is outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for more than 90 days (whether continuous or intermittent) during the previous year, a portion of the support will be deducted in proportion to the number of extra days.
Program context and its economic importance
These clarifications come as part of the program's commitment to transparency and to directing support to those who truly need it most efficiently. It is worth noting that the Citizen Account Program was launched in December 2017 as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, serving as a social safety net to mitigate the effects of energy and water price adjustments and the implementation of value-added tax. The program's regulations are reviewed periodically to ensure it achieves its objectives of supporting low- and middle-income individuals.
How to inquire about the reason for the lack of support
Beneficiaries can check payment details and accurately determine the reasons for the shortage through the following steps:
- Accessing the electronic portal for the Citizen Account Program.
- Go to the (Financial Payments) section in your personal account.
- View the details of the current payment and compare it to the previous one.
- Use the estimated calculator available on the website to confirm the entitlement amount based on current income data and the number of dependents.
Basic eligibility requirements for continued support
To ensure the continued disbursement of support without interruption, the program emphasized the need to meet eligibility requirements, which include:
- Nationality: The main beneficiary must be a Saudi national, with the exception of holders of mobility cards, the spouse of a female citizen and her children, and the wife of a male citizen.
- Permanent residency: Residency within the borders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the beneficiary must not be a prisoner or residing in one of the government shelters.
- Data accuracy: The data disclosed on the electronic portal must match the data of the relevant official authorities.
The program urges beneficiaries to update their data immediately upon any change in their social, employment, or financial status, in order to avoid the suspension or impact of support, and to ensure they receive the full entitlement in accordance with the approved policies.
