Citizen Account: Proof of Independent Residence and Reasons for Ineligibility
The Citizen Account Program has reiterated the regulations and procedures required for independent individuals to prove their independent residence, as part of the program's commitment to directing support to those truly eligible and ensuring the accuracy of the data entered. This clarification comes in response to beneficiaries' inquiries regarding the acceptable documents for verifying residence, particularly for individuals without dependents.
Definition of an independent individual and required documents
The program clarified that an independent individual is defined as anyone aged 18 or older who is unmarried and has no dependents, including single men and women, divorced men and women, and widows and widowers. To ensure continued support payments, this category must submit documents proving independent residence. The program specified the following options:
- Title deed coupled with occupancy certificate.
- The title deed along with a recent electricity bill in the beneficiary's name.
- A document proving the existence of a private residence for imams and muezzins.
- A housing permit issued by a military sector.
- Definition of housing from the public or private sector.
- Definition of accommodation from educational institutes and academies.
Program context and national objectives
The Citizen Account Program is a cornerstone of the social protection system launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030. The program was established to protect Saudi families from the direct and indirect impacts of various economic reforms, such as energy price adjustments and the introduction of value-added tax (VAT). Since its launch in December 2017, the program has been working to redirect government benefits to eligible groups, thereby enhancing the efficiency of government spending and ensuring a decent standard of living for citizens with limited and middle incomes.
Mechanism for determining reasons for ineligibility
In a related context, the program revealed the streamlined digital steps that allow beneficiaries to accurately determine the reasons for their "ineligibility" through the official application, thus facilitating corrective action, whether by updating their information or submitting a documented appeal. These steps are as follows:
- Log in to the official Citizen Account application.
- Click on the “Eligibility” icon located at the bottom of the interface.
- Review your current eligibility status and click on the “Details” option.
- Review the ineligibility code and the explanation of the reason attached to it.
The importance and impact of data updates
Updating data and disclosing information transparently are of paramount importance to ensuring the sustainability of financial support. Beneficiaries' commitment to providing accurate documentation, whether related to income or housing, helps reduce the number of objections and expedites monthly audits. This procedure also promotes social justice by ensuring that financial support reaches those most in need, positively impacting the economic stability of beneficiary families across the Kingdom.
