Social Security: Enabling 100,000 beneficiaries and eligibility requirements
The social protection sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing radical transformations in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The social security system has shifted from a traditional welfare system focused on direct financial assistance to one of sustainable development and empowerment. This qualitative shift aims to enhance the quality of life and achieve economic independence for the most vulnerable families, thereby contributing to their effective integration into the national economic cycle.
Empowerment Pathways: Figures and Achievements
In this context, the social security empowerment system has made significant strides, successfully transitioning thousands of families from dependency to productivity and employment. Official statistics indicate that the total number of beneficiaries empowered through various programs reached approximately 100,000 by the end of November 2025. These programs included direct employment, economic support for small businesses, and vocational training.
The economic track has enabled more than 95,000 beneficiaries, while more than 83,000 have benefited from specialized training programs and workshops, reflecting the scale of efforts made to provide beneficiaries with the skills needed for the labor market.
System inclusiveness and digital transformation
The expansion wasn't limited to empowerment programs; it extended to new categories not previously covered, such as low-income employees whose income falls below the eligibility threshold, like security guards and others. This was accompanied by a digital revolution through the "Social Support and Protection Platform," which provided fully automated services, including a "Support Calculator" and digital inclusion services for the elderly and people with disabilities. The ministry handles their transactions without requiring them to visit branches, making things easier for them and taking their circumstances into account.
Strategic partnerships to enhance quality of life
To ensure the integration of services, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has established a series of strategic partnerships with the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Among the most prominent of these partnerships are collaborations with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) for employment and with the Social Development Bank for financing productive projects without administrative fees.
The initiatives also included measures to alleviate the cost of living, such as the discounted milk initiative for children in partnership with Almarai Company, exemptions from fees for standardized tests and health specialties, and school transportation fees, in addition to facilitating access to developmental housing. The Ministry further strengthened these efforts by opening seven certified "Hayak" empowerment clinics to serve clients and launching the "Tafreej Kurbah" initiative for urgent intervention in emergency cases.
Eligibility criteria and support controls
The improved system is based on precise criteria to ensure that support reaches those who truly need it, with income being the primary criterion regardless of marital status. The system stipulates that the total family income must be less than the eligibility threshold of 1,320 riyals for the head of household and 660 riyals for each dependent. The system also covers citizens with permanent residency, with humanitarian exceptions including the foreign wife and widow of a Saudi citizen who has children with him, the children of a Saudi widow from a foreign husband, as well as people with disabilities and orphans holding mobility cards.
