The Citizen Account Program in Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it has deposited 3 billion riyals in support payments for January into the accounts of eligible beneficiaries whose applications were complete. This payment, the 98th in the program's history, included more than 9.8 million beneficiaries and dependents who met all the eligibility criteria.
Details of batch 98 and official figures
In official statements, Abdullah Al-Hajri, Director General of Communications for the Citizen Account Program, provided detailed information about the current payment and the program's history. He noted that the total amount disbursed to beneficiaries since the program's inception has exceeded 265 billion Saudi riyals, a figure reflecting the substantial government support provided to Saudi families. The current payment also included 2.8 billion riyals in compensation for previous payments.
Al-Hajri added that 72% of applicants received support in this disbursement, with an average support payment of 1,474 riyals per family. Regarding the distribution of beneficiaries, the number of heads of households exceeded 2 million, representing 87% of the total, while the number of dependents surpassed 7.4 million.
Economic context and program objectives
This ongoing deposit comes as part of the Saudi government's commitment to protecting families from the direct and indirect effects of various economic reforms, which may place an additional burden on some segments of society. The Citizen Account Program was established in December 2017 as a key pillar of the Fiscal Balance Program within the Kingdom's Vision 2030, with the aim of redirecting government benefits to those who truly deserve them and encouraging the rational consumption of energy and water products.
Social impact and financial stability
The timely disbursement of payments (on the 10th of each month or the corresponding working day) is a strong indicator of the program's stability and operational efficiency. This monthly support directly contributes to enhancing the purchasing power of low- and middle-income families and provides a social safety net that ensures a decent standard of living for citizens amidst global and local economic fluctuations. The program also continuously reviews and updates its data to guarantee that support reaches those who are truly entitled to it with the highest degree of fairness and transparency.
