Does obtaining a freelance work certificate affect the Citizen's Account support?
The Citizen Account Program has definitively clarified the impact of obtaining a self-employment certificate on eligibility for support provided to beneficiaries, emphasizing that simply possessing the certificate does not, in itself, affect eligibility. However, the program stressed that the fundamental principle governing continued support is the accurate disclosure of any additional income generated from this work. The determining factor is not the certificate itself, but rather the actual income that must be added to the income sources when updating data to ensure the correct calculation of the benefit amount.
General context: Supporting economic empowerment and social protection
This clarification comes as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts, within the framework of Vision 2030, to promote new work models and encourage citizens to participate in the gig economy. The Freelance Work Platform was launched as an official umbrella, granting individuals the opportunity to work independently in over 140 approved professions, providing them with legal protection and numerous benefits. Meanwhile, the Citizen Account Program, launched in December 2017, represents a social safety net aimed at protecting Saudi families from the direct and indirect effects of economic reforms and directing government support to those most in need.
The importance and impact of income disclosure
The importance of disclosing income from self-employment lies in ensuring the fair distribution of support and that it reaches those who truly deserve it. The Citizen Account program relies on a precise formula that takes into account the total family income, the number of family members, and their ages. Any change in these factors, such as the addition of new income, directly affects the amount of support due. To make things easier for beneficiaries, the program provides an "estimated calculator" on its website, a tool that allows users to enter their updated data to determine the estimated amount of support they will receive.
Retrospective compensation cases: Guaranteeing the rights of beneficiaries
The Citizen Account Program confirmed the existence of mechanisms to guarantee the rights of beneficiaries, including retroactive compensation in specific cases, which are:
- In financial objections: If the beneficiary submits an objection to the amount of the financial payment and it is accepted, he is compensated for the financial difference retroactively.
- Regarding eligibility appeals: If an appeal against ineligibility is submitted and accepted, the beneficiary will be included in the next eligibility cycle. Reimbursement for previous payments is subject to individual case review according to program regulations and may be disbursed retroactively upon approval.
Steps to easily update your bank account
To ensure uninterrupted support, the program allows beneficiaries to easily update or change their bank account details through the following steps:
- Log in to the Citizen Account electronic portal or application.
- Go to the “Beneficiary File” section.
- Select “Bank Account”.
- Enter the new IBAN number for the bank account.
- Click “Save” to confirm the change.
