The importance of data accuracy in the Citizen Account and how to correct it
The Citizen Account Program is one of the most important government support programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to protect Saudi families from the direct and indirect effects of economic reforms. The program relies primarily on the accuracy of the data provided by beneficiaries, especially income disclosure. Some beneficiaries may inadvertently provide inaccurate information, which could affect their eligibility or the amount of support they receive. Fortunately, the program provides a simple and clear mechanism for correcting this data to ensure that support reaches those who are truly entitled to it.
The general context of the Citizen Account Program and Vision 2030
The Citizen Account Program was launched in December 2017 as part of the comprehensive economic transformation plan under the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Its primary objective is to redirect government support to reach the most deserving segments of society directly, mitigating the economic burdens resulting from adjustments to energy, water, and electricity prices, as well as other structural reforms. The program aims to achieve fiscal balance and enhance the efficiency of government spending, while ensuring a social safety net for eligible citizens.
Why is accurate income disclosure necessary?
Accurately disclosing a family's income sources is the cornerstone of determining eligibility and the amount of monthly financial support. The system calculates support based on a formula that considers the family's total income, the number of family members, and their ages. Any change in this data, whether an increase or decrease, directly affects the amount due. Incorrect disclosure, even unintentionally, may lead to the temporary suspension or even termination of support, in addition to a claim for the recovery of any amounts disbursed improperly. Therefore, it is the head of the household's responsibility to update the data regularly to ensure continued eligibility in future eligibility cycles.
Steps to modify income disclosure in the Citizen Account
The Citizen Account Program clarified that the process of modifying income data is done electronically through the program's official portal in two simple steps, whether for the main beneficiary or one of the dependents:
- To modify the main beneficiary's income: Log in to your personal account, then go to "Beneficiary Profile", select "General Data", then modify the income data and enter the correct value, and finally click "Save Data".
- To modify the income of a dependent: Access the “Beneficiary File”, then select “Dependents’ Data”, identify the dependent whose income you want to modify, make the necessary modification, and then “Save Data”.
Common reasons for changes in the support amount
Beneficiaries may notice a change in the support amount from month to month, due to several reasons related to the recorded data, most notably:
- Change in total household income: Any increase in salary or acquisition of a new source of income must be disclosed.
- Change in the data of a dependent: such as a child reaching a certain age or not renewing their eligibility.
- The beneficiary or one of his dependents being outside the Kingdom: If the period of residence outside the Kingdom exceeded 90 days during the past year, the support may be affected.
To find out the details of the payment and the reason for any shortage, the beneficiary can check the “Financial Payments” section in his account. The “Estimate Calculator” available on the program’s website can also be used to check the expected value of the support after any changes.
