Introduction to the Citizen Account Program and its objectives
The Citizen Account Program is one of the most important government support programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Launched in December 2017 as part of the comprehensive economic reform plans under Vision 2030, the program primarily aims to protect low- and middle-income Saudi families from the direct and indirect effects of economic reforms, such as adjustments to energy and water prices and the implementation of value-added tax (VAT). The program works to redirect government support to reach those most in need, thereby enhancing spending efficiency and ensuring social justice.
With each monthly payment, some beneficiaries may notice a change in the amount of support received, often a decrease. The program has explained through its official channels that there are specific reasons for this change, emphasizing the importance of regularly updating data to ensure the continuity and accuracy of the support.
3 main reasons that may lead to a decrease in Citizen Account support
The Citizen Account Program clarified via its official account on the “X” platform that there are three main factors that may affect the value of the support allocated to beneficiaries, leading to a decrease in it. These reasons are:
- An increase in total household income: This is the most influential factor. The amount of support is inversely proportional to the total monthly income of the household (primary beneficiary and dependents). Any increase in income, whether due to a bonus, a new job for a family member, or starting a business, must be disclosed. The system automatically recalculates the benefit amount based on the new income, which may result in a decrease in the support amount.
- Ineligibility of a dependent: The eligibility status of a dependent listed in the head of household's account may change, affecting the family structure approved by the program. For example, if a son turns 24 and is no longer a student, or obtains a job with independent income, or if a daughter marries, their eligibility as a dependent changes, and consequently, the total support amount for the family is adjusted.
- The beneficiary or a dependent residing outside the Kingdom: The Citizen Account Program requires permanent residency within the Kingdom to benefit from the support. If the primary beneficiary or any of their dependents travels outside the Kingdom for more than 90 days during the past 12 months, whether continuously or intermittently, they will be excluded from the support calculation, resulting in a reduction of the amount due to the family.
How to inquire about the reason for the lack of support
To ensure complete transparency for beneficiaries, the program has provided easy ways to inquire about payment details and understand the reason for any change in the support amount. Beneficiaries can follow these steps:
- Accessing the electronic portal for the Citizen Account Program.
- Log in using your national ID number and password.
- From the main menu, select “Financial Payments”.
- The history of previous payments will be displayed, and the beneficiary can click on a specific payment to see its details and the reasons for any decrease in its value.
Beneficiaries can also use the “estimate calculator” available on the program’s website to check the expected support amount after entering updated data on income, number of family members and their ages.
The economic and social importance of the Citizen Account program
The Citizen Account Program plays a pivotal role in achieving social and economic stability in the Kingdom. Domestically, the program has helped alleviate the financial burdens on millions of families, increased their purchasing power, and stimulated domestic consumption. It also represents a qualitative shift in government support policies, moving from blanket subsidies for goods and services to targeted cash transfers, which is considered more efficient and equitable. Regionally, the Saudi experience with the Citizen Account Program is viewed as a pioneering model that can be utilized by countries seeking to implement similar economic reforms while maintaining a social safety net for their citizens.
