Conditions for the prisoner's family benefit from insurance: Support starting from 1983 riyals
The General Organization for Social Insurance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced details of the comprehensive procedural guide for the “prisoner’s family benefit,” a step aimed at strengthening the social protection network and ensuring a decent life for the families of Saudi subscribers who face exceptional circumstances as a result of the absence of their breadwinner.
Strengthening the social protection system in the Kingdom
This step comes within the broader context of the Kingdom's efforts to develop its social security and solidarity system. The General Organization for Social Insurance's role extends beyond simply disbursing regular pensions to include coverage for various social risks. Supporting the families of prisoners is a fundamental pillar in preserving family dignity and protecting them from financial hardship, thus contributing to social stability and mitigating the negative repercussions that may befall children and spouses due to the loss of the breadwinner's income.
Details of financial support and eligibility requirements
The foundation clarified that its regulations stipulate a minimum monthly pension of SAR 1,983.75 for eligible families. It has established precise criteria to differentiate between two types of support:
- Continuous monthly pension: It is paid if the imprisoned subscriber has a service balance exceeding 120 months, and has been sentenced to imprisonment or his suspension has continued for three months or more.
- Lump sum compensation (one payment): It is paid if the prisoner’s subscription periods are less than 120 months, provided that the sentence issued against him is for imprisonment for a period of five years or more.
Disbursement mechanism and continuation after release
A key feature of the procedural guide is the flexibility in the timing of payments. Eligibility begins the month following the inmate's imprisonment, or three months after the date of detention for those who have not yet received a final verdict. More importantly, support does not cease upon the prisoner's release but extends for an additional three months. This extension reflects a profound humanitarian and social dimension, giving families and dependents an opportunity to reorganize their financial and social circumstances and facilitating the reintegration of the released individual into society without immediate financial strain.
Digital transformation and streamlining procedures
In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to automate government services, the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) has confirmed that applications for this benefit are now processed entirely digitally through the GOSI platform. The legal representative is required to access the platform and upload the necessary documents, such as a court order or arrest warrant, proof of dependency, and children's school records. The application will then be reviewed and payments disbursed without the need to visit branches, ensuring faster access to support and protecting beneficiaries' privacy.
