Citizen Account deposits 3 billion riyals for January support: Details and figures
The Citizen Account Program announced today, Sunday, the deposit of 3 billion riyals allocated for January support payments to beneficiaries whose applications were complete, as part of the program's 98th payment cycle. This payment included a large number of citizens, with more than 9.8 million beneficiaries and dependents meeting the eligibility criteria, reflecting the program's continued vital role as a social safety net.
Details of batch 98 and official figures
In the announcement, Abdullah Al-Hajri, Director General of Communications for the Citizen Account Program, explained that the total amount disbursed by the program to beneficiaries since its inception has exceeded 265 billion Saudi riyals. This substantial sum included approximately 2.8 billion riyals in compensation for previous payments. Statistics also indicated that 72% of eligible beneficiaries received support in this disbursement, with the average support per family reaching 1,474 riyals.
Al-Hajri pointed to the demographic details of the beneficiaries, explaining that the number of heads of households benefiting in this batch exceeded 2 million heads of households, which constitutes 87% of the total main beneficiaries, while the number of dependents reached more than 7.4 million beneficiaries, which confirms the program’s comprehensiveness for various segments of Saudi families.
Economic context and program objectives
This continuous deposit comes within the framework of the Saudi Arabian government's commitment to supporting its citizens, as the Citizen Account Program was established to protect Saudi families from the direct and indirect impact of the various economic reforms that the Kingdom is witnessing within Vision 2030. The program aims mainly to redirect government benefits to eligible groups, ensuring the optimal use of national resources and encouraging rational consumption.
The program was designed to be a comprehensive platform aimed at increasing the efficiency of government support by compensating citizens for any increases in the cost of living resulting from energy price adjustments or the application of value-added tax, thus contributing to maintaining the financial stability of low- and middle-income families.
Social impact and sustainability
The timely disbursement of payments (on the 10th of each month, or the corresponding working day) demonstrates the efficiency of the program's technical and financial systems. This monthly support directly contributes to boosting citizens' purchasing power and alleviating their financial burdens, which positively impacts the local economy. The program's eligibility criteria are subject to periodic reviews to ensure that support reaches those who truly need it, based on total family income, the number of family members, and their ages, thus reinforcing the principles of social justice.
