Minister of Community Development, Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, confirmed that applications for inflation allowances will begin yesterday for those who meet the conditions, while the new social assistance program will begin implementation next September, in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, to restructure the integrated social support program.
She added that the restructuring reinforces the vision of the UAE leadership for the country to be one of the best countries in empowering all segments of society, and supporting and providing the best quality of life for citizens in the country.
Buhumaid stated that “the social support programme will include a larger number of families, and the aim is to translate the vision of our leadership to provide the best quality of life for citizens.”
She pointed out that “the programme is an important pivotal step in the social work sector, confirming the UAE’s determination to continue launching major government initiatives with the aim of enhancing the quality of life of the nation’s citizens, especially among low-income groups,” adding that the Ministry of Community Development has begun working to provide support to those eligible throughout the country, in coordination with relevant authorities.
In detail, the Ministry of Community Development stated that the total value of the social support program for low-income people in the United Arab Emirates amounts to 28 billion dirhams, as the value of annual social support was raised from 2.7 billion to five billion dirhams annually.
The support programme is fully covered by the ministry, and includes three main axes to support Emirati families with limited income, including new support allocations, increased allowances, and the creation of allowances for inflation and basic needs, such as food, water, electricity and fuel.
She confirmed that the disbursement of allowances will begin next September, explaining that “social assistance will be in the form of financial amounts disbursed to eligible people with limited income according to the terms and conditions, and that the eligibility conditions are determined according to the social status.”
The Minister revealed that the categories of those eligible for social assistance include families in which the breadwinner is 25 years old or older, is working, and the family has an income less than the value of the assistance allocated for the number of family members, and a retiree who supports a family and the family income is less than the value of the assistance allocated for the number of family members, in accordance with the terms and conditions.
Social assistance is also due to senior citizens, the physically disabled, people with disabilities who do not have an income exceeding the value of the assistance allocated for the number of family members, families of prisoners, orphans, and people of unknown parentage who do not have an income exceeding the value of the allocated assistance.
Widows who have a son/sons with disabilities and whose total income is less than the assistance allocated for the number of family members are also eligible for assistance, as are divorced women who have a son/sons with disabilities and whose total income is less than the assistance allocated for the number of family members, widows in the waiting period and whose total income is less than the value of the assistance allocated for the number of family members, and any person who is not working and has reached the age of 45 and does not have an income exceeding the value of the assistance.
Social assistance value
The Ministry explained that the value of social assistance is calculated according to the number of family members and their eligibility for allowances, and varies from one family to another according to social conditions.
The primary beneficiary will receive 5,000 dirhams, the wife will receive an allowance of 3,500 dirhams, the first son will receive 2,400 dirhams, the second and third sons will receive 1,600 dirhams, and the fourth son and the one who follows him will receive 800 dirhams.
The allowance for children enrolled in university studies will be raised to 3,200 dirhams for outstanding students enrolled in specific universities.
A housing allowance is added, which reaches a maximum of 2,500 dirhams if the allowance conditions are met, and an experience allowance is added for the working and retired head of the family in the amount of 2,000 dirhams to the basic amount every 10 years until the basic amount reaches 13,000 dirhams per month.
The primary beneficiary, who is 45 years old and unemployed, receives conditional social assistance of 2,000 dirhams, which increases by 1,000 dirhams every five years, reaching 5,000 dirhams upon reaching the age of 60. His wife receives a wife’s allowance of 1,000 dirhams, reaching 3,500 dirhams upon the husband reaching the age of 60.
The primary beneficiary, the job seeker, also receives temporary social assistance for six months in the amount of 5,000 dirhams, and the rest of the allowances related to the wife and children apply to him.
The Ministry of Community Development stated that the beneficiaries of electricity and water support will be provided through coordination with the relevant authorities, so that a monthly support of 50% will be provided for electricity consumption of less than 4,000 kilowatts, and a monthly support for water of 50% for water consumption of less than 26,000 gallons.
It confirmed that registration for electricity and water support applications will be open, starting yesterday, through its website.
This support is for families in which one or both members (husband or wife) are working and their total income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month. This is done by calculating monthly salaries, retirement pensions, commercial license revenues, rental property revenues, and income from invested real estate.
Electricity and water support is also due to retirees who have children under the age of 21 who are unmarried, unemployed, and whose total income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month (changes in family income and changes in marital status must be reported to the Ministry).
Fuel support
The Ministry of Community Development stated that fuel support for some segments of society with limited income will be provided if fuel prices rise above 2.1 dirhams/liter, as the support amount will be calculated according to monthly fuel prices.
The government will provide monthly support of 85% of the fuel value in this case, and the value of the support may vary depending on the case, as the employed head of the household is entitled to support of 300 liters, while the working wife receives an additional 200 liters.
The employed breadwinner, whether husband or wife, receives support of 300 liters, if one of them does not receive support (retired or unemployed).
In addition, the pensioner, whether husband or wife, receives support of 300 liters if he or she has children under the age of 21, who are not working and unmarried and one of them does not receive support (retired or not working).
(The fuel support request will be approved in the ADNOC Distribution smart application and will be linked to the ID number).
Support is disbursed to families with an income of less than 25 thousand dirhams, and who have working members.
Families in which one or both members (husband or wife) work, and whose combined income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month, are eligible for support.
It also includes retirees who have children under the age of 21, are unmarried and unemployed, and whose total income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month.
This is done by calculating monthly salaries, pensions, commercial license revenues, rental property revenues, and income from invested real estate.
Food allowance
The ministry explained that food subsidies will be paid at a rate of 75% of the inflation rate of basic food prices. The value of the subsidy is linked to changes in inflation rates for basic food products, and the subsidy increases with the increase in inflation.
The family will be supported through the main beneficiary (applicant). The food allowance can be used through the outlets selling goods and food items approved for this initiative, which will be announced in the coming period.
Support is disbursed to families with an income of less than 25 thousand dirhams, and who have working members.
Families in which one or both members (husband or wife) work, and whose combined income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month, are eligible for support.
It also includes retirees who have children under the age of 21, are unmarried and unemployed, and whose total income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month.
This is done by calculating monthly salaries, pensions, commercial license revenues, rental property revenues, and income from invested real estate.
Mechanism for applying for support and assistance
The Ministry of Community Development stated that the mechanism for submitting a request for social assistance and inquiries related to support will be through the Ministry’s website and smart application (www.mocd.gov.ae), and registering using the digital identity or the Emirates ID.
Social Support Program:
■ It targets Emirati families and low-income earners whose income is less than 25 thousand dirhams per month, depending on their social status.
■ It aims to support the formation of Emirati families, encourages continued education, and rewards experienced citizens for their contributions to the country.
■ It takes into account increases in inflation rates and keeps pace with economic changes.
■ He added allowances and privileges to the value of social assistance that supports family stability, such as the housing allowance and the university education allowance for high achievers.
■ Mobilizes more incentives, programs and initiatives in cooperation and partnership with the parties concerned with social affairs, and integrates efforts with local governments.
■ Supports employees with limited income.. Retirees who meet the conditions can apply for support.
■ Submit through the Ministry of Community Development website.
“Social assistance is a sum of money paid to eligible people with limited income.”
