Citizen's Account sets December 16 as deadline for second phase applications

Saudi Arabia's Citizen's Account program has set Dec. 16 as deadline for citizens to apply for the second phase of cash payments.

Registration is now open and is not linked to the payment process, the program said in a statement.

In addition, an online calculator will be also provided for all beneficiaries starting from December 21, the statement added.

The Citizen's Account scheme will not impact, but rather integrate with the existing subsidy programs, Ali Rajhi, general manager of the program, said in a press conference.

He added that over 900,000 applicants were approached by officials to verify their data.

The Saudi cabinet approved on Tuesday the Citizen's Account program policies, which will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure appropriate and adequate support for eligible Saudi households, Argaam reported.

The first payment will be made to eligible Saudi households on December 21.

The program aims to mitigate the direct and indirect impact on low and medium income households resulting from the ongoing economic reforms such as the gasoline price adjustment, the electricity tariffs adjustment, and the value added tax (VAT) on all food and beverage items.