Disbursing social assistance within the program to unify the date for disbursing government support
12-09-2020
As part of implementing the Cabinet’s decision to unify the payment date for the five cash‑support programmes delivered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Housing, all eligible assistance is now transferred in a single instalment on the fifteenth of every month under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development; the standard‑of‑living allowance for retirees is exempt from this arrangement pursuant to an order by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. Accordingly, Minister of Labour and Social Development Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan confirmed that, on 15 September, accounts of citizens registered for social‑assistance services were credited with support totalling approximately BHD 17 million, in line with all established eligibility criteria and regulations. The September 2020 disbursement covered social‑security assistance, the cost‑of‑living allowance, the disability allowance and the rent allowance issued by the Ministry of Housing. Humaidan also reiterated that cash compensation for the removal of the meat subsidy is issued quarterly: the previous tranche was deposited on 15 July for July, August and September, and the next will follow on 15 October for October, November and December. Humaidan underlined that fixing the disbursement date—effective since mid‑February 2020—allows citizens to receive funds from every support programme in a single transfer, helping them meet family commitments on a predictable schedule; this approach embodies the Government’s determination to maximise the direct benefit of assistance. He noted that the unified mechanism operates through an information system that integrates data from all direct‑support platforms, ensuring payments are processed on the fifteenth of each month, thereby boosting both efficiency and equity for eligible citizens. In the current cycle, BHD 9 million 485 thousand will reach 124 thousand 598 Bahraini families under the cost‑of‑living allowance. Social‑security assistance will go to about 16 thousand 784 families and individuals, totalling BHD 1 million 597 thousand, while 12 thousand 267 persons with disabilities will receive BHD 1 million 228 thousand through the disability allowance. In addition, the rent allowance disbursed by the Ministry of Housing will benefit 45,393 recipients at a value of BHD 4 million 549 thousand. His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, affirmed that direct support reaches every eligible citizen whose name appears on the beneficiary rolls of the various assistance programmes. He noted that, since last March, the Ministry has activated a full suite of electronic services as part of precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID‑19, enabling beneficiaries to communicate swiftly with social‑assistance specialists and receive prompt answers to their queries. Details of individual entitlements and payment schedules are readily accessible through the e‑Government portal Bahrain.bh, while further inquiries may be directed to the National Contact Centre on 80008001.