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RIYADH - Saudi Arabia has made its first installment of 2 billion riyals ($533.33 million) into the kingdom's household allowance programme, with 10.6 million beneficiaries, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.
Known as the Citizens Account, the scheme is a cash handout for low- and middle-income citizens to offset the impact of energy price increases.
In a presentation of the programme last week, labour ministry officials said about 3.7 million households signed up, representing some 13 million total beneficiaries, but that not all would be approved for eligibility.
The next monthly installment will be transferred on Jan 10, SPA said. ($1 = 3.7500 riyals)
(Reporting by Katie Paul, writing by Sylvia Westall) ((sylvia.westall@thomsonreuters.com; Dubai Newsroom +971 4453 6488; Reuters Messaging: sylvia.westall.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Known as the Citizens Account, the scheme is a cash handout for low- and middle-income citizens to offset the impact of energy price increases.
In a presentation of the programme last week, labour ministry officials said about 3.7 million households signed up, representing some 13 million total beneficiaries, but that not all would be approved for eligibility.
The next monthly installment will be transferred on Jan 10, SPA said. ($1 = 3.7500 riyals)
(Reporting by Katie Paul, writing by Sylvia Westall) ((sylvia.westall@thomsonreuters.com; Dubai Newsroom +971 4453 6488; Reuters Messaging: sylvia.westall.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
