Instant electronic system links across government to verify social assistance claims

TDT | Manama

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Databases are being linked across government to spot ineligible social assistance claims, the Social Development Minister, His Excellency Osama Al Alawi, said.

Cost-of-living payments are due to rise this month after a BD20 increase for each eligible category.

Answering a parliamentary question on the ministry’s services, he said the expanded electronic links allow instant checks of the rules for social assistance.

“We have developed the electronic linkage system with the relevant entities, enabling instant verification of eligibility conditions for social assistance,” he said.

The aim, he added, is to “limit any duplication or undue disbursement” and improve the accuracy of records and the use of public funds.

The minister said royal directives issued in December 2025 ordered the extra BD20 for all eligible categories, and that the revised sums will be paid during the current month.

Payments will rise to BD130, BD97 and BD75, he said. He said the last rise before that came in January 2022, when a 10 per cent increase was applied to cash support under the social security and cost-ofliving schemes.

That move lifted payments from 100 to 110 dinars, from BD70 to BD77, and from BD50 to BD55.

Allowance

All recipients of the social security programme, across nine categories under the Social Security Law issued in 2006, now also receive the cost-of-living allowance, the minister said.

He added that most recipients sit in the top payment band after the latest rise, alongside what they already receive under social security.

He said the ministry has also been reworking parts of its internal process to cut waiting times and widen online access. “We have started re-engineering a number of procedures, simplifying work pathways, and updating service level agreements,” he said, adding that more online services will be announced soon.

The minister said the Social Security Law is applied strictly, with recipients required to report any change in their social or financial status.

He said the ministry also carries out regular follow-up, backed by electronic links with other government bodies, to keep records up to date and support the long-term running of the scheme.

He said a committee chaired by him was formed about a year ago to deal with urgent humanitarian cases, meant to handle emergencies that cannot wait and to take decisions within the legal framework.

“Parliament plays a vital role in conveying these cases and cooperating directly in addressing them,” he said, describing this as showing “a spirit of partnership and integration” between the legislative and executive branches.

Some recipients also receive support through other schemes, the minister said, including disability allowances, either the general allowance of BD100 or payments linked to special cases, under the approved conditions.

Allocations

On funding, he said the ministry works with the Ministry of Finance and National Economy to secure the allocations needed to keep support programmes funded as beneficiary numbers rise.

By December 2025, he said, about 137,000 people were receiving the cost-of-living allowance, while the most recent social security payment covered about 17,740 recipients, alongside about 15,440 disability allowance recipients.