Social Protection

Social Protection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This section reviews Saudi Arabia's efforts to support citizens at various stages of their lives to ensure a dignified life. These efforts can be achieved through the integration of social welfare systems. One of its services is to provide orphans, juveniles, and elderly care. This section also highlights the support and preventive funding programs for job seekers, social support and funding programs, financing for persons with disabilities, marriage subsidy for orphans, social and family funding, housing support programs, support programs in the coronavirus pandemic, retirement, social insurance services, and family protection services. You can explore the available services through the following link.

Key Social Protection Services:

• Orphan Care: Aims to ensure the rights of orphaned children and provide an educational and rehabilitative environment through shelters and specialized institutions. Orphans are also monitored within foster or friendly families and receive marriage assistance and financial support.

• Juvenile Care: The Juvenile Care Administration supervises social care centers dedicated to rehabilitating and correcting the behavior of at-risk juveniles. Rehabilitation includes training and educational programs, along with recreational, social, and artistic activities to support their psychological and social well-being.

• Elderly Care: Comprehensive care is provided, covering health, social, and psychological aspects, along with financial assistance through the Social Security Agency. The program also offers assistive devices such as medical beds, wheelchairs, and hearing aids.

• Combating Begging: The Begging Control Administration works to reduce this phenomenon by offering rehabilitative and corrective solutions, referring those unable to work to social care homes, providing medical treatment for patients, and offering financial assistance through social security or charitable organizations.

• Care for Persons with Disabilities: The Ministry seeks to empower people with disabilities and enhance their independence by offering suitable employment and educational opportunities, as well as medical, social, and psychological services. Key initiatives include:

  • Home Social Rehabilitation Care Program

  • Public Transport Fare Reduction Cards and Traffic Facilitation

  • Visa Fee Exemption

Social Welfare Systems and Legislation

The social protection system was established to create a strong and stable society. It is the result of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s efforts to ensure the stability of citizens, improve their quality of life, reduce social and economic challenges, and provide ongoing financial and psychological support.

Target Groups of Social Welfare Programs:

• Widows

• Divorced women

• Persons with disabilities

• Elderly individuals

• Orphans

• Children of unknown parentage

• Unemployed individuals

• Low-income and needy individuals

• Those affected by disasters and pandemics

Social Protection Programs for Job Seekers

• Job Seekers Allowance Program: Provides financial assistance starting from SAR 2,000 per month for 15 months, along with training and job placement services. The program targets newcomers to the labor market and those who have been unemployed for more than two years.

• Unemployment Benefits (SANED) Program: Supports Saudi citizens and their families during periods of unemployment by providing minimum income and necessary training to help them find new jobs.

• Doroob Program: An electronic training platform that aims to develop the skills of Saudi citizens in line with labor market requirements.

• Tamheer Program: Provides on-the-job training for Saudi graduates in government institutions and private companies, helping them acquire the skills needed for the labor market.

• Hadaf Leadership Academy: Aims to prepare and develop outstanding national leaders in the private sector in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

• Nitaqat Program: Encourages companies to increase the employment of Saudi nationals by classifying them into different categories based on their Saudization rates.

• Occupational Saudization Initiative: Aims to localize specific occupations by providing job opportunities for qualified Saudi citizens.

Preventive Support and Financing Programs

• Productive Families Support: Provides interest-free loans from the Social Development Bank, such as family loans, to enable families to work independently.

• Citizen Account Program: Offers direct financial support to families affected by economic reforms, focusing on the most financially vulnerable groups.

Social Support and Financing Programs

• Social Allowances: Financial support is provided to families caring for persons with disabilities or orphans. Benefits include wheelchairs and modified vehicles.

• Social Security Program: Supports low-income families and individuals through monthly financial payments for orphans, elderly individuals, those unable to work, and women without a breadwinner.

• Marriage Assistance for Orphans: A one-time financial grant is provided to help orphans with special circumstances cover wedding expenses.

These programs and services collectively promote social balance and stability, creating a supportive environment that enables all segments of society to lead dignified and independent lives.

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