Social Welfare Programme
Social Welfare Programme
The Social Welfare Programme is a federal initiative implemented by Ministry of Community Empowerment. It provides an integrated social safety net to Emirati families, with an aim to enhance social stability, improve quality of life, and promote financial independence.
The programme focuses on the most vulnerable groups in society and offers a comprehensive system of support through structured monthly allowances tailored to the family’s needs. Eligibility is determined based on the applicant’s social and economic situation, in line with approved criteria and regulations.
The vision of the programme
In 2022, a new vision for the Social Welfare Programme was adopted as part of a comprehensive restructuring. It reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering low-income Emirati families, strengthening their role in society and enabling their economic participation.
The programme promotes the principle of shared responsibility and seeks to establish a model that balances social stability with economic productivity.
It aims to protect vulnerable groups and provide a more inclusive and sustainable support framework.
Objectives of the programme
The objectives of Social Welfare Programme are to:
- provide an integrated social safety net by delivering effective financial assistance to low-income families to meet their essential needs, enhance stability, and ensure a dignified standard of living
- protect the most vulnerable by offering a comprehensive social support to citizens facing exceptional health or social challenges
- promote economic empowerment by enabling capable beneficiaries to gradually integrate into the labour market and achieve financial independence
- encourage shared responsibility - by fostering active participation in empowerment opportunities and employment as part of a sustainable support system
- ensure crisis and emergency response by delivering timely support to safeguard families during abnormally difficult circumstances.
Coordination with local governments
The Social Welfare Programme works in coordination with local governments in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah to ensure harmonised efforts and to avoid duplication.
Citizens may apply to either or both; the federal or the local programmes. In cases where applicants qualify for both, federal support will be provided first. Local authorities may provide a top-up if the limit of their allowance exceeds that of the federal support.
Allowances under the Social Welfare Programme
The amounts of the allowances were based on comprehensive studies of living conditions in the UAE, including data from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey conducted by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as cost of living and income indicators. These studies identified the essential costs for low-income families, ensuring that the support provided is effective, equitable and sustainable.
Under the Social Welfare Programme, Emiratis are provided with a basic allowance and a supplementary allowance.
Basic allowance includes:
- primary beneficiary allowance
- spouse allowance
- children's allowance.
Supplementary allowance
This allowance is provided to the families that are already receiving the basic allowance mentioned above. Supplementary allowance includes:
- housing allowance
- academic excellence allowance for higher education
- seasonal allowance.
Additionally, MoCE provides inflation allowance, which includes:
- fuel allowance
- food allowance and
- electricity and water allowance.
- Housing allowance
It is offered to families who do not receive any government housing support. This allowance is adjusted according to the family size, housing and living conditions.
Documents required
The applicant must submit:
- a copy of the housing rental contract or its electricity and water bill
- proof of family relationship
- proof that no buildings are constructed on the land that he/she may own
- proof of ownership of the jointly owned or inherited property.
Submit documents online through the website of MOCE/‘My files’ page.
Conditions for obtaining the housing allowance
To receive housing allowance, the applicant must:
- be at least 25 years old
- not own residential property, nor have a spouse or child under 21, who own a suitable residential property, or a residential property granted by a federal or local government entity
- not be receiving any housing financial support from a federal or local government. If any is received, it must be less than the approved housing allowance.
- not have a residence provided by his/her employer, or by the employer of any dependent family member.
- Academic excellence allowance for higher education
It is provided to university students who are the children or siblings of social support beneficiaries, and have achieved outstanding results in their studies. The amount of allowance allocated to them is increased to motivate them to continue their education and academic excellence.
Documents required
The applicant must submit a copy of the academic transcript or record of the most recent semester for the high-achieving student.
Submit documents online through the website of MOCE/‘My files’ page.
Conditions for obtaining the academic excellence allowance
- To receive the academic excellence allowance, the applicant must: be residing in the UAE and have officially enrolled in a recognised government or private higher education institute accredited by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- have completed at least 12 credit hours in the previous academic term, and obtained a GPA of 3.3, or equivalent.
- Seasonal allowance
This allowance is granted to the beneficiary on special occasions, such as national holidays.
Inflation allowance
The Inflation allowance is a temporary support initiated to mitigate the impact of rising living costs caused by global inflation. It covers expenses for: fuel, food, and electricity and water.
The allowance is disbursed monthly as credit to eligible beneficiaries and is implemented under the supervision of Ministry of Community Empowerment.
This allowance was designed based on technical studies that analysed price trends and average household spending.
The inflation allowance rates shown below have been set in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2025 Regarding Inflation Allowance.
- Fuel allowance
The fuel allowance covers 85 per cent of the increase in fuel prices subject to a maximum amount as shown in the table below.
|
Fuel price (AED) |
Maximum amount of allowance (AED) |
|
<2.1 |
0 |
|
2.1-2.85 |
AED 300 for each spouse |
|
2.86-3.6 |
AED 600 for each spouse |
|
>3.6 |
AED 900 for each spouse |
- Food allowance
The food allowance covers 75 per cent of the increase in food prices subject to a maximum amount as shown in the table below.
|
Beneficiary |
Maximum amount of allowance (AED) |
|
Husband |
AED 500 |
|
Wife |
AED 500 |
|
Children |
AED 250 per child (up to 4 children) |
- Electricity and water allowance
The electricity and water allowance covers 50 per cent of consumption costs, or AED 400 per month, whichever is lower.
Find steps to apply for the inflation allowance.
How to apply for the Social Welfare Programme?
