Labor Ministry Says Kalabarg Suspensions for Some Recipients Stem From Residency Data, Not a System Error

Iran's Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare said in a statement on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (21 Mordad 1405) that reports of a data flaw at the national police (FARAJA) behind the suspension of some kalabarg (electronic food coupon) accounts are inaccurate, and that the suspensions are based on refined residency data pooled from multiple government agencies. Under the statement, people flagged in that data as residing abroad may see their kalabarg temporarily suspended but can have the status corrected if they prove they actually live in Iran; those who only traveled to Iraq for religious pilgrimage will be removed from the list after review.

The ministry asked affected people not to visit in person service offices until next week while the review is completed. Starting August 12 (21 Mordad), recipients can check their kalabarg status via the USSD code #1463500# or the hemayat.sfara.ir website. The ministry said August's electronic kalabarg and cash subsidy payments are continuing on the government's normal schedule.