New condition for Iran's cash subsidy and food voucher: proving residence in the country by late Shahrivar

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 (13 Mordad 1405) the start of a residence verification process for a number of recipients of Iran's cash subsidy and electronic food voucher. According to the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare, people who have received a notification text message have until the end of Shahrivar 1405 (22 September 2026) to register their identity and their presence in the country at selected government service offices.

Mohajerani said the measure implements the legal requirement that the subsidy and the food voucher be paid to people resident in the country, and that the messages were sent to the heads of households whose members may not be present in Iran. She stressed that the message contains no internet link and lists only the national identity numbers of household members whose presence must be verified. Verification is carried out only at selected government service offices that issue national identity cards and birth certificates, and recipients must attend in person with their national identity card. Young children without a card must attend with their birth certificate and the head of the household.

On the financial consequence, the spokesperson said the food voucher credit for these people will not be deposited in the Mordad payment round, but that if residence in the country is verified, the Mordad arrears will be added to their account in the following payment round. She asked citizens not to go in person to the ministry's headquarters, provincial offices or other bodies.