Social Welfare to Cover Water and Electricity Bills

Tuesday, 12 February 2008
By Kholood F. Al-Rhamah

JEDDAH - The Kingdom will start paying electricity bills and water bill for those who cannot afford them.

The Social Security Department in the Ministry of Social Affairs will start helping widows, orphans, the disabled, minors, elderly women, and government employees who receive less than SR1,500 monthly.

Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Akass, Minister of Social Affairs, urged authorities to start supporting programs for people in need; such as repairing houses, providing medical treatment and paying water and electricity bills.

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Okala'a, undersecretary of Social Security and Public Housing in the Ministry, said the program is geared towards freeing up the income of those who have very little in the first place.

"The goal in starting such programs is to help the people with some of the burdens they face, as well as putting the money they usually use for their bills for something else they need," Al-Okala'a said.

The program will start after the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Water and Electricity establish a mechanism of payment.