INTRODUCTION
The UAE government on 30th December 2024 brought into effect Federal Decree Law No. 23 of 2024 on Social Support and Empowerment. The law has clear objectives of supporting and empowering the vulnerable citizens of the state by providing them economic and social support.
ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURE
The law requires the primary beneficiary of the law to be a citizen and resident of the country between 21 and 45 years old, who is employed and insured by one of the social insurance and pension funds of the country. The total family income of the beneficiary and the value of the family assets to make them eligible for social support shall be decided by an executive regulation in the future. Other special categories of beneficiaries include orphans, widows, children and wives of convicted men, individuals with health disabilities and other such individuals.
The law provides for basic allowance for a Primary beneficiary, his spouse and their children under the age of 21 years or 25 years if they study in a higher education institute. Other complementary allowances include housing allowance, academic excellence allowance and seasonal allowance for holidays.
An eligible primary beneficiary may apply for social support in the prescribed format along with supporting documents with the Ministry of Community Empowerment which will give its decision within 30 days. Upon acceptance of the application, the Ministry shall open a bank account in the name of the primary beneficiary for depositing the monthly support amount.
EMPOWERMENT NOT CHARITY
The law’s objectives are primarily to empower beneficiaries and make them financially independent. Hence the law has several provisions that obligate the Ministry to make regular efforts to ensure that the social support is only used by individuals who genuinely require the same. Article 20 of the law provides for various cases wherein the social support of a beneficiary can be suspended.
Further to achieve the objective of empowerment and independence, the Ministry will develop comprehensive empowerment plans for individuals who are physically and mentally capable of being employed in the labour market. Further to ensure that the Ministry must also conduct regular social investigations to assess the needs of the beneficiaries.
CONCLUSION
The law provides for recovery of unjustified social support given to beneficiaries in contravention of the eligibility. There are certain provisions which will come into effect when a suitable executive regulation is passed by the Ministry which includes the definitive provisions for calculation of the social support.
The progressive nature of the law is evident from the fact that it introduces concepts of shared responsibility wherein the beneficiaries of the law will engage in the labour market and play an effective and productive role in society. This will ensure that the groups achieve financial independence with the help of these laws.
