RIYADH: The Ministry of Social Affairs has recently disbursed more than SR2 billion to social security beneficiaries which covered pensions, aid and other support programs.

Deputy Minister for Social Security Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Aqla said an amount of SR2,254,742,485 was distributed, including SR1,430,089,964 in pensions to 920,298 social security beneficiaries.

An amount of SR208,320,132 riyals was disbursed to the cash aid program for food; SR20,014,657 to support the productive families program; SR18,887,750 to the complementary support program; SR 500,620,132 to the social security cash aid program; and SR76,809,937 to programs for supporting payment of electricity bills.

Al-Aqla said all social security expenditures are from Zakat funds, noting that the ministry reviews and electronically analyzes data of enrolled beneficiaries on a monthly basis. He said a there are a number of registered cases that were not included among the beneficiaries, either due to death or marriage of the beneficiary, increases to the income level, increase in the number of workers under the sponsorship of the beneficiary, or no valid proof of divorce.

He said the ministry is sparing no effort in providing pensions, assistance and support to various programs in order to ensure support is delivered to all eligible beneficiaries.

New cases are consistently registered at social security offices in the Kingdom, said Al-Aqla, including orphans, individuals with temporary or total disabilities, widows and other categories.

Registration can take place at one of the 101 offices and 15 security services unit, or online.