News
President MBZ announces more relief measures to support low-income UAE citizens
ABU DHABI (WAM) – In a welcome relief from the tightening economy squeeze for Emiratis, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the restructuring of the Social Welfare Progarmme of low-income citizens into an integrated programme worth AED28 billion instead of AED14 billion.
The move aimed at raising the annual social support allocation from AED2.7 billion to AED5 billion.
The programme, overseen by the Ministry of Community Development, covers various social aspects for national families with limited income, including the head of the family allowance, the wife allowance, and the children allowance. The programme also covers financial support for housing and other basic needs such as food, water, electricity and fuel, in addition to temporary financial support for unemployed job seeker, and unemployed citizens over the age of 45.
Introducing new allowances
The programme has introduced four new allowances: housing allowance, university education allowance, the allowance for unemployed citizens over the age of 45, and the allowance for the unemployed job seekers.
Housing allowance: The new programme includes a housing allowance between AED1,500 to AED2,500 per month until the family obtains government housing.
Applicants who live with their parents or any other family are entitled to 60% of these amounts. This allowance does not apply to those who obtain government housing subsidy or own a house registered in their names. Beneficiaries will stop receiving this allowance once acquiring government housing.
For illustrative purposes only
University education allowance: An allowance of AED3,200 per month will be allocated to outstanding high school students enrolled in university studies (according to the requirements of the Education and Human Resources Council). The allowance also includes students enrolled in diploma and university education programmes according to the allowances of children for each family (between AED2,400 and AED800) up to the age of 25.
Allowance to unemployed citizens over the age of 45: It is one of the new financial subsidies within the social welfare programme, where a fixed subsidy is granted starting from AED2000 to AED5000 per month according to the age of the unemployed citizens.
Allowance for unemployed job seekers: This allowance extends for a period of six months, and amounts to AED5000 per month for each beneficiary, regardless of his age.
Increasing allowances
The social welfare programme has been keen to increase the allowances allocated to all family members, including the three current allowances: the allowance for the head of the family, the one for the wife, and the one for children.
- The allowance for the family head has been increased to start from AED5,000 per month and then increase at a rate of AED2,000 per month for every 10 years of work experience until it reaches AED13,000. Whereas the head of the family in the age group of 21-30 years receives an amount of AED5000 per month, and the allowance increases for the age group from 30-40 years to reach AED7000, and the age group from 40-50 years is AED9,000, and the age group from 50-60 years to reach AED11,000, and the age group of those over 60 years old, which amounts to AED13,000 per month.
- The wife’s allowance has been raised to AED3,500, with the aim of raising the social support that low-income national families receive.
- The social welfare programme includes increasing the children allowance to AED2,400 per month for the first child, AED1,600 per month for the second and third child, and AED800 for the fourth child or more, and it shall be disbursed up to the age of 21 years.
Inflation allowance
The programme includes three types of allowances: food, electricity and water, and fuel subsidies.
- The government will bear 75% of food price inflation, as a commitment to provide the necessary assistance to Emirati families to enable them to meet their living requirements and provide them with a decent life.
- Electricity and water subsidy worth 50% for electricity consumption less than 4,000 kilowatts, and monthly subsidy for water consumption less than 26,000 gallons.
The programme provides a monthly subsidy of 85% of the fuel price increase over AED2.1 per litre. The head of the family receives a monthly subsidy of 300 litres, while the working wife receives a subsidy of an additional 200 litres. Meanwhile, the head of the family receives a subsidy of 400 litres if the wife does not receive support.
The UAE’s long-awaited passenger rail network has taken another major step forward after Etihad Rail confirmed the completion of its first passenger station in Fujairah ahead of operations launching later this year.
Located in the Madinat Al Hilal area, the new station spans more than 51,900 square metres and is expected to become a key transport hub linking Fujairah with Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A new way to travel across the UAE
Officials say the launch of passenger rail services could significantly reshape travel between emirates, offering faster and more comfortable journeys while reducing pressure on roads.
Travel at 200km/h
- Travel time between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi will take around 105 minutes
- Trains will reach speeds of up to 200km/h
- Each train will accommodate up to 400 passengers
The first operational phase is expected to launch simultaneously across routes connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.
Strategically located near key landmarks
The new station sits close to several major destinations in Fujairah, including:
- Fujairah International Airport — approximately 12 minutes away
- Umbrella Beach Corniche — around six minutes away
- Sakamkam Fort — roughly five minutes away
Officials believe the railway connection will help boost tourism, investment and economic activity across the emirate.
VIP lounges, Wi-Fi and dining onboard
The passenger experience is also expected to feel far more modern than traditional regional rail travel.
Station and trains will include:
- Retail areas
- VIP lounges
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Dining carriages
- Automated payment machines
- Passenger service offices
- Modern waiting areas and digital signage
Built with strong local contribution
Etihad Rail also revealed that around 70 per cent of materials used across the national railway network were sourced locally through 97 UAE suppliers, highlighting the project’s broader economic impact.
While official schedules and ticketing details are still expected to be announced closer to the launch date, the completion of Fujairah Passenger Station is a major step towards rail travel in the UAE.
Big move for UAE cricket: Abu Dhabi takes over full ownership of T10 league
First look at Etihad Rail’s first passenger station with VIP lounges and high-speed Wi-Fi
