Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (201) of 2025
- Issued Date: 27 Nov 2025
- Effective Date: 02 Jan 2026
- Official Gazette: No. 813
- Sector: Family and Community
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 16
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution establishes the controls and conditions for suspending or deducting social support payments to beneficiaries who fail to comply with the requirements of the UAE's Empowerment Programme. The resolution aims to incentivize beneficiaries to actively participate in the programme, which is designed to help them become self-reliant and economically independent. The legislation is significant for social support recipients in the UAE, as non-compliance can lead to a reduction or suspension of their monthly payments. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this Cabinet Resolution is to regulate the suspension or deduction of social support payments for individuals who are non-compliant with the requirements of the UAE's Empowerment Programme. The purpose is to incentivize beneficiaries to actively participate in the programme and become self-reliant, thereby reducing their dependence on social support. The resolution applies to social support recipients between the ages of 21 and 54 who are not employed, enrolled in higher education, or enlisted in national service. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 1)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The legislation does not provide any specific definitions. The key terms used, such as "social support", "empowerment programme", and "suitable training or employment opportunities", are not explicitly defined within the text. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations and requirements under this law are:
- Beneficiaries must register in any of the Ministry-approved empowerment programmes and comply with the programme requirements within 30 days of receiving notification from the Ministry. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 1(1)(a))
- Beneficiaries must register in the approved training courses under the empowerment programme and complete the registration and attendance requirements. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 1(1)(b))
- Beneficiaries must not refuse more than three suitable training opportunities or withdraw from training without an acceptable excuse. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 1(1)(c))
- Beneficiaries must not refuse more than three suitable job interviews or employment opportunities without an acceptable excuse. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 1(1)(d))
What notification requirements exist?
The Ministry must notify the beneficiary prior to deducting or suspending their social support payments due to non-compliance with the Empowerment Programme requirements. The notification must be sent through approved channels, such as text messages, email, or the Ministry's electronic system. The beneficiary cannot claim lack of knowledge of the notification if it was sent through the approved channels. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 2)
What are the rules for deduction and suspension of social support?
The legislation outlines the following rules for deducting and suspending social support payments:
- The Ministry may deduct 10% of the social support payment upon the occurrence of any of the non-compliance cases listed in Article 1. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 3(1))
- The deduction percentage increases by 10% for each additional instance of non-compliance, such as remaining non-compliant for an additional month, failing to attend another training course, or refusing additional suitable training or job opportunities. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 3(2))
- The deduction continues until it results in the suspension of the social support payment. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 3(3))
- If both spouses or either spouse complies with the Empowerment Programme requirements, the deduction does not apply. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 3(5))
How can social support be resumed?
If the beneficiary complies with the Empowerment Programme plan and requirements after the deduction has been applied, the full social support payment will be resumed from the following month, in accordance with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 23 of 2024. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 4)
How can a beneficiary file a grievance?
A beneficiary can submit a grievance against the deduction or suspension decision to the grievances committee established under Article 21 of Federal Decree-Law No. 23 of 2024. The grievance must be filed within 30 days of being notified of the decision. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 5)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force on 2 January 2026. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme, 2025, Art. 6)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Controls for the Suspension of Social Support for Persons Non-Compliant with the Empowerment Programme for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.