Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment
- Law Type: Federal Decree-Law
- Law Number: [23] of 2024
- Issued Date: 30 Sep 2024
- Effective Date: 30 Dec 2024
- Official Gazette: No. 784
- Sector: Family and Community
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 68
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 1
Summary
The Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment regulates the provision of social support to low-income UAE citizens. The law aims to support and empower UAE citizens by providing basic and supplementary allowances to meet their living needs, promote economic empowerment, and provide relief in crises. The law defines the eligibility criteria, calculation mechanisms, and administrative procedures for social support, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Community Development. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 1-2)
This law is significant for UAE citizens as it establishes a comprehensive social support system to ensure a decent standard of living and financial independence. It also empowers the government to periodically evaluate and adjust the eligibility thresholds and allowance amounts based on economic and social indicators. The law's implementation is expected to contribute to social welfare and economic empowerment of low-income UAE families. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 11)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment aims to support and empower UAE citizens through a social support program. The law's objectives are to: (1) provide support to low-income UAE families to meet their living needs and enable them to secure a decent life; (2) provide social protection to the most vulnerable groups; (3) work on economically empowering beneficiaries to achieve financial independence; (4) promote a culture of shared responsibility by helping beneficiaries engage in the labor market; and (5) provide support and relief in case of crises and disasters. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
- State: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Ministry: Ministry of Community Development
- Minister: Minister of Community Development
- Social Support: A monthly amount disbursed to the beneficiary
- Beneficiary: Any person who meets the eligibility criteria
- Primary Beneficiary: The beneficiary under whose name the social support is approved and disbursed
- Family: A group of individuals consisting of the primary beneficiary and those under his/her care
- Higher Education: The educational stage that follows general education and is provided by higher education institutions
(Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The key obligations and requirements under this law include:
- The beneficiary must be a UAE citizen residing permanently in the country. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 4)
- The primary beneficiary must be between 21 and 55 years old, employed and insured with a UAE insurance or pension fund, or referred to retirement. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 4)
- The total monthly income of the family must be less than the eligibility threshold. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 4, 6-8)
- The total value of the family's assets must be less than the minimum asset threshold. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 4)
- The primary beneficiary or their representative must inform the Ministry of any changes in their status that may affect their eligibility within 30 days. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 15)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements. Individuals must apply for social support by submitting the required form and supporting documents to the Ministry of Community Development. The Ministry is responsible for studying the application and making a decision within 30 days. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 12)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law provides the following rights and protections:
- The right to receive basic and supplementary social support allowances if the eligibility criteria are met. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 3-9)
- Special categories, such as orphans, individuals with disabilities, and single mothers, are eligible for social support with exceptions to certain conditions. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 10)
- The right to file a grievance against the Ministry's decision regarding the social support application. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 21)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The Ministry of Community Development is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of this law. The Ministry's key roles and powers include:
- Studying and deciding on social support applications within 30 days. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 12)
- Opening a bank account for the primary beneficiary and depositing the social support. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 13)
- Periodically evaluating the eligibility threshold and allowance amounts and proposing amendments to the Cabinet. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 11)
- Recovering social support in cases of false information or unjustified non-withdrawal. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 18)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. However, it states that anyone who deliberately provides false information or intentionally refrains from providing the required data to obtain, increase, or continue receiving social support without justification shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine not exceeding 50,000 Dirhams, or by one of these penalties. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 17)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or financial provisions other than the social support allowances. The Executive Regulation of the law will determine the amounts of the basic allowances for the primary beneficiary, spouse, and children. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 5)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law provides the following exemptions and exceptions:
- Special categories, such as orphans, individuals with disabilities, and single mothers, are eligible for social support with exceptions to certain eligibility conditions. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 10)
- The Executive Regulation will determine the specific eligibility conditions, support amounts, and controls for granting exceptions to the special categories. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 10)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law allows the beneficiary to file a grievance against the Ministry's decision regarding the social support application. The law does not provide further details on the dispute resolution mechanism. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 21)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies the following key deadlines and time limits:
- The Ministry must decide on a social support application within 30 days from the date of completing all required data and documents. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 12)
- The primary beneficiary or their representative must inform the Ministry of any changes in their status that may affect their eligibility within 30 days. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 15)
- The Ministry must evaluate the situation of the family members of a deceased primary beneficiary within 30 days from the date of the death. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Art. 16)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment references the following related legislation:
- Federal Law No. (1) of 1972, On the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended
- Federal Law No. (2) of 2001, On the Social security, as amended
- Federal Decree-Law No. (48) of 2021 on Higher Education
The law does not specify how it repeals or amends any of the referenced legislation. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
The Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment was issued on 30 September 2024 and came into effect on 30 December 2024, as published in the Official Gazette No. 784. (Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment, 2024, Issued Date, Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Decree-Law on Social Support and Empowerment 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.