Criticism of Raisi's Government for 'Cutting Off Benefits for Many' Disabled Individuals

Activists and journalists in the field of disability in Iran say that the benefits of 'many' disabled individuals and welfare recipients have not been paid or have been 'cut off.' Roya Babaei, a journalist specializing in disability issues, stated on Saturday, May 18, that the 'New Year's bonus for welfare recipients' was also not paid this year, addressing Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, Soulat Mortazavi, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter): 'In a situation where this group is struggling to meet their basic living needs, is the government instead of helping them playing the tune of cutting off welfare benefits?' Behrouz Marouti, the director of the Disabled Campaign, confirmed this news in an interview with ILNA news agency on Sunday, May 19, stating: 'Last month, the benefits of several tens of thousands of welfare recipients who had been receiving benefits until the end of last year were cut off without any reason.' Mr. Marouti further explained that according to reports received and surveys from the welfare recipients' news channel and the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, the benefits of '20 percent' of welfare recipients have been cut off, attributing this issue to the change in the responsibility of paying these benefits from the Relief Foundation and Welfare Organization to the Targeted Subsidies Organization. The director of the Disabled Campaign concluded by saying: 'The cutting off of benefits for disabled individuals and other welfare recipients has not only jeopardized their basic livelihood but has also caused anxiety and concern about the potential for benefit cuts among all welfare recipients and their families.' Previously, Alireza Anjalasi, the deputy for resource development at the Welfare Organization, confirmed in Bahman 1401 that the budget line for the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was removed from the 1402 budget bill. Despite protests from many disabled individuals and activists regarding the removal of this budget line, Hossein Ali Hajideligani, a member of the Joint Commission of the Parliament, emphasized at that time: 'There is no need to provide reasons or justifications because this matter is necessary and based on the law.' The comprehensive law for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities was approved in Esfand 1396 and was officially announced by the then President in Ordibehesht 1397, and since then the government has been obligated to allocate a separate budget line for this law. Alongside increased security and propaganda budgets, the government has removed the budget line for disabled individuals.