Akhannouch Reveals Details of Direct Social Assistance Program

Rabat – Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, declared on Monday in Rabat that the launch of the direct social assistance program is a “historic moment.”

Speaking before the two chambers of Parliament, he noted that the government has started implementing the project to expand social protection to all Moroccans in accordance with royal directions.

This implementation began with the completion of the first phase, which calls for the extension of mandatory basic health insurance at the end of 2022, followed by an upgrade of the national health system.

The second phase entails the extension of direct social assistance. According to Akhannouch, MAD 25 billion ($2.4 billion) will be needed altogether to implement the social assistance project in 2024, and MAD 29 billion ($2.8 billion) will be needed annually starting in 2026.

Akhannouch reaffirmed that this budget is in addition to the MAD 10 billion ($971 million) that the country allocates each year for the generalization of the obligatory medical insurance to families living in poverty.

He also noted that these allocations will represent a total budget of MAD 40 billion ($3.8 billion) by 2026, covering medical coverage and direct social assistance.

The direct social assistance package is set to consist of three main components including a birth bonus, and direct social assistance for targeted families with children.

The package will also include direct social assistance for targeted families without children or with children over the age of 21, particularly those with elderly dependents.

“The first measure is a monthly allowance for every child under 21,” Akhannouch said, noting that beginning at the end of December 2023, every child will receive a monthly allowance of MAD 200 ($20) from birth until the age of five.

He added that this amount will remain the same until 2024 before rising to MAD 250 ($24) per month in 2025 and then to MAD 300 ($29) per month in 2026.

Akhannouch also went on to say that families with more than three children will receive an additional MAD 36 ($3.5) per month for the fourth, fifth, and sixth children.

Children with disabilities will get a monthly allowance of MAD 300 ($29) in 2024, increasing to MAD 400 ($39) in 2026.

Akhannouch stated that King Mohammed VI is launching a “true social revolution” that will serve as a strong foundation for the Morocco of the future.

Addressing the Parliament in October, the King announced a comprehensive direct social aid program to extend support to families in need as well as other vulnerable demographics of society.

This dynamic has the potential to “strengthen the sense of belonging to the homeland and raise the level of confidence in the country’s institutions, as well as in the capacity for collective success,” Akhannouch stated.