Opening of a new phase in the 'Kalk-Barg' (food stamps) program in Iran

[50645] Opening of a new phase in the 'Kalk-Barg' (food stamps) program in Iran

The Iranian Ministry of Labor has announced the start of the tenth phase of the nutritional support program, intended for approximately 87 million citizens based on their ID card endings.

Opening of a new phase in the nutritional support program in Iran

The government of Iran announced today, May 5, 2026, the launch of the tenth phase of the 'Kalk-Barg' (electronic food stamps) program, designed to provide an economic safety net for approximately 87 million citizens. According to the Hamian Pezeshkian channel and the IRNA news agency, the program is a step in continuing the policy of supporting the cost of living.

According to joint reports by the IRNA agency and the IR-B0 news channel, payments and eligibility were activated starting today for specific groups. The Deputy Minister of Labor emphasized that the process will be carried out in stages according to the last digit of the head of the family's ID card:

• Starting May 5: Holders of the endings 0, 1, and 2, as well as families belonging to security forces and welfare institutions.


• Starting May 20: Holders of the endings 3, 4, and 5.


• Starting May 25: Holders of the endings 6, 7, 8, and 9.

The Akharin Khabar news channel reported that as part of the move, families recognized by aid organizations (the Welfare Organization and relief committees) and the armed forces began receiving the financial credit as of today. Authorities are calling on eligible citizens to visit authorized stores according to the established schedules to realize their eligibility.