The Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister’s Office issued an important press statement on Tuesday regarding access to regional banking services. Officials urged individuals with disabilities and social welfare beneficiaries to complete their registration without delay. The financial inclusion initiative aims to modernize salary payments while expanding digital banking services across the Kurdistan Region.
According to recent government statistics, approximately 65,000 social welfare beneficiaries are eligible to participate in the digital banking project. More than 55,000 eligible citizens have successfully registered, representing a completion rate of over 91 percent. However, nearly 7,000 individuals have yet to complete the enrollment process with designated financial institutions.
Distribution efforts are continuing steadily, with participating commercial banks having already issued approximately 8,000 debit cards. Program officials will also send automated text messages to the remaining beneficiaries in the coming days. The notifications will provide details about designated bank branches and scheduled times for collecting their cards.
Citizens who are able to travel independently should visit their designated bank branches to complete the enrollment process. However, special procedures apply to beneficiaries who cannot attend in person because of severe disabilities or advanced age. In such cases, legal representatives must complete the “My Account” registration process on behalf of the social welfare beneficiaries.
To begin the process, legal representatives must visit the Social Welfare Network Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Representatives must present official court-issued authorization documents, along with valid identification documents for both parties. The required documentation also includes the national identity card and family information card for administrative verification.
Officials emphasized that strong financial protections are in place for all participating beneficiaries with special needs. Participating commercial banks will not charge fees for opening accounts or making standard ATM withdrawals. As a result, the government aims to ensure that the digital transformation does not create additional financial burdens for vulnerable citizens.
The registration drive highlights the regional government’s broader efforts to achieve full public-sector financial digitization. By integrating social welfare recipients into the formal banking system, authorities aim to improve financial transparency and modernize payment services. Officials expect the remaining 7,000 beneficiaries to complete their enrollment through the streamlined procedures.