The Alimony Fund is one of the important government programs launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the rights of women and children to receive their due alimony. The fund operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and in cooperation with several government agencies, aiming to address the issue of delays or refusal of alimony payments by those obligated to pay.
What is the Alimony Fund?
The Alimony Fund is a government fund that temporarily disburses alimony due to women and children in cases where the obligated party delays or refuses to pay. After disbursing the alimony, the fund pursues the defaulter legally through enforcement courts to recover the paid amounts. The primary goal is to alleviate financial burdens on beneficiaries and prevent them from being left waiting for long periods until cases are resolved.
What types of alimony does the fund cover?
- Spousal alimony: Financial support due to the legitimate wife during the marriage or after divorce during the waiting period.
- Child alimony: Financial support for sons and daughters obligated to be paid by the father until they reach the age of majority or graduate.
- Compensation alimony: Compensation due to a divorced woman after divorce.
- Waiting period alimony: Alimony due to a divorced woman during the prescribed waiting period.
Conditions for benefiting from the Alimony Fund
The Ministry of Justice has set several conditions for benefiting from the Alimony Fund services, the most prominent of which are:
- There must be a court judgment or executive instrument proving the entitlement to alimony.
- The party obligated to pay alimony must be refusing or delaying payment without a valid excuse.
- Submitting an application through the Najiz electronic platform affiliated with the Ministry of Justice.
- No judgment should have been issued revoking the beneficiary’s right to alimony.
How to apply for the Alimony Fund
Applying for the Alimony Fund is done electronically through the following steps:
- Visit the Najiz platform (najiz.sa).
- Select the “Alimony Fund” service from the services menu.
- Log in via the National Unified Access (Absher).
- Enter the executive instrument number or case number.
- Fill in the required data and attach supporting documents.
- Attach proof of status (such as a divorce judgment, custody document).
- Submit the application and wait for a response from the competent authority.
Sources of funding for the fund
The Alimony Fund is financed through several sources, the most prominent of which are enforcement collections recovered from those obligated to pay alimony, Zakat funds allocated for social protection, and government support from the state budget.
Difference between the Alimony Fund and other support programs
The Alimony Fund differs from other support programs such as the Improved Social Security and Citizen’s Account in that it is a legally acquired right through a court judgment rather than a general government grant. The fund does not provide financial aid from the state budget but rather accelerates the disbursement of a fixed right to the beneficiary and then recovers it from the obligated party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the alimony fund without a court ruling?
Typically, the fund requires a court ruling or an executive instrument. However, in urgent cases, you can apply for a temporary judicial alimony before the original case is completed.
How long does it take to receive payment from the alimony fund?
The duration varies depending on the completeness of the documents, but procedures aim to expedite payment within a few weeks of submitting a complete application.
Does the fund cover divorced women without children?
Yes, a divorced woman is eligible to apply if she is entitled to alimony for the waiting period (iddah) or compensation (mut’ah), regardless of whether she has children. The important factor is having a court ruling that proves her entitlement.
Is the alimony fund affiliated with the Ministry of Human Resources or the Ministry of Justice?
The alimony fund is administratively affiliated with the Ministry of Justice and integrates with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to provide comprehensive support to beneficiaries.
