Kuwait suspends 826 disability files, saving nearly 2 million dinars annually
The Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities has suspended the files of 826 individuals after they failed to update their information within the required time-frame, saving the Treasure an estimated 166,445 dinars per month — or approximately 1.998 million annually.
The move comes as part of the Authority’s efforts to ensure integrity in disbursements and eliminate unjustified financial allocations.
Acting Director General of the Authority, Wafaa Al-Muhanna, revealed to Al-Jarida that the suspended cases involved beneficiaries who did not respond to repeated requests to renew their data and present themselves before specialized medical committees for reassessment.
She explained that the Authority had granted a 60-day grace period and had communicated with the individuals through multiple channels, including SMS messages, the official Sahel application, and WhatsApp notifications. Despite these efforts, 643 individuals failed to respond, prompting the Authority to freeze their files until further notice.
Of the 826 total suspended files, only 183 individuals approached the Authority for review. Among them, three were confirmed to have passed away in 2017, 20
22, and 2025, respectively. Eighteen cases renewed their certifications, while 40 were granted new appointments.
However, 46 applications were rejected by the medical committees, and 25 individuals had their disability levels downgraded — some from severe to moderate, or from moderate to minor.
Meanwhile, 51 cases were renewed with no change in classification.
Al-Muhanna emphasized that the Authority exercised patience and exhausted all possible methods of communication before resorting to suspension. The objective, she said, was not to punish beneficiaries, but to safeguard public funds and ensure that only eligible individuals continue receiving allowances.
The financial impact of the suspended files is significant. According to the breakdown provided by the Authority, 201 cases classified as learning disabilities had been receiving personal allowances totaling 37,185 dinars monthly, or 446,220 dinars annually. Another 96 individuals with minor disabilities received 17,760 dinars per month and 213,120 dinars per year.
For cases involving moderate disabilities, 11 individuals were drawing a total of 2,475 dinars per month, while 277 cases with moderate disabilities receiving both servant and driver allowances cost the state 27,700 dinars per month and 332,400 dinars annually. An additional 114 individuals receiving combined allowances for moderate disabilities amounted to 37,050 dinars monthly and 444,600 dinars annually.
The Authority also suspended payments to 3 cases with severe disabilities who were receiving personal allowances of 825 dinars per month. Fifty-seven other severe cases receiving servant allowances were costing 8,550 dinars monthly, and 41 more cases receiving comprehensive allowances for personal care, drivers, and servants were drawing 17,424 dinars per month. There were also five cases receiving special allowances for both servants and female caregivers totaling 2,250 dinars monthly. Lastly, 21 cases were receiving full care packages amounting to 15,225 monthly and 182,700 dinars annually.
Al-Muhanna reiterated that the decision to suspend the files came only after the Authority had exhausted all means of contact and communication. The step, she said, was essential in maintaining financial transparency and ensuring that public assistance is directed solely toward those who continue to meet the eligibility criteria under Kuwaiti law.
