Article 7 of the Saudi Social Security Law
المادة 7 من نظام الضمان الاجتماعي · الباب الثاني: التقديم وتحديد الاحتياج
The original applicant and the beneficiary must notify the Ministry within 15 days of any change in their circumstances that affects entitlement to the pension or its amount.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على مقدم الطلب الأصيل والمستفيد إبلاغ الوزارة بأي تغيير في أوضاع أي منهما يؤثر على استحقاقهما للمعاش أو مقداره، وذلك خلال (خمسة عشر) يوماً من تاريخ التغيير.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 7 explained in plain English
This article imposes a duty to report changes in circumstances. Each of:
- the original applicant,
- and the beneficiary,
must notify the Ministry of any change in the circumstances of either of them if the change affects entitlement to the pension or its amount.
The period set for notification is 15 days from the date of the change, and these are working days because Article 1 defines "day" as a working day.
The article does not list the types of change, but its criterion is clear: every change that affects entitlement or the amount. This is understood in light of the definitions in Article 1: the pension is based on income, wealth, and the make-up of the family, so a change in monthly income, or a dependent moving to a separate dwelling, may be among these changes.
This duty complements what Article 8 provides, that the Ministry follows up regularly on the beneficiary's situation to verify his entitlement and its amount. Follow-up is the Ministry's responsibility, and reporting is the beneficiary's responsibility.
This article itself does not state a penalty for delay in reporting. Anyone in doubt about the effect of a particular change can ask the Ministry or consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and social security laws.
Practical example
Mariam is a social security beneficiary, and she got a job with a monthly salary in Riyadh. Since the new salary affects her income and may change her entitlement or the amount of her pension, she must notify the Ministry within 15 working days of the date this change begins.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 7 of the Saudi Social Security Law
When must I notify social security of a change in my situation?
Within 15 days from the date of the change, and days under the Law are working days.
Must I notify social security if I get a job?
Any change that affects entitlement or the amount of the pension must be reported, and a change in income may be such a change.
Who is responsible for notifying the Ministry of changes?
The original applicant and the beneficiary; each is obliged to report any change in the circumstances of either of them.
More articles on Applying for Social Security
- Article 3
The article requires the pension application to be submitted to the competent department of the Ministry with supporting data and documents, and leaves the procedural details and documents to the Implementing Regulations.
تُقدم طلبات المعاش إلى الجهة المختصة في الوزارة، متضمنة البيانات والمستندات اللازمة التي تدعم طلب المعاش. وتحدد اللائحة إجراءات تقديم الطلب والبيانات والشروط وا
- Article 4
The article treats submitting a pension application as the applicant's consent to the Ministry obtaining information relating to it from government or private bodies.
يعد تقديم طلب المعاش موافقة على حصول الوزارة على المعلومات المتعلقة به من الجهات الحكومية أو الخاصة. وتحدد اللائحة الإجراءات المتبعة في ذلك.
- Article 5
The article assigns the Ministry to collect data on the situations of independent persons and families and examine them to estimate entitlement, from applications and the data of government bodies, associations, civil institutions, and others.
تتولى الوزارة جمع البيانات لمعرفة حالات المستقلين والأسر ودراستها لغرض تقدير الاستحقاق، وذلك من خلال الطلبات المقدمة إليها والبيانات الإضافية التي لدى الجهات ال
- Article 6
The article requires the Ministry to notify the applicant within 20 days of submission of its decision to accept the application under the entitlement criteria or to reject it with reasons.
تُبلغ الوزارة مقدم الطلب خلال (عشرين) يومًا من تاريخ تقديمه بقرارها بقبول الطلب وفقًا لمعايير الاستحقاق، أو برفضه مع التسبيب. وتحدد اللائحة الإجراءات المتبعة في
- Article 8
The article requires the Ministry to follow up regularly on the beneficiary's situation to verify continued entitlement to the pension and the correctness of its amount, and refers its regulation to the Regulations.
على الوزارة القيام بمتابعة منتظمة لحالة المستفيد للتأكد من مدى استحقاقه للمعاش ومقداره. وتحدد اللائحة الأحكام المنظمة لذلك.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.