Lebanon's Central Bank announced on Wednesday permanent adjustments to Circulars 166 and 158, significantly raising the monthly allocations for beneficiaries.

Under the new changes, beneficiaries of Circular 158 will see their monthly payments rise to $500, up from the prior range of $300 to $400. 

Meanwhile, those receiving aid under Circular 166 will now be allocated $250 per month, a substantial increase from the previous $150.

Circular No. 158, introduced in June 2021, permits withdrawals in "fresh" dollars from foreign currency accounts opened before October 30, 2019, now known as "lollars" accounts. This mechanism has been extended three times. Those who followed the circular's guidelines before June 30, 2023, were able to withdraw $400 per month, totaling up to $4,800 annually and a maximum of $50,000. In contrast, those who chose to benefit from the circular after July 1, 2023, are limited to $300 per month, or up to $3,600 annually.

Circular No. 166, issued in February 2024, provides another option for eligible depositors—those not covered by Circular No. 158—to withdraw $150 in "fresh" dollars per month (up to a total of $4,350) from accounts denominated in "lollars" with funds deposited between October 31, 2019, and June 30, 2023.