Uzbekistan implements need-based social allowances

In Uzbekistan, there has been a significant increase in the allocation of funds for social programs, amounting to twice the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These programs have expanded the coverage of low-income families receiving social benefits by fivefold. Additionally, new types of allowances have been introduced for individuals caring for persons with disabilities and children with special needs.

Nevertheless, financially self-sufficient individuals have been observed using allowances meant for vulnerable groups to buy property like apartments and vehicles.

To prevent such situations and improve the targeting and fairness of social benefits, the Cabinet of Ministers has developed a draft decision called the "Introduction of Electronic Application for Identifying Low-Income Families and Assigning Social Benefits through the Information System of the Single Register of Social Protection."

This draft decision proposes several changes to the criteria for determining eligibility for social benefits:

1. Monthly Income and Property Assessment: The draft suggests using an electronic information system to assess the income and property of pensioners on a monthly basis, with the removal of families that no longer meet the low-income criteria.

2. Monitoring of Unemployed Citizens: Unemployed citizens who seek advice from employment agencies but do not engage in professional training for three consecutive months, fail to officially register as unemployed, or do not report their labor activities will have their benefits suspended.

3. Automated Employment Status Determination: The proposed change introduces a mechanism for automatically determining the employment status of individuals who have received loans, oversee estates or farms, and are officially registered with tax authorities, as well as those working abroad. This determination will rely on electronic information from the State Personalization Center.

These proposed measures aim to ensure that social benefits are allocated to those who genuinely require support while preventing misuse by those who do not meet the prescribed criteria. Uzbekistan is adopting these steps to enhance the efficiency and fairness of its social support programs.

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