Uzbek Government Approves Procedure for Including Families in the Social Registry

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Government of Uzbekistan has approved the procedure for including families in the Social Registry. The regulation establishes the process for registering families, categorizing them, and the procedure for their removal from the Registry.

Families can apply for inclusion in the Social Registry in person at a public service center or through an authorized body, as well as via a social worker. Applications can also be submitted independently through the Unified Information System of Social Protection, the EPIgu portal, or the “Social Card” mobile app. Each family may submit an application no more than once per month.

The first step involves a preliminary assessment of the family’s socio-economic situation. If there are no grounds to deny recognition as a “state-supported family” or a “poor family,” the application is forwarded to the social worker’s personal account for completion of a detailed questionnaire. Once confirmed by the applicant, the information is automatically sent to the “Mahalla Seven” information module.

After receiving the conclusion from the “Mahalla Seven,” the Unified Information System of Social Protection conducts a final socio-economic assessment within three working days. The family’s average monthly per capita income is calculated by dividing the total income of all family members over the past three months by the number of family members and by three.

Families are classified into categories: “state-supported family,” “poor family,” and “family at the poverty line.” Questionnaires are updated every 12 months for state-supported families and every six months for poor families.

The regulation also establishes the procedure for developing individual plans for families included in the Social Registry, as well as for the assignment and payment of child benefits and financial assistance. Individual plans are developed within ten working days from the moment of inclusion in the Registry. Within three working days, the local hokim’s assistant together with a social worker forms the plan via the “Online Mahalla” platform, taking into account family capabilities, skills, interests, housing conditions, and stated service needs.

The plan specifies the services provided, delivery procedures, deadlines, and responsible state bodies. After formation, it is communicated to an adult family member. The “Mahalla Seven” reviews the plan within two working days and either approves it or returns it for revision. Implementation is monitored by the hokim’s assistant and social worker at least once every three months.

Applications for benefits or assistance can be submitted through public service centers, social workers, or independently via the “Social Card” mobile app, no more than once per month. Applications submitted by the 16th of the month are processed within the current month; after the 16th — in the following month.

If approved, payments are made automatically through the “Unified Registry” starting from the month following approval. Benefits are assigned to families in the “state-supported” and “poor” categories until they exit the category, while families on the poverty line receive assistance for six months from inclusion.

For families reclassified from “state-supported” or “poor” to “poverty line,” benefits are assigned without a new application and depend on average monthly income per family member. Payments are as follows: 75% of the standard benefit for incomes from 1 to 1.25 times the minimum living wage, and 50% for incomes from 1.25 to 1.5 times the minimum living wage.

This procedure aims to systematize social support, ensure timely benefits, and provide individualized assistance to families based on their socio-economic needs.