Uzbekistan will pay one-time assistance of 1 million soms to needy families

Support measures are being introduced in Uzbekistan for low-income families aimed at covering expenses related to heating and utility services during the winter period. In November, these families will receive a one-time payment of one million sums, and the criteria for receiving compensation for electricity, gas, and coal payments will also be revised.

These steps have been implemented based on the president's decree and are intended to assist residents during the heating season. The one million sum payment is addressed to families listed in the Social Register, as well as those who meet the established requirements but are not yet included in this register. Factors such as the family's per capita income and housing conditions are taken into account when assessing eligibility.

Families whose average income per person does not exceed twice the minimum consumer expenditure (MCE), which is approximately 1.4 million sums, can receive this assistance. However, special rules apply to residents of apartment buildings with centralized heating: in Karakalpakstan and other regions, the average per capita income must not exceed twice the MCE, whereas in Tashkent, this threshold is increased to three times the MCE.

In exceptional cases, support may be provided to families with incomes above the established limits if it is decided by the district or city headquarters responsible for job creation and increasing the population's income level. Furthermore, assistance is provided for elderly people living alone, citizens with disabilities, individuals requiring care, and families raising orphans and children left without parental care.

The decree also provides for an increase in the maximum average income threshold at which families can expect various forms of social support. Regarding compensation for electricity and natural gas consumption, the threshold will be raised from 1.5 to two MCEs. When allocating funds for purchasing coal, this indicator will increase from one to two MCEs. A similar criterion applies to reimbursing utility payments and repaying debts through the 'Sahovat va Kumak' fund, as well as compensating fuel costs.

The deadlines for providing some types of assistance have also been extended. Compensation for the difference between tariffs within the basic norm of electricity and gas consumption and tariffs for excess consumption will be paid until April 1, 2028. Payments for partial reimbursement of coal purchase costs have been extended until the beginning of 2029. Previously, local authorities in Uzbekistan decided to increase the basic consumption norm for electricity for territories not connected to gas or experiencing gas supply interruptions, raising it from 200 to 350 kilowatt-hours per month.

In November 2026, Uzbekistan will provide a one-time financial support of 1 million soums to low-income families who meet the criteria. This measure is introduced as part of the expansion of social protection for the 2026/2027 heating season, according to a presidential decree.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed this decree on October 28, 2026. It provides for additional support measures for vulnerable households against the backdrop of the country's gradual transition to market mechanisms in the fuel and energy sector.

The decree establishes the possibility of direct cash payments, expands the selection criteria for state assistance, and extends existing programs for compensating household energy costs. The main recipients of the one-time payment will be families included in the Social Register.

Households not registered in the system can also apply for assistance if they meet the established financial requirements, which are determined after an assessment conducted by the local 'mahalla seven' body.

Criteria for receiving aid

General selection conditions require that the average per capita income of the household does not exceed twice the threshold of minimum consumer expenses. However, there are separate limits for families living in apartment buildings connected to centralized heating systems.

In the regions of Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan, the maximum permissible income is double the threshold of minimum consumer expenses per person. In Tashkent, this limit is increased to three times this threshold.

The decree also allows financially vulnerable families whose income exceeds these limits to receive aid, provided their applications are approved by the district or city administrations responsible for creating sustainable employment and increasing household incomes.

Other eligible individuals include elderly people living alone and people with disabilities who require assistance from others and are included in the relevant register. Financial aid is also extended to families raising orphans and children deprived of parental care.

Expansion of existing social support measures

In addition to the November payments, the decree increases the allowable threshold for average per capita income to receive compensation for electricity and natural gas costs—it has been raised from 1.5 to twice the minimum consumer expenses level. A similar increase has occurred for the income criterion related to assistance in purchasing coal, which is now up to twice the minimum consumer expenses level.

The same adjustment applies to the financial support provided through the 'Sahovat va Kumak' fund. Funds from this fund can be used to repay utility debts, cover current household expenses, and purchase fuel.

Furthermore, the decree extends the validity of several existing social protection measures aimed at reducing the financial burden of energy costs for vulnerable groups. Compensation covering the difference between basic and higher tariffs for electricity and natural gas will be available until April 1, 2028.

Financial aid intended for partial compensation of coal purchase costs has been extended until January 1, 2029. These measures are designed to increase the number of low-income households receiving state support and mitigate the consequences of Uzbekistan's gradual transition to market tariffs for energy resources. The decree combines urgent winter aid with long-term compensation mechanisms, providing financial support to needy families throughout the process of changing the country's pricing system.

According to a statement from the country's Ministry of Health press service, families of 88 children affected by the use of the drugs Doc-1 Max and Ambronol in Uzbekistan received a total compensation of 80 billion sums.

In accordance with executive documents issued by the Tashkent Criminal Court, the Enforcement Bureau was supposed to collect 82 billion sums in compensation for the families of 90 affected children.

Initially, an amount of 16.8 billion sums was paid, which accounts for about 20% of the awarded sum. The remaining funds were not received by the families for a long time due to delays in selling property seized from the responsible persons.

To speed up the payment process, the President of Uzbekistan instructed the authorities to ensure full compensation for the material and moral damage suffered by the affected families. A total of 65.2 billion sums was allocated from the state budget to fulfill this instruction.

Of the 80 billion sums already paid, 72.2 billion sums were transferred to the families of 72 deceased children. Another 7.8 billion sums was transferred to the families of 16 children who have undergone or are undergoing treatment.

The remaining 2 billion sums are intended for two other children. The Ministry of Health reported that these payments will be made after resolving technical issues related to bank cards.

It is expected that the funds allocated from the state budget will be returned to the national budget through revenue from the sale of property belonging to the responsible parties, as well as other amounts collected from them.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Ministry of Health and other government agencies, together with doctors from national medical centers, are visiting the affected families to take steps to provide additional medical and psychological support to the children.