The government has approved the conditions for granting, temporarily suspending and fully terminating state benefits and social payments. Under the new rules, the social situation of citizens and the welfare level of the family will be assessed. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

In what cases is benefit payment suspended?

According to the government resolution, conditions have been established for the temporary suspension and full termination of 10 types of state benefits and social payments. Among them are the benefit related to the birth of a child, the childcare payment, the benefit for large families, payments for loss of breadwinner and disability, as well as the benefit for persons caring for a person with a disability.

Benefit payment may be temporarily suspended in the following cases:

  • 01absence of expenditure transactions on the recipient's bank account for three months or more;
  • 02departure of the recipient from Kazakhstan for permanent residence abroad;
  • 03the recipient serving a sentence of imprisonment under a court verdict;
  • 04the recipient living in a center for the provision of special social services in inpatient conditions with full state support;
  • 05the presence of a document confirming the recipient is missing, or a court decision recognizing them as missing;
  • 06expiry of the validity of the identity document of a foreign citizen or the kandas certificate;
  • 07the presence of a document confirming the death of the recipient.

Special requirements also apply to the benefit for large families. If one of the children in the family turns 18, the conditions for granting the payment are reviewed. If the child studies at a college or university full-time, the benefit payment may continue in accordance with the requirements established by law. If studies are discontinued, the right to payment is reviewed. Also, if a parent is deprived of the right to raise a child, the procedure for paying the benefit may change in accordance with the requirements of the law.

In what cases is the childcare benefit terminated?

The rules also specify the grounds for fully terminating the childcare benefit. They are:

  • 01death of the child;
  • 02the child being taken into full state support;
  • 03the applicant providing false or incorrect information;
  • 04loss or termination of Kazakhstan citizenship by the recipient;
  • 05deprivation of parental rights or restriction of their rights;
  • 06recognition of an adoption decision as invalid or its annulment;
  • 07release or removal of the guardian from performing their duties.

For payments for disability, loss of breadwinner, special state benefit and payments to mothers of many children, the grounds for termination established by law also apply. And the benefit paid to a person caring for a person with a disability may be terminated when the disability group changes or when the person with a disability themselves submits a corresponding application.

How is social situation assessed?

The social welfare of a family or citizen is assessed across five levels:

  • 01Group A — high level;
  • 02Group B — affluent level;
  • 03Group C — satisfactory level;
  • 04Group D — economically vulnerable level;
  • 05Group E — economically and socially vulnerable level.

The social situation of the family is assessed on the basis of the Digital Family Card. According to the rules, the right to receive benefits of citizens classified in groups A and B may be restricted. If the social situation of a family that previously received payment improves, the benefit may be temporarily suspended. The welfare of the family is reassessed monthly. If a citizen's social situation changes and they are classified in one of groups C, D or E, benefit payment may be resumed in accordance with the requirements provided by law.

Personal data of citizens is collected

According to the government resolution, when granting a benefit, adult family members and citizens applying for the payment must consent to the collection and verification of their personal data. During the verification, information related to banking secrecy and other secrets protected by law, as well as information obtained from the credit bureau, may be used. It includes data on the amount of debt on a loan, the size of the monthly payment, overdue debt and the remaining debt. This information is used to assess the socio-economic situation of the family.

Whose social situation is not checked?

The social welfare assessment system does not apply to certain types of benefits. These include:

  • 01state benefit for awarded mothers of many children receiving an old-age pension;
  • 02state social benefit paid to children with disabilities and persons with disabilities of the first or second group;
  • 03state social benefit for loss of breadwinner assigned to children who have lost both parents;
  • 04special state benefit paid to citizens receiving an old-age pension;
  • 05special professional state benefit.

The government resolution comes into force on January 1, 2027.