Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Low-income families and citizens of Uzbekistan will begin to receive social assistance from May this year in response to increased tariffs for electricity and gas.

According to the press service of the National Social Protection Agency, by 1 May, a review of the minimum consumer expenditures (MCP) will be carried out, taking into account the increase in prices for fuel and energy resources. This will entail a revision of the minimum pension and social benefits, which number about one million recipients.

It should be remined that from 1 February, the minimum pension was increased to the level of the minimum consumer basket and amounted to 621,000 soums.

By the beginning of the next heating season, it is planned to pay a one-time compensation in the amount of 270,000 soums to families who receive child benefits and financial assistance through the Unified Register of Social Protection. It is noted that the compensation will affect approximately 1.5 million citizens in need.

Also, more than 200 thousand families that are not included in the “Unified Register of Social Protection” will receive one-time compensation. These payments will be made based on the conclusions of the “makhalla seven” after conducting a door-to-door survey.

It is worth mentioning that if a family in need uses energy resources in excess of the established norm (up to 250 cubic meters of gas and up to 150 kWh of electricity per month), the excess will be covered by the state. To receive such compensation, families must apply to the Inson Social Services Center.

These compensation payments are made through the National Social Protection Agency from the state budget.

From 1 May 2024, new tariffs for electricity and gas will be introduced in Uzbekistan, and social standards for the consumption of these resources will be established.