New parameters for assigning social welfare payments are proposed in Kazakhstan. The country’s Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Tamara Duissenova presented the Draft Social Code in the Mazhilis. According to her, the poverty line for the appointment of the targeted social assistance in the country will now be determined by the median income, instead of the subsistence level. Such an approach is used by a number of foreign states. In addition, as part of strengthening social support for families with children or persons with special needs, the Draft Code envisages a complete transformation of the social service system.
“It foresees the involvement of family members in providing services to a person with disability. Its relatives will be registered as personal assistants or social workers with corresponding pay and social contributions. The development of new standards for social services and introduction of per capita standard are also being considered. Only the certified professionals who have passed an independent qualification assessment will be involved in social work,” Duissenova said.
The Minister placed an emphasis on the Digital Family Map or a personalized database of Kazakh families, which is an important component of the Social Code. It is formed on the basis of all existing information systems of state bodies and at the first stage includes data on more than six million families, or over 19 million Kazakh citizens. Duissenova further explained its impact on the well-being of the population.
“Using the Alkire-Foster method, which was recommended by the UNDP, we assessed the degree of each family's well-being and divided them into five categories. As a result, we were able to assess the effectiveness of the measures of the social policy, which is currently being implemented, and its impact on the well-being of families. At the same time, we had the opportunity to determine what type of state assistance is needed for families and their members,” she added.
