Who and how can receive assistance for home repairs after a fire or natural disaster in Uzbekistan?

Citizens of Uzbekistan whose homes were damaged by fires, floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies are entitled to social assistance for housing restoration, subject to certain conditions, according to the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

To receive assistance after a fire, a certificate from the State Services Center is required. In the case of a flood, earthquake, or other natural disaster, a report prepared by the damage assessment working group is required in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 747 of November 25, 2020.

Social assistance is provided to families included in the Social Registry, provided that the average monthly total income per family member does not exceed twice the minimum consumer expenditure.

Given the current minimum consumer expenditure of 715,000 soums per person per month, the income limit for receiving assistance is 1.43 million soums per family member.

The benefit amount can reach 150 times the basic calculation value (BCA). With the current BCA of 412,000 soums, the maximum assistance amount is 61.8 million soums.

Assistance can be provided multiple times, depending on need, and can be received in one of three ways.

In the first case, funds for repairs are transferred to the Infrastructure and Social Stability Fund based on lists compiled by district or city khokimiyats.

In the second case, repairs are carried out by district or city public works departments or by Mahalla Servis Kompaniyasi.

In the third case, the recipient carries out the repairs themselves. They are also provided a voucher for the purchase of building materials worth up to 85% of the social assistance amount. Materials are purchased through the Uzum Market e-commerce platform.

As an example, the Agency cites a situation in which a family's home was partially damaged by a fire. If a family is not included in the Social Registry but its per capita income is below the minimum consumer expenditure, they can apply for assistance after receiving the necessary documents and a damage assessment.

After receiving a fire report from the State Services Center, the family contacts representatives of the "mahalla seven." After inspecting the property, a report is drawn up indicating the extent of the damage.

If the damage is estimated at 100 BRV, the assistance amount can be 41.2 million soums. If you carry out repairs yourself, a voucher for building materials can be issued for up to 85% of this amount, or up to 35.02 million soums.

The voucher can be used to purchase building materials, including slate, doors, window frames, and other necessary items, only through the e-commerce platform.