The Government of Tajikistan has established a procedure for providing financial assistance to poor citizens and families in difficult situations.

A "difficult life situation" refers to a situation that disrupts the normal functioning of a citizen and which he is unable to overcome on his own.

The main objectives of financial assistance are to support the poor, improve their living conditions, help children from such families in study, and reduce poverty. Assistance can be provided in the form of food, clothing, fuel, medicines, as well as partial or full payment for utilities.

The aid is financed from extra-budgetary funds, as well as through the involvement of entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

 

The mechanism of financial assistance

Financial assistance is provided by local executive authorities to low-income citizens (families) in cases where they need such assistance for the following reasons:

- as a result of natural disasters (earthquake, drought, flood, etc.), man-made disasters and theft of property, material damage was caused to their health or property;

- in case of fire in the living area and utility rooms;

- in case of illness of poor citizens (families);

- if the head of the family is addicted to drugs or the fathers leave the family, by providing a supporting document;

- at the birth of three or more children;

- when temporarily unemployed family members are released from serving a criminal sentence;

- under other circumstances defined in the current legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Poor citizens (families) who are in a difficult life situation submit to the city/district administration (hukumat) an application for financial assistance with the following documents attached:

- certificate of the status of the poor;

- a copy of their passport;

- information about the composition of the family;

- other documents confirming a difficult life situation.

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The application is submitted for consideration to the local commission under the local executive authority, established to implement a mechanism for assigning and paying targeted social benefits to low-income families and citizens. The Commission considers the application no later than 3 working days and, if the fact of the difficult life situation of a poor citizen (family) is confirmed, makes an appropriate decision.

If necessary, the local commission checks (verifies) the applicant's financial and living situation at his place of residence.

Financial assistance to a poor citizen (family) is provided no more than twice during a calendar year. Other types of assistance provided by international organizations to poor families are not limited to the new Order.

When poor citizens (families) apply for financial assistance, the authorized state agency for the provision of targeted social assistance ensures financial assistance in the form of medicines, sanitary and hygienic products or medical services. The provision of medical care and medicines to them is carried out in accordance with the Procedure for the provision of medical and sanitary services to citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan by institutions of the State health system, approved by the Decree of the Government of Tajikistan dated December 2, 2008.