Gov’t to start transferring pensions and benefits to social cards from December 1

On July 18, Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved measures to digitalize the social support system, the legal information channel of the Justice Ministry reported.

The assignment of social services and payments, their provision, monitoring and evaluation of their effectiveness is planned to be automated step by step. For this purpose, it was instructed to introduce the “Social card” information system.

The issuance of cards should save needy citizens from collecting documents. It is expected that the new system will simplify and speed up the provision of social assistance, as well as make the process more targeted.

The cards will also simplify interaction between the state and business in the provision of social services. As part of the implementation of the social insurance system, it is planned to develop digital services.

From December 1, newly assigned pensions and other payments will be credited to social cards. Upon their presentation, services and benefits will be provided.

Starting from April 1, 2025, social card holders will be able to use them for benefits when traveling by road (including line taxis), trains, planes, and river transport. With their help, you can attend concerts and other events for free or at a discount.

In addition, social cards will gradually replace disability certificates, student certificates, certificates of war veterans and persons equivalent to them to identify privileged categories of the population.

From July 2025, it has been instructed to provide one-day VAT refunds to persons included in the Unified Register of Social Security. The measure applies to purchases of meat, eggs, vegetable oil, and medicines.

Starting from October 1, the provision of social guarantees, services and assistance, subsidies, grants, benefits and payments to citizens in accordance with the schedule approved by the Cabinet of Ministers will be carried out through the “Social Card” system.

At the same time, persons receiving pensions for age, disability and loss of a breadwinner will be able to transfer them to a social card. From the beginning of 2026, the use of all benefits will be linked to social cards.