State to fully support people with disabilities under new poverty-reduction plan

The meeting reviewed progress in reducing poverty and improving employment, as well as the key priorities for the coming year. Officials emphasized the need to strengthen social protection for vulnerable families.

“Let everyone hear this: from now on, people with limited ability to earn income and those with disabilities will no longer be included in the poverty registry. Their support will be fully taken over by the state,” the president said.

The new program aims to secure employment for 40,000 people with disabilities starting from 2026. As part of this effort, the Employment Fund will allocate interest-free loans of up to UZS 30 million to support their economic activity.

Families facing a high risk of slipping back into poverty will continue receiving social assistance and benefits. They will maintain access to material support and child benefits for six months. In addition, they will be able to use 110 types of social services, including kindergarten and extracurricular activity expenses, as well as medical treatment vouchers, for an additional 12 months.

Furthermore, authorities will proactively identify households at high risk of poverty due to difficult life circumstances and provide them with targeted support.

Oversight of these tasks, along with coordination with regional governors, has been assigned to Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection.