The Majilis approved the draft law on social protection of certain categories of citizens
Deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the first reading approved the draft law "On Amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on social protection of certain categories of citizens".
The document was presented to the majilismen by the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Shapkenov. At the beginning of his speech, he noted that this bill was developed as part of the implementation of the National Plan to Ensure the Rights and Improve the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities until 2025.
"The draft law was developed to improve the legislation on social protection of certain categories of citizens, including such categories as persons with disabilities, families raising disabled children, labor veterans, and others. It should be noted that these norms are supported by the Nur Otan party and are reflected in the election platform," the minister said.
According to Shapkenov, the document provides for the introduction of benefits to citizens caring for persons with disabilities of group I, regardless of the cause of disability.
"Currently, out of 66 thousand people with a group I disabilities, every third person is not provided with either a care allowance or the services of an individual assistant. As a result of the adoption of the bill, the care allowance will cover an additional 24 thousand people who need constant outside care, " the head of the MTSZN said.
Taking into account the degree of health disorders and limitations of the child's life, the bill provides for the division of children aged 7 to 16 years into disability groups. This measure will allow differentiating the provided rehabilitation measures and social assistance, including in terms of the number of benefits, depending on the severity of the disease of children.
At the same time, the number of benefits for all groups of children with disabilities will be increased from 16.7% to 37%. This measure will affect more than 30 thousand children with disabilities.
The draft law also provides for the right to simultaneously receive disability and survivor benefits. This will increase the income level of families who have lost a breadwinner and have children with disabilities.
"Currently, children with disabilities can receive alimony and disability benefits at the same time when their parent's divorce. However, upon the death of one or two parents (breadwinners), the child can receive either a disability allowance or a survivor's allowance. With the introduction of this norm, 2 thousand children will be able to receive a survivor's allowance (the amount from 41,163 to 48,023 tenge) on an equal basis with disability benefits (the amount from 12,063 to 29,500 tenge)," Serik Shapkenov explained.
Another novelty of the draft law is the provision of technical means (hereinafter referred to as TSR) and rehabilitation services at the expense of the state for persons who have received a disability from labor injury, in case of inability to fulfill obligations by the employer.
Currently, in the event of the termination of the activity of an employer – an individual entrepreneur or the liquidation of a legal entity, these obligations pass to the state. At the same time, disabled people are deprived of the opportunity to receive TSR during the suspension (inaction) of the company's activities or during the bankruptcy proceedings, which can last up to 1.5 years. During this period, a person who has received a disability at work remains without technical means of rehabilitation.
This measure will allow timely coverage of up to 2 thousand people with technical means and rehabilitation services.
At the same time, the document provides for the preservation of the right of families raising children with disabilities to be on the waiting list for housing after the child reaches the age of majority.
"In practice, such families are waiting in line for housing for up to 10 years. If it is not possible to get housing before the child reaches the age of 18, then the disabled person has to re-join the queue. It is assumed that this norm will allow more than 20 thousand families to keep the queue for housing, " the minister said.
In addition, the bill is supposed to extend the period of care for a disabled child to 18 years, which will have a positive impact on the appointment of age pension payments and basic pensions.
It also provides for the transfer of the guaranteed social package to children from low-income families on the Social Services Portal.
In addition, other norms are included that are aimed at improving the efficiency and targeting of the provision of special social services.
The adoption of the bill will have a positive impact on the social protection system of the population and will improve the rights of about 400 thousand Kazakhstanis.
The draft law is provided with the necessary funding for 55 billion tenge. The cost standards will be implemented within the allocated funds for 2021-2023.