Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Starting from the next heating season, Uzbekistan will provide financial assistance to low-income families and compensate for energy costs exceeding the subsidized tariff. This decision was announced in a decree by the President of Uzbekistan.

The program, which will run from 1 May 2025 to 1 April 2027, will apply to families receiving social benefits through the "Unified Social Protection Registry" (with an income of less than 669,000 soums) and those listed in the Poverty Registry (with an income of less than 1.15 million soums).

Additionally, the program will cover families where per capita income does not exceed 1.5 times the minimum consumer spending amount (around 1 million soums).

Under the new initiative, the government will reimburse the difference in the cost of electricity and natural gas if consumption exceeds the social norms.

For electricity, the compensation will apply to consumption from the base norm up to 150 kWh per month (with a maximum of 350 kWh), and for natural gas in the heating season, up to 250 cubic meters above the norm, and 150 cubic meters during other months.

If a family exceeds these norms, the government will cover the cost difference for energy resources. Previously, compensation was only provided during the heating season, but starting in May 2025, it will be available year-round.

In 2025–2026, by presidential decree, a one-time material assistance of 1 million soums will be provided in November to families listed in the "Unified Social Protection Registry" or the Poverty Registry, as well as those not registered but in need of assistance. In these cases, aid will be granted based on the decision of the "Mahalla Seven."

When compiling additional lists of needy families, categories such as families who have lost a breadwinner, families with individuals with disabilities (I and II groups), caregivers of children with disabilities, and families with elderly or single individuals in need of care will be considered. Also included will be families living in apartment buildings without gas or central heating, as well as those residing in apartments with three or more families. However, the number of families in the additional list cannot exceed 40% of the number of families already registered in state registries.

According to the National Social Protection Agency, as of March 2025, there are 746,100 low-income families in Uzbekistan. Regional administrations, together with the agency, have been instructed to prepare additional lists of needy families in each mahalla by October 1 of this year.

Regarding energy tariffs, starting from 1 May 2025, new prices will be introduced for electricity and natural gas. The new tariffs for electricity will be as follows: up to 200 kWh per month — 600 soums per kWh, from 201 to 1000 kWh — 1000 soums, from 1001 to 5000 kWh — 1500 soums, from 5001 to 10000 kWh — 1750 soums, and for consumption over 10,000 kWh — 2000 soums.

For natural gas, the tariffs will be as follows: from November to February (heating season), the price will be 1000 soums per cubic meter for up to 500 cubic meters per month, 1800 soums for 501 to 2500 cubic meters, 2100 soums for 2501 to 5000 cubic meters, 2500 soums for 5001 to 10,000 cubic meters, and 3000 soums for over 10,000 cubic meters.

From March to October, for household consumers, the rates will be: 1000 soums per cubic meter for up to 100 cubic meters, 1800 soums for 101 to 2500 cubic meters, 2100 soums for 2501 to 5000 cubic meters, 2500 soums for 5001 to 10,000 cubic meters, and 3000 soums for over 10,000 cubic meters.