Cabinet approves social support for the heating season: electricity allowance for non-gasified areas raised to 350 kWh

Higher allowance for areas without gas

By a resolution of October 31, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan approved mechanisms of social support for the population during the transition of the fuel and energy sector to market principles; the document came into force on November 1, 2026. Gazeta reports this citing the resolution published on lex.uz.

What changes for consumers

The main practical change concerns residents of areas where there is no natural gas or its supply is difficult: during the heating season, their base electricity consumption allowance increases from 200 to 350 kWh per month. For all other household consumers, the allowance remains at 200 kWh. Outside the heating season, the base allowance is 200 kWh, including for non-gasified areas. The season's duration varies: in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region it runs from October to February, in other regions from November to February. Under the tariffs, where the first 200 kWh cost 650 sums and volumes above the allowance up to 500 kWh cost 900 sums, consuming 350 kWh per month will cost 227,500 sums instead of 265,000 without the raised allowance — a saving of 37,500 sums per month.

How the lists of houses are determined

The Ministry of Energy, Hududgaztaminot and Hududiy Electro Tarmoqlari must submit proposals annually on the lists of houses in areas without gas or with difficult supply. The lists are approved by the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, the khokimiyats of the regions and Tashkent, after which they are passed on to gas supply and electricity grid organizations.

One-time assistance of 1 million sums

In November 2026, certain categories of needy families are entitled, under a presidential decree, to one-time assistance of 1 million sums. Families in the Social Register are eligible, as well as families outside the register with an average monthly per capita income of no more than 1.43 million sums (twice the minimum consumer expenditures). For residents of apartment buildings with central heating in Tashkent, the threshold is higher — 2.145 million sums. Assistance will also go to lonely elderly citizens and people with disabilities who need outside care, and to families with orphaned children. In individual cases, families with incomes above the thresholds may also receive assistance by decision of district and city headquarters.

Payment deadlines

The 'mahalla seven' prepares additional lists by November 10; by November 12 they are passed to the Inson centers; incomes are verified by November 15; the final list is formed by November 19; by November 20 the Social Protection Agency sends payment lists to financial agents; and by November 30 the money must be transferred via the People's Bank and Aloqabank to social or bank cards. The additional lists, based on the main need criterion, may include no more than 50% of the number of families in the district's or city's Social Register.

Compensations extended and expanded

The compensation of the difference between tariffs within the base allowance and above it has been extended until April 1, 2028, and the income threshold for families outside the Social Register has been raised from 1.5 to 2 minimum consumer expenditures — from 1,072,500 to 1,430,000 sums. For them, an automated check based on state information systems is provided. The coal compensation — 300,000 sums per ton, but no more than 600,000 per year — can now also be received by families outside the Social Register with an income of up to 1.43 million sums per person; purchases must be made through the mycoal.uz platform. The coal expense reimbursement program has been extended until January 1, 2029. The criteria for assistance from the Sahovat va Kumak fund for utilities and fuel have also been expanded.