In 2015 persons with disabilities made up 2.1 per cent of the population of Tajikistan, or than 160,000 women, men and children accross the country. In order to ensure access to income security for this vulnerable group, the Government of Tajikistan provides a disability allowance, administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
Tajikistan's disability allowance is a non-contributory, targeted cash transfer available to children younger than 16 years of age, those with disabilities since childhood and those who acquired a disability while in military service. In addition, those who acquired a disability as adults are eligible to receive a national disability pension. In order to be eligible for the disability allowance and disability pension, claimants must undergo an assessment carried out by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The disability pension is then distributed to those assessed as totally disabled and partially disabled with reduced ability to work. In 2012 more than 26,000 children were officially registered with disabilities and all received the monthly allowance, currently valued at TJS 104, or approximately USD 16.
Tajikistan's disability schemes are upheld by the Law on Pension Provision of Citizens of Tajikistan, which guarantees monthly payments to persons with disabilities, and the Law on Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities. While Tajikistan's disability allowance and national disability pension schemes are universal in nature, the monthly transfer amount has not been adjusted or increased to reflect inflation rates. Nonetheless, Tajikistan's disability schemes form an important part of the national social protection floor and towards ensuring access to income support for all, including those with disabilities.
Further Reading:
- United Nations Children’s Fund (2011). Tajikistan Country Profile. Accessed from: http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/TA_Country_profile_eng_31July_NEW.pdf on February 18 2016.