Assignment of targeted state social assistance

What is targeted state social assistance and what are the basic concepts?

Targeted State Social Assistance (TSA) is financial support provided by the state to low-income families.

Need criterion is the limit approved annually along with the state budget to determine eligibility for TSA, based on the subsistence level for the main socio-demographic groups of the population.

Family refers to individuals related by kinship or other legally defined ties, living together, sharing a common household, or living alone.

Family income includes all types of income received by family members, such as gifts, cash and in-kind income, as well as income from property or personal subsidiary plots owned by the family.

Average monthly family income means the calculated monthly average of a family's total income.

Low-income family is a family whose average monthly income per member falls below the total amount of the need criterion for each family member

Families eligible for social assistance

Low-income families residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan, whose average monthly income for the last 12 (twelve) months prior to the application is less than the total of the need criteria for each family member, are entitled to receive TSA. The amount of the assistance is equal to the difference between the total need criteria and the family’s average monthly income.

The following conditions may affect a family's eligibility or calculation of income:

• Disability of a family member;
• An able-bodied family member caring for:
• a person with a first-degree disability,
• a child under the age of 8,
• or a child under the age of 18 with disabilities;
• Full-time education of able-bodied family members under the age of 23;
• Receipt of unemployment insurance benefits by an able-bodied family member in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Unemployment Insurance”;
• Death of a family member;
• Declaration of a family member as missing or deceased by a court;
• Imprisonment of a family member;
• When the whereabouts of the family member are unknown.

What should be done to receive targeted state social assistance?

An adult and able-bodied person representing the family may apply for targeted state social assistance. In the absence of such a person, the application can be submitted by a non-family guardian (trustee), foster carer (assistant), or proxy.

To apply, the following documents are required:

• A certificate of family composition;
• A notarized application prepared by a notary with the consent of all family members.

The next step is to access the Targeted Assistance Subsystem (VEMTAS), complete the required information electronically, and submit the application by confirming it at the end.

VEMTAS then verifies the information provided in the "Application-Declaration" through the E-Government portal, using special software to coordinate with the databases and systems of relevant government agencies.

Terms

Applications for social assistance are investigated by VEMTAS within 15 (fifteen) working days and a decision is made on the appointment or denial of social assistance.

Social assistance is granted for a period of 1 (one) year from the 1st of the month in which you apply for it.

If the amount of social assistance is not withdrawn from the card account by the family within 2 (two) consecutive months, the provision of social assistance by VEMTAS is suspended and the family's right to receive social assistance is reconsidered at the request of the Representative.

If there is a change in the family's income after the appointment of social assistance, the family receiving social assistance must notify VEMTAS electronically within 15 (fifteen) working days.

In case of violation of the requirements of Clause 10.2 of the Law on targeted state social assistance, the family loses the right to receive social assistance for a period of 1 (one) year.

Social assistance is denied for one of the following reasons:

• When there are discrepancies in the information provided in the “Application-Declaration”;
• If the family's average monthly income for the 12 (twelve) consecutive months prior to the application is equal to or exceeds the total of the need criteria for each family member;
• If the family owns or uses a vehicle (excluding vehicles provided by the state for rehabilitation purposes);
• If an able-bodied, unemployed family member refuses two suitable job offers provided by the relevant structural unit of the State Employment Agency (in such cases, the family may reapply for social assistance after 1 (one) month);
• If the family’s average monthly per capita utility and communication expenses equal or exceed 15 (fifteen) percent of the approved national subsistence minimum;
• If the family owns 2 or more real estate of the same purpose at different addresses.

The following family members are not included in the family when determining social assistance

• Persons under full state care (including residents of orphanages and boarding schools, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and children under 18 with disabilities residing in social service or special educational institutions);
• Individuals currently performing active military service;
• Persons serving sentences in penitentiary institutions;
• Individuals who are officially wanted;
• Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan not residing within the country;
• Foreigners (except those with permanent residency status in the Republic of Azerbaijan).