APPROACHES TO BUILDING A PROACTIVE TARGETED SOCIAL ASSISTANCE SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Currently, comprehensive approaches aimed at developing modern forms of social protection, reactive and proactive measures of state social policy are based on the provisions of the concept of adaptability of social assistance (ASA). An adaptive approach to social protection requires that all developed ASA mechanisms be based on a developed legal and institutional framework. This should ensure both the stability of the program and the recognition of beneficiaries as rights holders. At the same time, the authors understand the proactive mechanism of targeted social assistance as preventing the deterioration of the social and economic situation of households in a vulnerable position and supporting their integration into society.
Based on in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey of experts (professionals employed in the social protection system of the country's population), as well as questionnaires of recipients of targeted social assistance, a number of scientific results were obtained, namely: a portrait of an ASA recipient was compiled with regard to the targeted social assistance system operating in Kazakhstan; features of the ASA system influencing the degree of targeting of assistance were determined; features and problems of the current system of conditional cash transfers were identified when assessing its ability to solve the problem of poverty in Kazakhstan. The authors propose using such a system for providing targeted social assistance, the elements of which are four blocks: 1. Early identification of the circle of people at risk. 2. A system of targeted social assistance focused on expenses. 3. Social integration. 4. Prevention.