The Ministry of Labor has clarified the timeline for changes to social benefits for job loss: the maximum payment period will be cut to three months starting January 1, 2027, not October 1, 2026, as previously reported, according to infohub.kz.
Only the pilot phase for overhauling employment services will begin on October 1. Under the pilot, the period for seeking suitable work before a person is granted unemployed status will be extended from two to 13 days.
The Ministry of Labor explained that during this time, career center specialists will be expected to assess applicants' professional experience, skills and needs in greater detail, carry out profiling, match vacancies and engage with employers.
In other words, a citizen's visit to a career center is to be treated not as a formal registration but as a full-fledged pathway to employment.
The pilot also provides for training specialists at career centers and branches of the State Social Insurance Fund. The focus will be on the quality of profiling, vacancy matching, supporting citizens through to employment and accurately recording results in information systems.
During the pilot, however, social benefits for job loss will be awarded under the existing rules. Citizens entitled to them will retain the ability to receive payments on the previous terms.
The changes to the duration of payments will take effect on January 1, 2027. The corresponding amendments to the Social Code are set out in a law dated June 11, 2026.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that the Ministry of Labor had reported a reduction in the maximum period for job-loss benefits to three months from October 1, 2026. At the time, the ministry also said the duration of payments would depend on insurance record: one month for between 6 and 12 months of service, two months for 12 to 24 months, and three months for 24 months or more. In addition, the maximum benefit was to be calculated at 45% of seven minimum wages.