The reduction of the maximum period for unemployment benefit payments in Kazakhstan has been postponed: instead of October 1, 2026, as previously announced, the change will take effect on January 1, 2027. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population reported this, according to infohub.kz.
According to the ministry's press service, starting October 1 the ministry will begin phased work to improve its approach to serving citizens seeking employment. A pilot project will be launched in the country to test an updated algorithm for assisting citizens, along with training for specialists at career centers and branches of the State Social Insurance Fund.
The main goal of the new approach is to make employment assistance more targeted, higher quality and focused above all on actually getting citizens into jobs.
"One of the key changes will be extending the period for searching for suitable work before a person is granted unemployed status — from 2 to 13 days. This period will allow career center specialists to more thoroughly determine a citizen's professional experience, skills and needs, carry out profiling, select suitable vacancies and organize interaction with employers. As a result, a citizen's visit to a career center will be treated not as a formal registration procedure, but as a full career path whose ultimate goal is employment," the ministry said.
The pilot project will also serve as a stage of practical preparation for the employment system ahead of further changes. During the pilot, specialists at career centers and branches of the State Social Insurance Fund will undergo additional training on updated business processes and algorithms for working with citizens.
"During the pilot, the social benefit for loss of employment is provided in accordance with the current procedure. Citizens entitled to this benefit retain the ability to receive it under the conditions established by law. The corresponding amendments to the Social Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan are provided for by a Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved on June 11, 2026. From January 1, 2027, the maximum period for providing the social benefit for loss of employment will be up to three months in accordance with the conditions established by law. Thus, October 1, 2026 is the start date of the pilot stage to improve the work of the employment service and extend the period for searching for suitable work to 13 days, while changes directly to the duration of the social benefit for loss of employment take effect on January 1, 2027," the Ministry of Labor said.
It is reported that before the legislative changes take effect, the ministry will organize broad information and outreach work in all regions of the country.
Recall that we previously reported that Kazakhstanis can apply for "unemployment benefits" if they lose their jobs. At that time it was reported that from October 1, payments could be received for three months.