This study analyses the barriers to accessing social assistance in Kazakhstan, with a focus on vulnerable children, including children with disabilities.

We worked with UNICEF Kazakhstan to assess the barriers faced by low-income and vulnerable families with children in accessing poverty-targeted social assistance (Targeted Social Assistance (TSA) and the State Child Allowance (SCA)). The study focuses on children living in households (rather than those residing in institutions), and, with respect to access to special services, on children with disabilities. The study is based on a large household survey and semi-structured interviews in three of the country’s regions. The study offers recommendations to overcome barriers to accessing social assistance and feeds into the social policy reforms scheduled for 2018.