The translation of this document is outdated.
Translation validity: 12.02.2023.–27.09.2023.
Amendments not included:
21.09.2023.
Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre) with amending laws of:
11 August 2022 [shall come
into force on 13 August 2022];
30 August 2022 [shall come into force on 1 September
2022];
29 September 2022 [shall come into force on 1 October
2022];
8 December 2022 [shall come into force on 13 December
2022];
9 February 2023 [shall come into force on 12 February
2023].
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the
date of the amending law appears in square brackets at
the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or
clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears
in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph
or clause.
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The Saeima1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:
Law on Measures
for the Reduction of Exceptional Increase in Energy Resource
Prices
Chapter I
General Provisions
Section 1. Terms Used in the Law
(1) The terms used in the Law which define the compensation
for the electricity system service and the mandatory procurement
component payments shall correspond to the terms used in the
Energy Law and the Electricity Market Law.
(2) The terms used in the Law which define the compensation
for the natural gas trade service payments shall correspond to
the terms used in the Energy Law.
(3) The terms used in the Law which define the compensation
for the centralised heating supply service payments shall
correspond to the terms used in the Energy Law and the law On
Regulators of Public Utilities.
(4) The terms used in the Law which define the granting of a
housing allowance to households correspond to the terms used in
the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance.
(5) The terms used in the Law which define the granting of aid
and the disbursement thereof to the recipients of State social
insurance pensions, special State pensions, service pensions,
compensation for occupational accident, maternity benefits, State
social security benefits, to the persons who have been granted
the status of a refugee or alternative status, and also to other
categories of persons referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two and
Section 8.1, Paragraph two of this Law shall
correspond to the terms used in the laws and regulations
governing the relevant field.
[11 August 2022]
Section 2. Purpose and Scope of
Application of the Law
(1) The purpose of the Law is to mitigate the negative
socio-economic impact of exceptional increase in energy resource
prices on the well-being of the population and the growth of
national economy.
(2) The Law prescribes fixed-term aid measures to mitigate the
negative impact on households and national economy caused by
exceptional increase in energy resource prices.
Section 3. Procedures for Financing
the Aid Measures and the Amount Thereof
(1) In order to ensure the implementation of the fixed-term
aid measures specified in this Law, the Minister for Finance has
the right to increase the appropriation specified in the law On
the State Budget for 2022 in the programme 02.00.00 "Funds for
Unforeseen Events" of the budget unit "74. Funding to be
Reallocated in the Process of Implementation of the Annual State
Budget" and also to make, within the scope of the appropriation
specified in the law to a ministry or another central State
institution, the necessary reallocation of the appropriation
between programmes, sub-programmes, and codes of expenditures
according to economic categories.
(2) The appropriation may be increased for the abovementioned
purpose if the Cabinet has taken a decision and the Budget and
Finance (Tax) Commission of the Saeima has, within five
working days from the time of receipt of the relevant
information, examined it and not objected to the increase in the
appropriation.
(3) The allocated funds are used within the scope of the
current calendar year, except for the State earmarked grants to
local governments for ensuring the disbursement of a housing
allowance in January 2023 for December 2022.
Chapter
II
Measures for the Reduction of Increase in Energy Resource Service
Prices
Section 4. Reduction of the
Electricity System Service Payments
(1) A reduction of the electricity system service payments,
including value added tax, in full amount shall be applied to
final customers of electricity. The reduction shall not be
applied to reactive energy payments, capacity charges of
electricity producers, and recalculations performed in cases of
violations committed by the system users. Any foregone revenues
of the electricity system operator from the system service
payments, including value added tax, are compensated from the
funds from the State budget in full amount.
(2) The reduction of the electricity system service payments
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is applied to the
payments of final customers for the system services in the time
period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022.
(21) A reduction of the electricity system service
payments, including value added tax, shall be applied in full
amount from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, according to the
criteria applicable to the final customer in each billing period,
to final customers of electricity which are legal persons and are
not subject to the application of the system service tariff
intended for households. The reduction shall not be applied to
reactive energy payments, capacity charges of electricity
producers, and recalculations performed in cases of violations
committed by the system users. Any foregone revenues of the
electricity system operator from the system service payments,
including value added tax, are compensated from the funds from
the State budget in full amount.
(3) Paragraphs one and 2.1 of this Section are not
applied to a final customer of electricity if the final customer
is also an electricity system operator.
(31) Paragraph 2.1 of this Section is
not applicable to:
1) State and local government institutions. A distribution
system operator shall verify the status of an institution in the
unified list of public entities and institutions maintained by
the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia;
2) legal persons to which international or national sanctions
or sanctions of a Member State of the European Union or North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation which affect significant financial
and capital market interests have been imposed or the related
natural persons of which are subject to the abovementioned
sanctions.
(4) The electricity system service payments shall be
compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding
the trade and use of electricity issued on the basis of the
Electricity Market Law.
(5) The electricity distribution system operator to the system
of which more than one hundred thousand customers are connected
and the electricity transmission system operator shall, when
calculating tariffs to take effect in 2023, determine the part of
the balance of the regulatory invoice resulting from the
difference between the actual and planned revenues in the
previous regulatory period and the difference between the actual
and planned costs of services of another distribution system of
the distribution system operator, and the difference between the
actual and planned costs of the services of the electricity
transmission system operator in the previous regulatory period as
equal to zero euros.
[30 August 2022; 9 September 2023]
Section 5. Reduction of Payments for
Mandatory Procurement and Capacity Components
(1) A reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and
capacity components, including value added tax, in full amount
shall be applied to final customers of electricity. The reduction
shall not be applied to recalculations performed in cases of
violations committed by final customers of the system. Any
foregone revenues of the public electricity trader for the
reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and capacity
components are compensated from the funds from the State
budget.
(2) The reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and
capacity components specified in Paragraph one of this Section is
applied to the payments of final customers for mandatory
procurement and capacity components in the time period from 1
January 2022 to 30 April 2022.
(21) A reduction of payments for mandatory
procurement and capacity components, including value added tax,
in full amount shall be applied to final customers of electricity
in the time period from 1 September 2022 to 31 December 2022. The
reduction shall not be applied to recalculations performed in
cases of violations committed by final customers of the
system.
(3) The payments for mandatory procurement and capacity
components shall be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet
regulations regarding the trade and use of electricity issued on
the basis of the Electricity Market Law and the law On Regulators
of Public Utilities.
[30 August 2022]
Section 5.1 Reduction of
Payments for the Consumed Electricity
(1) A reduction of payments for the first 100 kilowatt hours
consumed each month shall be applied to a household customer in
the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023 and it shall
be determined as the difference between the average price for the
consumed electricity per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax
in the payment month and also excluding the payments for the
system services and payments specified in other laws and
regulations, and EUR 0.160 per kilowatt hour, excluding value
added tax.
(2) In addition to that specified in Section 4, Paragraph
2.1 of this Law, a reduction of payments shall be
applied to final customers of electricity other than household
customers in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023
and it shall be determined in the amount of 50 per cent of the
difference between the price for electricity consumed per
kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the
payments for the system services and payments specified in other
laws and regulations, and EUR 0.160 per kilowatt hour, excluding
value added tax.
(3) A reduction of payments for the consumed electricity shall
be applied in accordance with the conditions of the trade of
electricity contract or the supply of last resort, including
value added tax, in the amount specified in this Section. Any
foregone revenues of the electricity producer for the reduction
of payments for the consumed electricity are compensated from the
funds from the State budget.
(4) A reduction of payments for the consumed electricity shall
be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations
regarding the trade and use of electricity issued on the basis of
the Electricity Market Law.
[29 September 2022]
Section 6. Reduction of Payments for
the Consumed Natural Gas
(1) A reduction of payments to be applied to the customers
referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the time period
from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022 shall be determined as the
difference between the payment for the consumed natural gas per
kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the
payments for the system services and payments specified in other
laws and regulations, and EUR 0.0340 per kilowatt hour, excluding
value added tax, provided that the amount of the reduction of
payments may not exceed:
1) EUR 0.03045 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax,
if the monthly consumption of natural gas at the gasified object
is from 221 kilowatt hours (21 cubic metres) to 5269 kilowatt
hours (500 cubic metres) (inclusive);
2) EUR 0.02279 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax,
if the monthly consumption of natural gas at the gasified object
exceeds 5269 kilowatt hours (500 cubic metres).
(11) A reduction of payments in the amount of EUR
0.030 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also
excluding the payments for the system services and payments
specified in other laws and regulations, shall be applied to the
users referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the time
period from 1 July 2022 to 30 November 2022 if the monthly
consumption of natural gas in a gasified object is from 221
kilowatt hours (21 cubic metres).
(12) In addition to that specified in Paragraph
1.1 of this Section, a reduction of payments shall be
applied to the customers referred to in Paragraph two of this
Section in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 November
2022 and it shall be determined as the difference between the
payment for the consumed natural gas per kilowatt hour, excluding
value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system
services and payments specified in other laws and regulations,
and EUR 0.10875 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and
also excluding the payments for the system services and payments
specified in other laws and regulations.
(13) A reduction of payments shall be applied to
the customers referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the
time period from 1 December 2022 to 30 April 2023 and it shall be
determined as the difference between the payment for the consumed
natural gas per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also
excluding the payments for the system services and payments
specified in other laws and regulations, and EUR 0.07875 per
kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the
payments for the system services and payments specified in other
laws and regulations.
(2) A reduction of payments shall be applied to household
customers and also customers whose gasified object is a
multi-apartment residential house which includes households, if
the average monthly consumption of natural gas over a 12-month
period is more than 221 kilowatt hours per month (21 cubic metres
per month), for the consumed natural gas in accordance with the
natural gas trade contract or the terms of the supply of last
resort, including value added tax, in the amount specified in
this Section. Any foregone revenues of the natural gas trader or
public trader for the reduction of payments for the consumed
natural gas shall be compensated from the funds from the State
budget.
(3) [11 August 2022]
(4) A reduction of payments for the consumed natural gas shall
be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations
regarding the trade and use of natural gas issued on the basis of
the Energy Law.
[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 8 December
2022]
Section 7. Reduction of the
Centralised Heating Supply Service Payments
(1) A reduction of payments for the heating supply services
ensured using a centralised heating supply system (hereinafter -
the centralised heating supply service), including value added
tax, shall be applied to household customers and thermal energy
customers whose object is a multi-apartment residential house in
the amount specified in this Section in the time period from 1
October 2022 to 30 April 2023. Any foregone revenues of the
heating supply service provider for the reduction of the
centralised heating supply service payments shall be compensated
from the funds from the State budget.
(2) A reduction of the centralised heating supply service
payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer
whose object is a multi-apartment residential house, if the
centralised heating supply service is received thereby from a
heating supply merchant which provides such service for the
tariffs specified by the regulator or for the tariffs intended by
the relevant service provider in accordance with the tariff
calculation methodology specified by the regulator, if a
permission of the regulator has been received, shall be
determined in the amount of 50 per cent of the difference between
the approved tariff for thermal energy in the respective heating
season, if it does not exceed EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, and
the median of the tariff for thermal energy in the amount of EUR
68.00 per megawatt hour. If the approved tariff for thermal
energy exceeds EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, a reduction of
additional payments for a household customer and a thermal energy
customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house for
the tariff exceeding EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour shall be
determined in the amount of 90 per cent of the difference between
the approved tariff for thermal energy in the respective heating
season and EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour.
(21) A reduction of the centralised heating supply
service payments for a household customer and a thermal energy
customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house, if
the thermal energy services are received thereby from a heating
supply service provider other than that referred to in Paragraph
two of this Section, shall be determined in the amount of 50 per
cent of the difference between the tariff for thermal energy
applicable in the relevant month approved by the relevant local
government, if it does not exceed EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour,
and the median of the tariff for thermal energy in the amount of
EUR 68.00 per megawatt hour. If the tariff for thermal energy
approved by the relevant local government exceeds EUR 150.00 per
megawatt hour, a reduction of additional payments for a household
customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a
multi-apartment residential house for the tariff exceeding EUR
150.00 per megawatt hour shall be determined in the amount of 90
per cent of the difference between the tariff for thermal energy
approved by the local government in the respective heating season
and EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour.
(3) A reduction of the centralised heating supply service
payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer
whose object is a multi-apartment residential house, if the
thermal energy services are received thereby from a heating
supply service provider other than that referred to in Paragraphs
two and 2.1 of this Section, shall be determined in
the amount of 50 per cent of the difference between the price of
thermal energy applicable in the relevant month, excluding value
added tax, if it does not exceed EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour,
and the median of the tariff for thermal energy in the amount of
EUR 68.00 per megawatt hour. If the price of thermal energy
charged by the heating supply service provider exceeds EUR 150.00
per megawatt hour but does not exceed EUR 350.00 per megawatt
hour, a reduction of additional payments for a household customer
and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment
residential house for the price which exceeds EUR 150.00 per
megawatt hour shall be determined in the amount of 90 per cent of
the difference between the price of thermal energy applicable in
the relevant month, excluding value added tax, and EUR 150.00 per
megawatt hour.
(4) [11 August 2022]
(5) [11 August 2022]
(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the
State Construction Control Bureau shall compensate the reduction
of the centralised heating supply service payments and supervise
adequacy of the compensation for the reduction of the centralised
heating supply service payments.
[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 9 September
2023]
Section 7.1 Aid to
Households for Partial Compensation of Heating Expenditures if
Electricity, Wood Pellets, Wood Briquettes, Firewood, Liquefied
Petroleum Gas, and Diesel Fuel are Used for Heating
(1) A household that uses wood pellets or wood briquettes for
residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 May
2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value
added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent from the costs for the
purchase of 10 tonnes of wood pellets or briquettes for the price
exceeding EUR 300 per tonne, excluding value added tax, but not
more than EUR 100 per tonne, excluding value added tax.
(2) A household that uses firewood for residential heating has
the right, for the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023,
to receive State aid, including value added tax, in the amount of
50 per cent from the costs for the purchase of 35 loose cubic
metres of firewood for the price exceeding EUR 40 per loose cubic
metre, excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 15 per
loose cubic metre, excluding value added tax.
(3) A household that uses firewood for residential heating
purchased until 31 August 2022 has the right to receive State aid
in the amount of EUR 60.
(4) A household that uses electricity for residential heating
has the right, for the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30
April 2023, to receive State aid, including value added tax, for
electricity consumption above 500 kilowatt hours per month, but
not exceeding 2000 kilowatt hours, in the amount of 50 per cent
of the electricity price exceeding EUR 0.160 per kilowatt hour,
excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 0.100 per
kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax.
(41) A household that uses liquefied petroleum gas
for residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1
May 2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value
added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent of the costs for the
purchase of 1000 kilograms of liquefied petroleum gas for the
price exceeding EUR 0.91 per kilogram, excluding value added tax,
but not more than EUR 1.29 per kilogram, excluding value added
tax.
(42) A household that uses diesel fuel for
residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 May
2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value
added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent of the costs for the
purchase of 4000 litres of marked diesel fuel for the price
exceeding EUR 0.69 per litre, excluding value added tax, but not
more than EUR 2.01 per litre, excluding value added tax.
(5) In order to receive the aid referred to in Paragraphs one,
two, three, four, 4.1, and 4.2 of this
Section (hereinafter - the household aid), the owner, joint
owner, tenant, legal possessor, or administrator engaged in the
management of a multi-apartment residential house with an
individual heating supply system shall, not more than once per
month, electronically, using the e-services portal of local
governments www.epakalpojumi.lv, or in person, using the
administration information system of social assistance and social
services of local governments SOPA (hereinafter - the
administration information system), electronically (signed with a
secure electronic signature), using the official electronic
address, or via e-mail submit to the local government a
submission, indicating therein the given name, surname, personal
identity number of the submitter, contact details of the
administrator and the account number in a credit institution or
the postal settlement system to which the household aid is to be
transferred. The submission shall include self-certification of
existence of the respective residential heating and that other
household members have not submitted a submission for receiving
the aid for the housing referred to in the submission, and also
self-certification of the purchase of firewood in the case
referred to in Paragraph three of this Section. The following
documents shall be appended to the submission:
1) a document certifying the ownership rights or rights of use
of the housing if the relevant information is not at the disposal
of another authority;
2) the residential property management contract (if submitted
by the administrator);
3) the documents certifying the payments made for the purchase
of wood pellets, wood briquettes, firewood, liquefied petroleum
gas, or diesel fuel for one housing in the case referred to in
Paragraphs one, two, 4.1, and 4.2 of this
Section;
4) an electricity bill in the case referred to in Paragraph
four of this Section.
(6) The submission for the household aid shall be submitted
within the following time periods:
1) from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023 for the aid specified
in Paragraphs one and two of this Section;
2) from 1 October 2022 to 30 November 2022 for the aid
specified in Paragraph three of this Section;
3) from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023 for the aid specified
in Paragraph four of this Section;
4) from 15 February 2023 to 30 April 2023 for the aid
specified in Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of this
Section.
(7) If a person submits a submission for both the aid provided
for in Paragraphs two and three of this Section, the amount of
the aid shall be calculated as the difference between the aid
granted to the person in the case specified in Paragraph three of
this Section and the aid calculated according to the documents
certifying the payments made. The aid specified in Paragraph two
of this Section shall not be granted if the calculated aid is EUR
60 or less.
(8) The household aid may be disbursed in cash or transferred
to the account number of a person in a credit institution or the
postal settlement system indicated in the submission. In the case
of a transfer to an account of a person in a foreign credit
institution, the recipient of such aid shall cover all the costs
of the transfer, including conversion costs, outside a European
Union Member State or a country of the European Economic Area.
The amount to be transferred is reduced by the commission fee
withheld by the bank or credit institution, even in the case of
an erroneously made payment being transferred again to the
recipient of the aid.
(9) A local government shall consult the inhabitants on the
conditions for receiving the household aid and the submission of
the necessary documents, provide support in the submission
thereof, and also ensure the registration of the submission and
the documents attached thereto, using the e-services portal of
local governments www.epakalpojumi.lv and the administration
information system. Data processing in the administration
information system shall be ensured by the local government. The
data controller shall be the local government in the
administrative territory of which the housing referred to in the
Paragraph three of this Section is located.
(91) If a legal person is also concurrently
registered in the housing, the aid specified in Paragraphs one,
two, three, four, 4.1, and 4.2 of this
Section is applied if the household customer purchases and uses
energy for the needs of the household thereof.
(92) The administrator engaged in the management of
a multi-apartment residential house with an individual heating
supply system has the obligation to apply the disbursed State aid
to households in the invoices thereof in the amount that is equal
to the granted amount.
(10) The local government in the administrative territory of
which the housing is located or an institution established
thereby shall examine the submission and the documents attached
thereto, using the administration information system, and shall
take the decision on granting or refusing to grant the household
aid. It shall be deemed that the local government has taken a
favourable decision if, within 30 working days after receipt of
the submission and the documents attached thereto, the household
aid has been transferred to the payment account of the credit
institution indicated in the submission of the submitter. The
decision or actual action of an official of the local government
on granting the relevant aid may be contested by submitting a
relevant submission to a higher official within 30 days after the
household aid has been transferred to the account. The decision
on the contested administrative act or actual action may be
appealed to a court in accordance with the procedures laid down
in the Administrative Procedure Law.
(11) A local government shall not grant the household aid
if:
1) the information indicated in the submission and the
documents attached thereto fails to conform to the conditions for
receiving the relevant aid;
2) knowingly false information has been provided.
(12) A local government may, within a year after granting the
household aid, decide on the recovery of the unduly disbursed
household aid. The local government shall take the decision on
the recovery of the unduly disbursed household aid if it
establishes that the relevant household aid has been disbursed
unduly due to the fault of the submitter because he or she has
provided false or incomplete information or has failed to notify
of changes that may affect the right to such aid or the amount
thereof. The decision shall be executed by a bailiff in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative
Procedure Law on the basis of the execution order of a local
government if the submitter fails to refund the overpaid amount
voluntarily.
(13) The State shall compensate expenditures for local
governments in the amount of 100 per cent for the provision of
the household aid specified in Paragraphs one, two, three, four,
4.1, and 4.2 of this Section.
(14) In order to partially compensate the administrative costs
incurred by the local governments in the time period from 1
October 2022 to 30 June 2023, the State shall compensate EUR 8
for local governments for the registration and examination of one
submission referred to in Paragraph five of this Section. The
earmarked grant provided for covering the administrative costs
shall be used by a local government for the remuneration of the
employees involved in the provision of the service, the
arrangement of workplaces for the abovementioned employees, and
also the purchase of office hardware and equipment.
(15) In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2023, a
local government may determine a supplement to the employees
thereof who are involved in the process of examination of the
submission referred to in Paragraph five of this Section and
taking of a decision for the performance of other duties in
addition to direct official duties in the amount of up to 30 per
cent of the monthly wage in addition to the maximum amount of
supplements specified in Section 14 of the Law on Remuneration of
Officials and Employees of State and Local Government
Authorities.
(16) By the fifteenth day of the month following the reporting
month, a local government shall, through the e-service eReports
provided by the Treasury, submit a report to the Ministry of
Environmental Protection and Regional Development on the amount
of funds actually used for the household aid and the number of
examined submissions in accordance with the laws and regulations
regarding the procedures by which the Treasury shall ensure the
circulation of information through the e-services provided by the
Treasury. The data indicated in the previous reporting period may
be clarified within one month after submission of the initial
report. The local government may submit the reports until 15
September 2023. The local government shall ensure control of the
use of the funds specified in laws and regulations and the
compliance thereof with the purpose of this Law.
(17) In order to ensure the financial means necessary for the
provision of the household aid, a local government may, from 1
October 2022 by submitting the report referred to in Paragraph
sixteen of this Section to the Treasury, request an advance
payment from the State not exceeding EUR 424 694 for the first
month of the period of aid. For subsequent months, the local
government may request an advance payment in the amount of 50 per
cent of the actual expenditures of the previous month for the
provision of the household aid.
(18) The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional
Development:
1) shall, within 10 working days through the e-service
eReports of the Treasury, verify the conformity of the
information referred to in Paragraph sixteen of this Section with
the report of the Treasury and approve the report;
2) shall, once a month, compensate the expenditures referred
to in Paragraphs thirteen and fourteen of this Section to local
governments;
3) is entitled to conduct a random control of the use of the
financing for the household aid and administrative costs,
requesting additional information from the local government. In
establishing violations of the use of the financing, the Ministry
shall suspend the disbursement of the financing, request to
clarify the report, and perform recalculation of the disbursed
financial means. After clarification of the report or elimination
of the violations, a recalculation shall be performed and a
payment for the previous period shall be made or the unduly
disbursed funds from the funds provided for the local government
in the following month shall be deducted.
[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 9 February
2023]
Section 7.2 Determination
of Tariffs for Regulated Centralised Heating Supply Services
during the Period of the Provision of the Aid
(1) In order to ensure commensurate increase in tariff burden
for all groups of society, the regulator shall, by 31 October
2022, approve the draft tariffs for regulated centralised heating
supply services which have been submitted and whereof the
regulator has not taken any decision by 30 September 2022. The
regulator shall approve the abovementioned draft tariffs in
accordance with the tariff values included in the draft, without
assessing the justification of costs forming the tariffs and
supporting documentation on the merits.
(2) The approved tariffs referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section shall enter into effect on the day following the
publication of the decision of the regulator in the official
gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis and shall be applicable until
30 April 2023. The time limit specified in Section 21, Paragraph
five of the law On Regulators of Public Utilities shall not be
applicable thereto.
(3) The regulator shall, by 1 December 2022, send a request
for the submission of a new draft tariff to the regulated
centralised heating supply service providers which are subject to
the regulation referred to in Paragraph one of this Section. When
preparing a new draft tariff, the regulated centralised heating
supply service provider shall take into account the information
on the basis of which the draft tariff referred to in Paragraph
one of this Section was developed. The regulator shall assess the
submitted draft tariff in accordance with the procedures laid
down in the law On Regulators of Public Utilities.
(4) From 1 May 2023, such tariffs for thermal energy supply
services shall be valid as applied by the regulated centralised
heating supply service providers until 30 September 2022 which
are subject to the regulation referred to in Paragraph one of
this Section, unless otherwise decided by the regulator.
[29 September 2022]
Section 7.3 Procurement
Regarding the Supply of Fuel for Energy Generation
In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, a
contracting authority shall not apply the Public Procurement Law
to the procurement regarding the supply of fuel for energy
generation if the term of validity of the contract does not
exceed six months.
[29 September 2022]
Chapter
III
Aid Measures for Certain Population Groups
Section 8. Scope of Aid and
Recipients of Aid
(1) In the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022,
the State shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 20 (hereinafter -
the monthly aid of EUR 20) to a person residing in Latvia who in
the period of disbursement of the aid is:
1) the recipient of old-age pension, disability pension, or
survivor's pension granted in the Republic of Latvia, including
the recipient of the pension granted before the due time and in
advance, the recipient of the special State pension, the
recipient of the service pension who has attained the age
necessary for granting the old-age pension, but to whom the
old-age pension has not been granted, the recipient of the
service pension who has not attained the age necessary for
granting the old-age pension and to whom a disability has been
specified, and also the recipient of the compensation for the
loss of capacity for work or of the survivor's compensation, or
the recipient of the State social security benefit - also if the
disbursement of the benefit has been temporarily suspended;
2) the recipient of the care of disabled child benefit or
allowance for persons with disabilities for whom care is
necessary;
3) an adult person who has been granted the status of a
refugee or alternative status and has attained the age necessary
for granting the old-age pension or to whom a disability has been
specified and who has not attained the age necessary for granting
the old-age pension, and also a person to whom a disability has
been specified and who has been issued with the opinion of the
State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition
and Working Ability on the necessity for special care, and the
monthly aid of EUR 20 has not been disbursed in accordance with
Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section.
(2) In the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022,
the State shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 (hereinafter -
the monthly aid of EUR 50) for each child of a person who in the
period of disbursement of the aid is:
1) entitled to receive the childcare benefit for a child up to
the age of one year or the State family allowance in accordance
with the Law on State Social Allowances or who has the right to
receive the maternity benefit due to the birth of a child and the
child is born until 30 April 2022, or who is raising a child who
is older than 16 years but under 18 years of age, does not study
at a general secondary or vocational secondary education
institution, and also at a higher education institution,
including a college;
2) a parent, guardian, foster family of the child or the head
of a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution
if, during the period of the provision of the aid, the child
resides in a long-term social care and social rehabilitation
institution, social correction education institution or at a
prison and the monthly aid of EUR 50 per child has not been
disbursed on another basis as provided for in this Paragraph;
3) a parent, guardian, foster family of the child or the head
of a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution
if, during the period of the provision of the aid, the child has
been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status and
the monthly aid of EUR 50 per child has not been disbursed on
another basis as provided for in this Paragraph;
4) a person who studies at a general secondary or vocational
secondary education institution or studies at a higher education
institution, including a college, who has not attained the age of
24 years, and if the monthly aid of EUR 50 has not been disbursed
to him or her on another basis as provided for in this Paragraph.
The monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be granted to the child himself
or herself if he or she has attained the age of 18 years. The
persons referred to in this Clause who have received a temporary
residence permit in Latvia do not have the right to receive the
monthly aid of EUR 50.
(3) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50
shall be disbursed for the entire period for which the aid is to
be disbursed to all persons referred to in Paragraphs one and two
of this Section, provided that the right to the aid arises for
the person within the time period specified in this Section.
Section 8.1 Recipients of
the State Allowance and the Amount of the Allowance
(1) In the time period from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023
(hereinafter - the period of disbursement of the State
allowance), a person residing in Latvia who, during the period of
disbursement of the State allowance, is the recipient of the
old-age pension, disability pension (including a supplement to
the pension for the insurance period that has been accrued until
31 December 1995), or survivor's pension granted in the Republic
of Latvia, including the recipient of the pension granted before
the due time and in advance, the recipient of the special State
pension, the recipient of the service pension who has attained
the age necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in
the law On State Pensions, but to whom the old-age pension has
not been granted in accordance with the law On State Pensions,
the recipient of the service pension who has not attained the age
necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in the law
On State Pensions and to whom disability has been specified in
accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for
the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability, and also
the recipient of the compensation for the loss of capacity for
work or of the survivor's compensation, or the recipient of the
State social security benefit has the right to the allowance
specified in this Paragraph (hereinafter - the State allowance),
and the State allowance shall be disbursed to this person in the
following amount:
1) EUR 30 per month if the total amount of the service or
services referred to in the introductory part of Paragraph one of
this Section is up to EUR 300 per month;
2) EUR 20 per month if the total amount of the service or
services referred to in the introductory part of Paragraph one of
this Section is from EUR 301 up to EUR 509 per month;
3) EUR 10 per month if the total amount of the service or
services referred to in the introductory part of Paragraph one of
this Section is from EUR 510 up to EUR 603 per month.
(2) In the period from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023, the
following persons residing in Latvia have the right to the State
allowance in the amount of EUR 30 during the period of
disbursement of the State allowance:
1) the recipient of a supplement to the State family allowance
for a child with a disability granted in the Republic of
Latvia;
2) a person of legal age who has been granted the status of a
refugee or alternative status in the Republic of Latvia and who
legally resides in the Republic of Latvia with a valid residence
permit issued in the Republic of Latvia or a temporary residence
permit during the period of disbursement of the State allowance
and who has attained the age necessary for granting the old-age
pension laid down in the law On State Pensions or to whom
disability has been specified in accordance with the decision of
the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health
Condition and Working Ability and who has not attained the age
necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in the law
On State Pensions and the State allowance has not been disbursed
in accordance with Paragraph one of this Section;
3) a person who has been granted the status of a refugee or
alternative status in the Republic of Latvia and who legally
resides in the Republic of Latvia with a valid residence permit
issued in the Republic of Latvia or a temporary residence permit
during the period of disbursement of the State allowance if such
person has a child to whom disability has been specified in
accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for
the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability or such
child is under legal custody thereof and the State allowance has
not been disbursed in accordance with Clause 1 of this
Paragraph.
[11 August 2022]
Section 9. Conditions for Granting
the Aid
(1) If a person concurrently receives several of the services
referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law,
the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted thereto for one of the
services.
(2) If a person concurrently receives any of the services
referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this
Law, the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted thereto in double
the amount.
(3) If the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one,
Clause 3 of this Law who has attained the age necessary for
granting the old-age pension or to whom a disability has been
specified and who has not attained the age necessary for granting
the old-age pension has been also issued with the opinion of the
State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition
and Working Ability on the necessity for special care, the
monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted thereto in double the
amount.
(4) If the survivor's pension, survivor's compensation or the
State social security benefit has been granted to a person for
two or more family members of the deceased provider without the
capacity to work, the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted for
each family member of the deceased provider without the capacity
to work.
(5) If the person has the right to concurrently receive the
monthly aid of EUR 50 and the monthly aid of EUR 20 as the
recipient of the survivor's pension, survivor's compensation or
the State social security benefit for the loss of the provider
referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law,
the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be granted and disbursed
thereto.
(6) If a person is entitled to concurrently receive the
monthly aid of EUR 50 for himself or herself or for a child and
the monthly aid of EUR 20 as a person receiving one of the
services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of
this Law, the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be granted and
disbursed thereto.
(7) If a person is entitled to concurrently receive the
monthly aid of EUR 50 for himself or herself or for a child and
the monthly aid of EUR 20 as a person receiving one of the
services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of
this Law, both benefits shall be granted and disbursed
thereto.
(8) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50
shall be financed from the State basic budget.
Section 9.1 Conditions
for the Granting, Calculation, and Recalculation of the State
Allowance
(1) Only the full amount of euros (excluding cents) shall be
taken into account when calculating the total amount of the
service or services referred to in the introductory part of
Section 8.1, Paragraph one of this Law applicable to
determination of the amount of the State allowance.
(2) The right to the State allowance and the amount thereof
shall be determined, taking into account the amount of the
granted (recalculated) allowance for the service referred to in
the introductory part of Section 8.1, Paragraph one of
this Law on 1 November 2022 or on the day from which the
allowance is granted if the allowance is granted after 1 November
2022. If the old-age pension has been granted to a person before
the due time, 50 per cent of the amount of the granted
(recalculated) old-age pension shall be taken into account when
determining the amount of the State allowance.
(3) If a person concurrently receives several services
referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.1,
Paragraph one of this Law, a single State allowance shall be
granted and the total amount of allowances calculated for the
services referred to in the introductory part of Section
8.1, Paragraph one of this Law shall be taken into
account when determining the amount of the State allowance. If
the person concurrently receives the old-age pension and the
difference between the old-age pension and the previously
received service pension or compensation for the loss of capacity
for work, the total amount of the amount of the granted
(recalculated) old-age pension and the abovementioned difference
shall be taken into account when determining the amount of the
State allowance.
(4) If a person concurrently has the right to an allowance for
any of the services referred to in the introductory part of
Section 8.1, Paragraph one of this Law and also
receives an allowance for a child for any of the services
referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.1,
Paragraph one or Section 8.1, Paragraph two, Clause 1
of this Law, both State allowances shall be granted.
(5) If the right to the State allowance of a person arises
both according to Section 8.1, Paragraph two, Clause 2
of this Law and Section 8.1, Paragraph two, Clause 3
of this Law as the person who has a child to whom disability has
been specified or who has such child under legal custody thereof,
both State allowances shall be granted.
(6) If a person concurrently has the right to an allowance as
the person who receives any of the services referred to in the
introductory part of Section 8.1, Paragraph one of
this Law and as the person who receives the services referred to
in Section 8.1, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law, a
single State allowance shall be granted in the amount specified
in Section 8.1, Paragraph two of this Law.
(7) If a person concurrently and for the same child has the
right to receive the State allowance as the recipient of the
survivor's pension, the recipient of the survivor's compensation,
or the recipient of the State social security benefit for the
loss of the provider referred to in the introductory part of
Section 8.1, Paragraph one of this Law and the
recipient of the service referred to in Section 8.1,
Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law, a single State allowance
shall be granted in the amount specified in Section
8.1, Paragraph two of this Law.
(8) If the survivor's pension, survivor's compensation, or the
State social security benefit has been granted to a person for
two or more family members without the capacity to work of the
deceased provider, the State allowance to such person shall be
granted for each family member without the capacity to work of
the deceased provider. The amount of the State allowance shall be
determined by dividing the amount of the abovementioned service
by the number of family members without the capacity to work of
the deceased provider for whom such service is granted.
(9) If a person receives an allowance for the service referred
to in Section 8.1, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law
for several children, the State allowance shall be granted for
each child for whom the service referred to in Section
8.1, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law is
granted.
(10) Persons in places of imprisonment do not have the right
to the State allowance.
(11) The State allowance shall be disbursed every month
throughout the entire time period specified in Section
8.1, Paragraphs one and two of this Law if the person
has the right to an allowance in the relevant month.
(12) The State allowance shall be recalculated if the total
amount of the allowance or allowances for the service referred to
in Section 8.1, Paragraph one of this Law has
decreased for a person. The amount of the State allowance shall
be recalculated from the next month after the month of performing
recalculation of the amount of the granted service.
[11 August 2022]
Section 10. Procedures for the
Disbursement of the Monthly Aid of EUR 20
(1) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the
monthly aid of EUR 20:
1) without the submission of the person referred to in Section
8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law. Disbursement of
the aid shall be commenced:
a) in February 2022 to all persons whereto the services
referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this
Law are disbursed by the State Social Insurance Agency to an
account in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the
postal settlement system (PSS), transferring the monthly aid of
EUR 20 to any of the accounts referred to by the person;
b) in March 2022 to all persons whereto the services referred
to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law are
disbursed by the State Social Insurance Agency at the place of
residence indicated by the recipient, delivering the monthly aid
of EUR 20 to the place of residence of the recipient free of
charge;
2) on the basis of a submission of a person for granting the
monthly aid of EUR 20 to the person referred to in Section 8,
Paragraph one, Clause 3 of this Law or to a recipient of a
service pension of the Constitution Protection Bureau or the
Military Intelligence and Security Service who has not attained
the age necessary for granting the old-age pension and to whom a
disability has been specified. The following shall be indicated
in the submission:
a) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the submitter;
b) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the
submitter;
c) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic
of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS) to which the aid
is to be transferred.
(2) The Ministry of Defence shall disburse the monthly aid of
EUR 20 to a recipient of a service pension who has not attained
the age necessary for granting the old-age pension and to whom a
disability has been specified on the basis of the submission of
the person for granting the aid. Disbursement of the aid shall be
commenced:
1) in February 2022 to the persons whereto a service pension
is disbursed by the Ministry of Defence to an account in a credit
institution of the Republic of Latvia, transferring the monthly
aid of EUR 20 to any of the accounts referred to by the
person;
2) in March 2022 to the persons whereto a service pension is
disbursed by the Ministry of Defence at the place of residence
indicated by the recipient, delivering the monthly aid of EUR 20
to the place of residence of the recipient free of charge.
(3) The submission referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 and
Paragraph two of this Section for granting the monthly aid of EUR
20 shall be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency or the
Ministry of Defence within six months from:
1) the day of coming into force of this Law;
2) the day on which the right to the monthly aid of EUR 20
arises in the time period referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one
of this Law.
(4) The submission referred to in Paragraph three of this
Section shall be examined and the decision on the disbursement of
the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be taken within 30 days after
receipt of the submission. Disbursement of the aid to a person
shall be commenced within 30 days after the day when the decision
on its granting has been taken.
(5) For the person referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 1 and
Paragraph two of this Section for whom the right to the monthly
aid of EUR 20 has arisen until 30 April 2022 but to whom the aid
has not been disbursed within the time limit specified in
Paragraph one, Clause 1 and Paragraph two of this Section, the
aid shall be disbursed within 30 days after the day when the
decision on its granting was taken.
(6) If the monthly aid of EUR 20 is to be granted to the
person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2
of this Law for several services, the State Social Insurance
Agency shall disburse the aid in accordance with the same
procedures as the disbursement for the service for which the
monthly aid of EUR 20 is granted.
(7) If the monthly aid of EUR 20 has not been disbursed to a
person until the day of his or her death, it shall not be
regarded as an unreceived service to which the spouse of the
person, his or her kin of the first and second degree or another
person may qualify on the basis of an inheritance certificate or
court ruling.
Section 11. Procedures for the
Disbursement of the Monthly Aid of EUR 50
(1) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the
monthly aid of EUR 50 in the relevant month. The State Social
Insurance Agency shall commence the disbursement in February 2022
without a submission of a person to the person who has been
granted the childcare benefit or the State family allowance.
(2) For a person who has the right to receive the maternity
benefit due to the birth of a child and the child is born until
30 April 2022, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse
the monthly aid of EUR 50 without the submission of the person
within 45 days after the day when the maternity benefit is
granted. The monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be disbursed for
children who are born until the day of coming into force of this
Law not later than by 31 March.
(3) For a person who has the right to receive the monthly aid
of EUR 50 in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022
but who has not received the aid within the time limit specified
in Paragraphs one and two of this Section and also for a person
who, during the period of the provision of the aid, has the right
to receive the maternity benefit due to the birth of a child and
the child is born until 30 April 2022, the State Social Insurance
Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 without the
submission of the person within 45 days after the day of granting
the childcare benefit for a child up to the age of one year, the
State family allowance, or the maternity benefit.
(4) For a parent, guardian, or foster family who, in the
period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, has the right to
receive the aid referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two, Clauses
2 and 3 of this Law, the State Social Insurance Agency shall
disburse the aid on the basis of the submission of the person.
The following shall be indicated in the submission:
1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the submitter;
2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the
submitter;
3) the information on the child for whom the monthly aid of
EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity
number of the child);
4) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic
of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS).
(5) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the
monthly aid of EUR 50 to the head of a long-term social care and
social rehabilitation institution on the basis of a relevant
submission. The following shall be indicated in the
submission:
1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the submitter;
2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the
submitter;
3) the name of the long-term social care and social
rehabilitation institution;
4) the information on all children for whom the monthly aid of
EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity
number of the child);
5) the account number of the credit institution of the
long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution.
(6) For a person who has the right to the monthly aid of EUR
50 during the period of the provision of the aid for raising a
child who is older than 16 years but under 18 years of age, does
not study at a general secondary or vocational secondary
education institution, and also at a higher education
institution, including a college, the State Social Insurance
Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 within 45 days
after receipt of the submission of the person. The following
shall be indicated in the submission:
1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the submitter;
2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the
submitter;
3) the information on the child for whom the monthly aid of
EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity
number of the child);
4) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic
of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS).
(7) For the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two,
Clause 4 of this Law who has the right to receive the monthly aid
of EUR 50 in the period of the provision of the aid, the State
Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50
within 45 days after receipt of the submission of the person and
the statement of an educational institution if the person studies
at a higher education institution abroad. The following shall be
indicated in the submission:
1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the submitter;
2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the
submitter;
3) the information on the child for whom the monthly aid of
EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity
number of the child) if the child has not attained the age of 18
years;
4) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic
of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS).
(8) The statement of a foreign higher education institution
referred to in Paragraph seven of this Section which certifies
that the person studies at a foreign educational institution must
conform to the following requirements:
1) the document issued by a foreign higher education
institution includes information which allows one to conclude
unequivocally that the person is studying at the educational
institution during the period of time specified in the
document;
2) the document issued by a foreign higher education
institution is accompanied by a translation in accordance with
the laws and regulations regarding the use of the official
language;
3) the requirements of the laws and regulations regarding the
legalisation of documents have been conformed to when submitting
the document of a higher education institution.
(9) A long-term social care and social rehabilitation
institution, the Prison Administration, and a social correction
educational institution shall, by 31 May 2022, provide the
following information to the State Social Insurance Agency on the
children who reside in the relevant institution:
1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the child;
2) the date from which the child is at the relevant
institution;
3) the number and date of the decision of the Orphan's and
Custody Court or court ruling on the placement of the child into
the institution.
(10) The State Social Insurance Agency shall examine the
submission referred to in Paragraphs four, five, six, and seven
of this Section and disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 within 45
days after receipt of the submission.
(11) In defending the personal interests of a child in
relationship with the parents, the Orphan's and Custody Court
shall decide on the disbursement of the monthly aid of EUR 50 to
the child himself or herself if he or she has attained 15 years
of age and his or her parent has not received the monthly aid of
EUR 50. The Orphan's and Custody Court shall immediately inform
the State Social Insurance Agency of the submission received and
the decision taken.
(12) The long-term social care and social rehabilitation
institution shall ascertain the opinion of the child and use the
granted monthly aid of EUR 50 to compensate the expenditures for
the maintenance of the child.
(13) The submission for granting the monthly aid of EUR 50 for
a child who is older than 16 years but under 18 years of age,
does not study at a general secondary or vocational secondary
education institution, and also at a higher education
institution, including a college, and also for a child who has
been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status during
the period of the provision of the aid, and the for the persons
referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two, Clause 4 of this Law
shall be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency within
six months from:
1) the day of coming into force of this Law;
2) the day on which the right to receive the monthly aid of
EUR 50 is granted to the person in the time period referred to in
Section 8, Paragraph two of this Law.
Section 11.1 Procedures
for the Disbursement of the State Allowance
(1) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the State
allowance:
1) without the submission of the person - to the recipients of
the services referred to in the introductory part of Section
8.1, Paragraph one and Section 8.1,
Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law. The State Social Insurance
Agency shall ensure disbursement of the State allowance.
Disbursement of the State allowance shall be commenced in
November 2022 by delivering the allowance to the address of the
place of residence of the recipient indicated for receipt of the
services subject to disbursement by the State Social Insurance
Agency free of charge or by transferring to the account in a
credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal
settlement system (PSS) to which the current payment for the
service referred to in the introductory part of Section
8.1, Paragraph one and Section 8.1,
Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law is transferred to the
recipient of the State allowance;
2) on the basis of a written submission of a person for
granting an allowance - to the person referred to in Section
8.1, Paragraph two, Clauses 2 and 3 of this Law or to
a recipient of a service pension of the Constitution Protection
Bureau or the Military Intelligence and Security Service who has
not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension
specified in the law On State Pensions and to whom a disability
has been specified in accordance with the decision of the State
Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and
Working Ability. The following shall be indicated in the
submission:
a) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of
the submitter;
b) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the
submitter;
c) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic
of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS) to which the
State allowance is to be transferred.
(2) The Ministry of Defence shall disburse the State allowance
to the recipient of the service pension who has not attained the
age necessary for granting the old-age pension specified in the
law On State Pensions and to whom a disability has been specified
in accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission
for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability on the
basis of a written submission of a person for granting an
allowance which shall include the information specified in
Paragraph one, Clause 2 of this Section. Disbursement of the
State allowance shall be commenced in November 2022 by delivering
the allowance to the address of the place of residence of the
recipient indicated for receipt of the service pension free of
charge or by transferring to the account in a credit institution
of the Republic of Latvia to which the current payment of the
service pension is transferred to the recipient of the State
allowance.
(3) The submission referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 and
Paragraph two of this Section for granting the State allowance
shall be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency or the
Ministry of Defence within six months from:
1) the day of coming into force of Section 8.1 of
this Law;
2) the day on which the right to the State allowance arises in
the time period referred to in Section 8.1, Paragraphs
one and two of this Law.
(4) The submission referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 and
Paragraph two of this Section shall be examined and the decision
on granting or refusing to grant the State allowance shall be
taken within 30 days after receipt of the submission by the State
Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of Defence. Disbursement
of the State allowance to a person shall be commenced within 30
days after the day when the decision on its granting was
taken.
(5) The persons referred to in the introductory part of
Section 8.1, Paragraph one and Paragraph two of this
Law whose right to the State allowance arose until 31 May 2023,
but who have not received the allowance until the abovementioned
date, shall receive the State allowance within 30 days after the
day when the decision on its granting was taken.
(6) If the State allowance specified in Section
8.1, Paragraphs one and two of this Law has not been
disbursed to a person until the day of his or her death, it shall
not be regarded as an unreceived service to which the spouse of
the person, his or her first-level and second-level kin or
another person may qualify on the basis of an inheritance
certificate or court ruling.
(7) The State allowance specified in Section 8.1,
Paragraphs one and two of this Law shall be financed from the
State basic budget.
[11 August 2022]
Section 12. Aid Disbursement Reliefs
and Procedures for Contesting and Appealing the Decision on
Aid
(1) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 is
comparable to the compensation referred to in Section 9,
Paragraph one, Clause 16 of the law On Personal Income Tax which
is not included in the annual taxable income and is not taxable
with the personal income tax.
(2) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50
shall not be subject to deductions and debt collection.
(3) In evaluating the material resources of a household for
granting social assistance and social services, the local
government social service office shall not take into account the
monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 disbursed to
the person, and also the household aid specified in Section
7.1 of this Law and the State allowance for a person
specified in Section 8.1 of this Law.
(4) The decision of the State Social Insurance Agency in
relation to the monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR
50 or contesting and appealing of the actual actions is
determined in accordance with the Law on State Social
Allowances.
[11 August 2022; 9 February 2023]
Section 12.1 State
Allowance and Household Aid Disbursement Reliefs and Procedures
for Contesting and Appealing the Decision on State Allowance
(1) The household aid specified in Section 7.1,
Paragraphs one, two, three, four, 4.1, and
4.2 of this Law shall be subject to the provisions of
Section 12, Paragraphs one and two of this Law.
(2) The State allowance specified in Section 8.1,
Paragraphs one and two of this Law shall be subject to the
application of the provisions laid down in Section 12, Paragraphs
one, two, and four of this Law.
[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 9 February
2023]
Section 13. Aid to Local Governments
for Ensuring the Disbursement of a Housing Allowance
(1) For the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 September
2022, when calculating the amount of the housing allowance for a
household, except for persons of retirement age living separately
or persons with disability living separately or a household
consisting only of persons of retirement age or persons with
disability, specified in Section 35, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of
the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, a coefficient
of 1.5 shall be applied to the amount of the guaranteed minimum
income threshold or the coefficient specified by the local
government if it is higher than that determined in this
Paragraph. If compliance of a household with the criteria for
evaluating the material situation specified in the Law on Social
Services and Social Assistance is established in January 2022 and
the household is able to submit the documents necessary for the
calculation of the housing allowance determined by the Cabinet,
the local government shall take the decision on granting the
housing allowance as of January.
(2) For the time period between 1 June 2022 and 30 September
2022, the local governments shall, in calculating the amount of
the housing allowance specified in Section 35, Paragraph one,
Clause 2 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance for
the following types of households, apply the following
coefficient to the amount of the guaranteed minimum income
threshold:
1) to a person of retirement age living separately or a person
with disability living separately, the coefficient of 2.5 or the
coefficient specified by the local government if it is higher
than that determined in this Clause;
2) to a household consisting only of persons of retirement age
or persons with disability, the coefficient of 2 or the
coefficient specified by the local government if it is higher
than that determined in this Clause.
(21) In calculating the amount of the housing
allowance specified in Section 35, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of the
Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, the coefficient of
3 shall be applied to the amount of the guaranteed minimum income
thresholds for a household for the time period between 1 October
2022 and 31 May 2023.
(22) The amount of the housing allowance shall be
calculated, taking into account the minimum norms of expenditure
items for calculating the amount of a housing allowance laid down
in the laws and regulations regarding the assessment of the
material situation of a household and the receipt of social
assistance, except for the following housings:
1) the amount of the housing allowance for a housing where
heating is provided using solid fuel shall be calculated by
applying not more than EUR 12 per square metre of the
housing;
2) the amount of the housing allowance for a housing where
heating is provided using gas or electricity shall be calculated
according to meter readings but not more than EUR 4 per square
metre of the housing.
(23) The local government social service office
shall examine the submissions for the assessment of the material
situation of a household, granting of social assistance benefits
and the status of a needy or low-income household submitted in
the time period from 1 October 2022 to 31 May 2023 within 40
working days after receipt of the abovementioned submission and
the documents specified in the laws and regulations regarding the
assessment of the material situation of a household and the
receipt of social assistance and shall take the decision on
granting a housing allowance or refusing to grant the allowance.
The housing allowance shall be granted to a household from the
month of receipt of the submission.
(24) If the material situation of a household has
been assessed, the local government social service office, after
coming into force of Paragraph 2.1 of this Section,
has the right to recalculate the housing allowance without the
submission of the person.
(25) The local government social service office
shall transfer the calculated and granted housing allowance to
the manager or the provider of utility services with the highest
cost items, whereas the remainder - to another service provider,
or shall disburse the amount to the submitter of the
submission.
(26) In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30
June 2023, a local government may determine a supplement to the
employees of the social service office thereof who are involved
in the process of examination of the submission referred to in
Paragraph 2.3 of this Section and taking of a decision
for the performance of other duties in addition to direct
official duties in the amount of up to 30 per cent of the monthly
wage in addition to the maximum amount of supplements provided
for in Section 14 of the Law on Remuneration of Officials and
Employees of State and Local Government Authorities. In order to
ensure optimal customer service, the local government social
service office has the right to calculate the housing allowance
in accordance with the provisions of this Section for the persons
who fail to conform to the educational requirements laid down in
the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance but have
attained at least the first level of higher education.
(3) In order to partially compensate the expenditures for a
housing allowance, the State shall provide an earmarked grant to
local governments in the amount of 50 per cent of the actual
expenditures for ensuring the disbursement of a housing allowance
which have arisen in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30
June 2023.
(31) In order to partially compensate for the
administrative costs incurred by the local governments in
relation to the examination of the submission referred to in
Paragraph 2.3 of this Section and taking of a
decision, the State shall compensate EUR 8 for local governments
for one submission. The earmarked grant intended to cover the
administrative costs may be used by a local government social
service office for the remuneration of the employees involved in
the provision of the service, arrangement of workplaces for the
relevant employees, and also purchase of office hardware and
equipment.
(4) By the fifteenth day of the month following the reporting
month, a local government shall submit to the Ministry of
Welfare, through the e-service eReports of the Treasury in
accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the procedures
by which the Treasury ensures the circulation of information
through the e-services of the Treasury, a report on the amount of
funds actually used for the housing allowance and the number of
the submissions specified in Paragraph 2.3 of this
Law. The data indicated in the previous reporting period may be
clarified within one month after submission of the initial
report. The local government may submit the reports until 15 July
2023. The local government shall ensure control of the use of the
funds specified in laws and regulations and the compliance
thereof with the purpose of this Law.
(5) The Ministry of Welfare:
1) shall, within 10 working days through the e-service
eReports of the Treasury, verify the conformity of the
information referred to in Paragraph four of this Section with
the report of the Treasury and approve the report;
2) shall, once a month, compensate the expenditures arisen in
relation to the aid specified in Paragraphs 2.3 and
three of this Section to local governments;
3) is entitled to conduct a random control of the use of the
earmarked grant for a housing allowance and administrative costs,
requesting additional information from the local government. In
establishing violations of the use of the financing, the Ministry
shall suspend the disbursement of the financing, request to
clarify the report, and perform recalculation of the disbursed
financial means. After clarification of the report or elimination
of the violations, a recalculation shall be performed and a
payment for the previous period shall be made or the unduly
disbursed funds from the funds provided for the local government
in the following month shall be deducted.
(6) In order to ensure the funds necessary for the
disbursement of the housing allowance, local governments, from
November 2022, have the right to request an advance payment in
the amount of 50 per cent of the actual expenditures for the
housing allowance in the previous month.
[11 August 2022; 30 August 2022]
Transitional
Provisions
1. The State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of
Defence shall, in commencing the disbursement of the monthly aid
of EUR 20 in February 2022, disburse the aid to the person
referred to in Section 10, Paragraph one, Clause 1, Sub-clause
"a" and Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law for January 2022 and
February 2022. If the monthly aid of EUR 20 for January 2022 and
February 2022 is not disbursed in February 2022, the aid shall be
disbursed in March 2022 in addition to the monthly aid of EUR 20
for March.
2. The State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of
Defence shall, in commencing the disbursement of the monthly aid
of EUR 20 in March 2022, disburse the aid to the person referred
to in Section 10, Paragraph one, Clause 1, Sub-clause "b" and
Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Law for January 2022, February
2022, and March 2022.
3. If, until 27 January 2022, the local government has granted
a housing allowance for January 2022 to a household, applying the
coefficient that is lower than 1.5, the local government shall
recalculate the allowance in accordance with the provisions laid
down in Section 13, Paragraph one of this Law and shall disburse
the difference until 28 February 2022.
4. A housing allowance granted for the time period from 1
October 2022 to 31 May 2023 shall be recalculated after the end
of the heating season of 2022/2023 but not later than until 30
June 2023.
[11 August 2022; 30 August 2022]
5. When issuing the current bill to a user of natural gas for
natural gas trade service provided in August 2022, a natural gas
trader shall take into account that the reduction of payments for
the consumed natural gas referred to in Section 6 of this Law is
applied for the time period starting from 1 July 2022, performing
the relevant recalculation. If after recalculation an overpayment
is established in the bill of the user of natural gas, the
billing information for natural gas is corrected in subsequent
billing periods until 30 April 2023.
[11 August 2022]
6. In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, an
electricity trader shall ensure monthly billing information on
the actual electricity consumption to the household customers
with electricity consumption above 500 kilowatt hours.
[11 August 2022]
7. The Cabinet shall, within a month, develop aid measures for
the reduction of exceptional increase in energy resource prices
to a household that uses propane gas for residential heating for
the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023.
[30 August 2022]
8. The household aid provided for in Section 7.1 of
this Law in relation to which cash disbursements are requested in
accordance with the provisions of Paragraph eight of this Section
shall be disbursed from 1 November 2022.
[29 September 2022]
9. The Ministry of Economics shall, by 31 December 2022, make
the compensatory payment to a public trader for the difference of
the trade price of natural gas applied in determination of the
final tariff for the trade of natural gas and the actual trade
price of natural gas of captive consumers in the second half of
2022 which use natural gas for heating on the basis of the bill
submitted by the public trader and the calculation agreed upon
with the regulator.
[8 December 2022]
The Law shall come into force on the day following its
proclamation.
The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 27 January
2022.
President E. Levits
Rīga, 28 January 2022
1The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2023 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)