Support Available from the Municipality to Residents of the Municipality During the State of Emergency

In view of epidemiologists’ assessment of the increasing risks associated with the spread of Covid-19, a state of emergency has been declared in Latvia from 9 November to 11 January, introducing several stricter safety measures to contain the virus. To support residents of the municipality, the municipality has compiled the available support measures for those who have encountered temporary difficulties due to Covid-19.

Real Estate Tax

Within the limits of its capabilities, and in accordance with the Ministry of Finance’s notice concerning the sectors most affected by the spread of Covid-19, the municipality has adopted several support measures since spring:

to support entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector, a 90% real estate tax reduction has been applied for the building in which business activities are carried out, for companies operating in Sigulda Municipality that provide accommodation services, as well as a 50% reduction for public catering establishments in 2020;

entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to terminate a lease agreement with the municipality for a specified period if their activities have been directly affected or suspended in connection with the state of emergency declared in the country.

companies carrying out economic activities in premises renovated with funding allocated by the European Regional Development Fund are granted real estate tax relief amounting to 90% for the premises and land;

companies carrying out economic activities in premises owned by the municipality or a municipal capital company are granted an exemption from or reduction of rent (up to 90%).

In case of questions or uncertainties concerning real estate tax, you can contact the tax administrators by calling 67385830 or writing to kristine.berze@sigulda.lv.

The municipality is currently preparing a draft decision providing for an expansion of the range of support recipients. It will be considered at the meeting of the Sigulda Municipality Council on 17 December.

State support for entrepreneurs and employees is available on the Ministry of Finance website.

The municipality has expanded the range of recipients eligible for heating-cost support

To support vulnerable residents of the municipality, pensioners and large families during the unpredictable period caused by the Covid-19 virus, the Sigulda Municipality Council has adopted a decision to expand the range of recipients eligible for support with heating costs.

Municipal support will be granted to an adult whose place of residence has been continuously declared in Sigulda Municipality for the benefit period, but no later than 00:00 on 1 January 2021, and if:

the person and their family have active status as a “Sigulda Municipality family caring for three or more children”;

the person is a pensioner or a person with a disability who lives separately from their children, and the person’s income does not exceed the latest published average monthly gross wage stated in the Central Statistical Bureau’s official statistical notice (currently EUR 1,118, as this amount is subject to change);

the person is a pensioner or a person with a disability who lives in a family consisting only of pensioners or persons with disabilities, and the person’s income does not exceed the latest published average monthly gross wage stated in the Central Statistical Bureau’s official statistical notice;

the person cares for a child with a disability, and the person’s income does not exceed the latest published average monthly gross wage stated in the Central Statistical Bureau’s official statistical notice.

During the period of overcoming the consequences of Covid-19, the above-mentioned categories of persons who use local or individual heating systems will also be eligible for support.

If an apartment property or a single-apartment residential building is connected to the centralized heating network, the planned benefit for partial coverage of heating costs will be 10% of the amount shown on the bill for the current month, starting on 1 December. For local or individual heating, the planned benefit for partial coverage of heating costs will be EUR 50 once per heating season, starting in January 2021. To receive the benefit, the person must submit an application to the Social Service (socialais.dienests@sigulda.lv) confirming the right to use the premises if they are not owned by the applicant, as well as information about the type of heating and the service provider, if applicable. The person’s declared address will then be verified. The application can be completed on the municipal services portal e.sigulda.lv.

The municipality will provide the above-mentioned support to vulnerable population groups, pensioners and large families until the end of the 2021 heating season, easing the unpredictable and uncertain period caused by Covid-19 without creating an additional burden on household finances.

Food parcels for children from low-income, disadvantaged and large families

While pupils are studying remotely, Sigulda Municipality provides food parcels to low-income families and families that have been granted the status of a “Sigulda Municipality family caring for three or more children” and whose children study remotely in schools in Sigulda Municipality, from grades 5 to 12.

The food parcels provided for each child in the specified family groups include vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage, apples and others), grocery products (rice, pasta, sugar, tea, cereal flakes and others), as well as dairy products and eggs. The food parcels are prepared by SIA “Vita mārkets” using products from Latvian producers, at a value of EUR 17.50 per food parcel.

Reduced parental co-financing for vocationally oriented education

For the period of remote learning, the municipal council has reduced parents’ co-payment by 50% for vocationally oriented education and extracurricular education classes that the relevant educational institution in Sigulda Municipality provides partially or fully remotely. For other classes that cannot be provided either in person or remotely due to the restrictions imposed in the country, the co-financing fee is cancelled.

Benefit in a crisis situation

In accordance with binding regulations, the municipality grants a benefit of EUR 80 per person to cover basic needs. In addition, EUR 50 per month is granted for each child in the person’s care; however, in accordance with amendments to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, the amount of the municipal crisis benefit will also depend on whether the resident has been granted a downtime benefit. Each case is assessed individually by the Social Service. We remind you that assistance in a crisis situation is available not only to disadvantaged and low-income residents of the municipality, but also to those who have encountered temporary difficulties, for example:

if a person has lost income during the state of emergency, for example, while on unpaid leave; if the person has been granted unemployed status but has not yet received unemployment benefits; and to other persons who have lost their source of income;

if a family or a person in self-isolation has incurred additional unplanned expenses;

if a family is or has been in quarantine and has no means of subsistence, as well as in other cases.

The benefit in a crisis situation is granted for a period of up to three months:

EUR 80 for the person and EUR 80 for each dependent person if one working-age person in the family has lost income;

EUR 80 for each family member if all working-age persons in the family have lost income.

Support in a crisis situation is available upon submission of an application and supporting documents to the Social Service. You can apply for the benefit in a crisis situation by completing the e-service on the municipal services portal e.sigulda.lv or by completing this application form and sending it electronically to socialais.dienests@sigulda.lv.

You can contact the Sigulda Municipality Social Service by calling 67800966, 67385298 or 67381454, sending information electronically to socialais.dienests@sigulda.lv, or placing an application describing the situation, together with copies of supporting documents if necessary, in the mailboxes at the Social Service at 7 Zinātnes Street, Peltes, or 1 Rīgas Street, Sigulda, as well as at the More Parish Administration at 11 Siguldas Street, More, or the Allaži Parish Administration at 4 Birzes Street, Allaži.

 

Specialists from Sigulda Municipality, the Social Service and the Orphan’s and Custody Court call on the public to help provide assistance when fellow residents are experiencing difficulties. Please inform us about lonely seniors, neglected children or anyone who has encountered hardship. If anyone wishes to help families or people living alone in the municipality personally, please contact the Social Service specialists, who will provide information about current needs. Let us take care of our health and act responsibly for one another’s health by observing the restrictions imposed in the country!

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