Certificates for low-income and needy households are valid until the end of May

Amendments to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance adopted in February this year provide that the validity period of issued certificates for needy and low-income households is extended until 31 May of this year.

In such cases, new paper certificates may not be issued. The old certificates are valid until 31 May 2021, provided that the social service has taken the appropriate steps in the database to extend their validity. Residents may use their previously issued certificate when visiting a medical institution, collecting food and hygiene product packages, and elsewhere where it is required. The service provider may contact the municipal social service of the client’s municipality and verify the validity of the certificate.

The Ministry of Welfare reminds residents that needy and low-income status entitles a household or an individual member of a household to receive support and benefits established by the state and municipality. If a person has been recognised as needy, they are entitled to continue receiving benefits within the healthcare system:

 - no patient contribution is required when receiving state-funded healthcare services;

 - no patient co-payment is required for a surgical operation performed during one hospitalisation;

 - when receiving state-compensated medicines at contracted pharmacies and presenting a needy-person certificate, they are exempt from paying the portion not covered by the state and from the prescription fee.

Persons recognised as needy or low-income, with income of up to 327 euros for the first person in the household and 229 euros for each subsequent household member, are entitled to receive support from the European Fund for Aid to the Most Deprived—food and essential goods packages—as stipulated by Cabinet regulations.

Those recognised as needy or low-income based on the income threshold established by the municipality are entitled to:

- receive a reduction in immovable property tax in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Immovable Property Tax;

- receive state-provided legal aid in accordance with the provisions of the State-Provided Legal Aid Law;

- apply for exemption from reimbursement of court costs (the court decides on the exemption after assessing the person’s income) in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Procedure Law;

 - the right to receive electricity services at a reduced price in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Market Law.

Author:

lm.gov.lv