Citizens should focus not on the assigned vulnerability degree, but on the value of compensation. According to Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu, 91% of the citizens who will receive on-bill compensation for energy costs this winter will pay the same charge as last year, regardless of the category of vulnerability. The official called on citizens to report possible errors in the system and assured that the people will receive their compensation, including retroactively, IPN notes.
This year, 91% of the citizens who will receive compensation for energy costs will pay bills similar in value to last year’s bills. The minister said that where errors were made, those who are entitled will get the compensation retroactively.
“91% of those who will receive on-bill compensation will pay the same charge as last year, regardless of the vulnerability degree. Citizens should pay attention to the final value of compensation and less to the vulnerability degree. If there was a mistake in the system and someone received lower compensation in November, this mistake will be corrected and everyone will receive compensation, including by recalculation. We encourage citizens to report possible errors,” Alexei Buzu stated in the program “Shadow Cabinet” on JurnalTV channel.
According to the assigned vulnerability degrees, citizens in the extreme vulnerability category pay a charge of 12 lei/m3, in the very high vulnerability category - 12.2 lei/m3, in the high vulnerability category - 12.4 lei/m3, in the medium vulnerability category - 12.6 lei/m3.
“Last year, the energy charge was much higher. Furthermore, in 2022 gas consumption was higher and, respectively, consumption took a larger share of household income. Another explanation is that this year the energy vulnerability system has access to more data sources. Respectively, this year we know much better what people’s real incomes are. O the one hand, we have the mission to help households get through this winter. On the other hand, we have the responsibility to spend public resources as efficiently as possible. For gas, for the extreme category, we compensate up to 12 lei. We sought to ensure that we offer a final charge for 91% of those who will receive compensation, similar to last year’s charge. In families with lower incomes, we should have better targeting through that monetary payment that increased to 800 lei,” said the minister.
Citizens who do not agree with the assigned vulnerability degree or have additional questions regarding the granting of the energy vulnerability category can call the Green Line: 0 8000 5000 or send a message to the email address: suport@compensatii.gov.md.
