The lump-sum payment of 600 lei on Easter is intended for persons who had pensions or allowances lower than 2,000 lei before April 1, not after the indexation, the head of the National House of Social Insurance Valentina Buliga was quoted by IPN as saying in the talk show “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel.

“Before indexation, the number of such recipients is higher. After indexation, some of the beneficiaries could get a pension of 2,010 lei or 2,015 lei. That’s why it was decided to pay by 600 lei to those who had the pension or allowance lower than 2,000 lei before April 1, 2019,” stated Valentina Buliga.

“Why 2,000 lei? Because this sum is related to an indicator – the minimum subsistence level not for pensioners, but for persons with disabilities and those who receive such benefits. This minimum subsistence level is 1,930 lei.”

According to Valentina Buliga, about 610,000 persons will get assistance on Easter. Of these, over 418,000 receive old-age pensions, 110,000 - disability pensions, almost 12,000 - successor’s pensions, 600 – soldier’s pensions, while about 63,000 – social benefits.

The costs for paying the lump sum of 600 lei will be covered with state budget funds. The money will be allocated by the National House of Social Insurance through the agency of service providers that ensure the payment of pensions and social benefits.

The Government approved a relevant bill by assuming responsibility for it itself, which is the draft law avoided passage through Parliament.