State-provided energy compensations, issued as direct monetary payments, will range from 300 to 800 lei for November. The government will cover 150 cubic meters of gas per month and 1.4 gigacalories of thermal energy. Despite rising energy costs, authorities assure that citizens will not face higher tariffs than last winter. Additionally, the government encourages rational energy consumption, stated Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu during a press conference, IPN reports.
"Citizens, after receiving this year's compensation, will not pay more for energy compared to last year. We are referring to a post-compensation tariff - the amount citizens pay after receiving state assistance. This principle guided us in formulating the compensation system and will determine the compensations provided", the minister explained.
According to Buzu, the government will review the impact of rising natural gas prices on compensation levels. If necessary, adjustments will be made to ensure citizens do not pay more for energy than during the previous season.
"All tariff increases during this heating season will be absorbed by the government. If further increases occur, the government will adjust the formula to ensure citizens do not bear higher costs. For November, tariffs remain unchanged. Next week, we will adopt a government decision establishing how compensations for November will be calculated. These will range between 300 lei and 800 lei, determined individually based on specific household and family factors. For instance, families with lower incomes - such as pensioners, children, or single working adults - will receive higher compensations compared to families with higher incomes", Buzu emphasized.
Once the compensation amounts are determined, citizens will be able to view them in their personal accounts. Those registered through social assistance offices will be informed directly. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MMPS) anticipates that compensations will be available by mid-December.
During November, over 703,000 households submitted applications for energy compensation. Of these, 44% reported solid fuel as their primary heating source, while 32% indicated natural gas.