A series of vulnerable households, including Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection, will receive financial assistance for the cold season. The one-time variable payment represents the difference between the energy compensation set individually and the maximum ceiling set for each category. The money is distributed as of February 27, IPN reports.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection said that, in partnership with the organization “People in Need” and with the financial support of the European Union, at the beginning of this year it launched a new payment program aimed at supporting vulnerable households in the cold period of the year, including Ukrainian refugees.

The nominal compensation is a one-time payment that is granted to potential beneficiaries/applicants of the "Personal Assistance" social service, but also to Ukrainian refugees benefitting from temporary protection, who registered in the "Energy Vulnerability" Information System.

The financial support will be distributed between February 27 and March 21, in two ways. It will be brought home to people with disabilities who cannot move, and the others will be able to pick it up at the post offices.

Eligible persons are notified by SMS. Also, the beneficiaries could be contacted by phone by "People in Need" operators.

The total budget of the support program is €700,000 and the amount will be distributed in the form of financial compensation until the end of March 2025. This initiative is possible thanks to contributions from “People in Need”, SOS Ukraine resources (donations from the Czech people) and EU funding.