The Saeima¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

Law on Measures for the Reduction of Exceptional Increase in Energy Resource Prices

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in the Law

(1) The terms used in the Law which define the compensation for the electricity system service and the mandatory procurement component payments shall correspond to the terms used in the Energy Law and the Electricity Market Law.

(2) The terms used in the Law which define the compensation for the natural gas trade service payments shall correspond to the terms used in the Energy Law.

(3) The terms used in the Law which define the compensation for the centralised heating supply service payments shall correspond to the terms used in the Energy Law and the law On Regulators of Public Utilities.

(4) The terms used in the Law which define the granting of a housing allowance to households correspond to the terms used in the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance.

(5) The terms used in the Law which define the granting of aid and the disbursement thereof to the recipients of State social insurance pensions, special State pensions, service pensions, compensation for occupational accident, maternity benefits, State social security benefits, to the persons who have been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status, and also to other categories of persons referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two and Section 8.¹, Paragraph two of this Law shall correspond to the terms used in the laws and regulations governing the relevant field.

[11 August 2022]

Section 2. Purpose and Scope of Application of the Law

(1) The purpose of the Law is to mitigate the negative socio-economic impact of exceptional increase in energy resource prices on the well-being of the population and the growth of national economy.

(2) The Law prescribes fixed-term aid measures to mitigate the negative impact on households and national economy caused by exceptional increase in energy resource prices.

Section 3. Procedures for Financing the Aid Measures and the Amount Thereof

(1) In order to ensure the implementation of the fixed-term aid measures specified in this Law, the Minister for Finance has the right to increase the appropriation specified in the law On the State Budget for 2022 in the programme 02.00.00 "Funds for Unforeseen Events" of the budget unit "74. Funding to be Reallocated in the Process of Implementation of the Annual State Budget" and also to make, within the scope of the appropriation specified in the law to a ministry or another central State institution, the necessary reallocation of the appropriation between programmes, sub-programmes, and codes of expenditures according to economic categories.

(2) The appropriation may be increased for the abovementioned purpose if the Cabinet has taken a decision and the Budget and Finance (Tax) Commission of the Saeima has, within five working days from the time of receipt of the relevant information, examined it and not objected to the increase in the appropriation.

(3) The allocated funds are used within the scope of the current calendar year, except for the State earmarked grants to local governments for ensuring the disbursement of a housing allowance in January 2023 for December 2022.

Chapter II
Measures for the Reduction of Increase in Energy Resource Service Prices

Section 4. Reduction of the Electricity System Service Payments

(1) A reduction of the electricity system service payments, including value added tax, in full amount shall be applied to final customers of electricity. The reduction shall not be applied to reactive energy payments, capacity charges of electricity producers, and recalculations performed in cases of violations committed by the system users. Any foregone revenues of the electricity system operator from the system service payments, including value added tax, are compensated from the funds from the State budget in full amount.

(2) The reduction of the electricity system service payments referred to in Paragraph one of this Section is applied to the payments of final customers for the system services in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022.

(2¹) A reduction of the electricity system service payments, including value added tax, shall be applied in full amount from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, according to the criteria applicable to the final customer in each billing period, to final customers of electricity which are legal persons and are not subject to the application of the system service tariff intended for households. The reduction shall not be applied to reactive energy payments, capacity charges of electricity producers, and recalculations performed in cases of violations committed by the system users. Any foregone revenues of the electricity system operator from the system service payments, including value added tax, are compensated from the funds from the State budget in full amount.

(3) Paragraphs one and 2.¹ of this Section are not applied to a final customer of electricity if the final customer is also an electricity system operator.

(3¹) Paragraph 2.¹ of this Section is not applicable to:

1) State and local government institutions. A distribution system operator shall verify the status of an institution in the unified list of public entities and institutions maintained by the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia;

2) legal persons to which international or national sanctions or sanctions of a Member State of the European Union or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation which affect significant financial and capital market interests have been imposed or the related natural persons of which are subject to the abovementioned sanctions.

(4) The electricity system service payments shall be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding the trade and use of electricity issued on the basis of the Electricity Market Law.

(5) The electricity distribution system operator to the system of which more than one hundred thousand customers are connected and the electricity transmission system operator shall, when calculating tariffs to take effect in 2023, determine the part of the balance of the regulatory invoice resulting from the difference between the actual and planned revenues in the previous regulatory period and the difference between the actual and planned costs of services of another distribution system of the distribution system operator, and the difference between the actual and planned costs of the services of the electricity transmission system operator in the previous regulatory period as equal to zero euros.

[30 August 2022; 9 September 2023]

Section 5. Reduction of Payments for Mandatory Procurement and Capacity Components

(1) A reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and capacity components, including value added tax, in full amount shall be applied to final customers of electricity. The reduction shall not be applied to recalculations performed in cases of violations committed by final customers of the system. Any foregone revenues of the public electricity trader for the reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and capacity components are compensated from the funds from the State budget.

(2) The reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and capacity components specified in Paragraph one of this Section is applied to the payments of final customers for mandatory procurement and capacity components in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022.

(2¹) A reduction of payments for mandatory procurement and capacity components, including value added tax, in full amount shall be applied to final customers of electricity in the time period from 1 September 2022 to 31 December 2022. The reduction shall not be applied to recalculations performed in cases of violations committed by final customers of the system.

(3) The payments for mandatory procurement and capacity components shall be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding the trade and use of electricity issued on the basis of the Electricity Market Law and the law On Regulators of Public Utilities.

[30 August 2022]

Section 5.¹ Reduction of Payments for the Consumed Electricity

(1) A reduction of payments for the first 100 kilowatt hours consumed each month shall be applied to a household customer in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023 and it shall be determined as the difference between the average price for the consumed electricity per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax in the payment month and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations, and EUR 0.160 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax.

(2) In addition to that specified in Section 4, Paragraph 2.¹ of this Law, a reduction of payments shall be applied to final customers of electricity other than household customers in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 and it shall be determined in the amount of 50 per cent of the difference between the price for electricity consumed per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations, and EUR 0.160 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax.

(3) A reduction of payments for the consumed electricity shall be applied in accordance with the conditions of the trade of electricity contract or the supply of last resort, including value added tax, in the amount specified in this Section. Any foregone revenues of the electricity producer for the reduction of payments for the consumed electricity are compensated from the funds from the State budget.

(4) A reduction of payments for the consumed electricity shall be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding the trade and use of electricity issued on the basis of the Electricity Market Law.

[29 September 2022]

Section 6. Reduction of Payments for the Consumed Natural Gas

(1) A reduction of payments to be applied to the customers referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022 shall be determined as the difference between the payment for the consumed natural gas per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations, and EUR 0.0340 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax, provided that the amount of the reduction of payments may not exceed:

1) EUR 0.03045 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax, if the monthly consumption of natural gas at the gasified object is from 221 kilowatt hours (21 cubic metres) to 5269 kilowatt hours (500 cubic metres) (inclusive);

2) EUR 0.02279 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax, if the monthly consumption of natural gas at the gasified object exceeds 5269 kilowatt hours (500 cubic metres).

(1¹) A reduction of payments in the amount of EUR 0.030 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations, shall be applied to the users referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the time period from 1 July 2022 to 30 November 2022 if the monthly consumption of natural gas in a gasified object is from 221 kilowatt hours (21 cubic metres).

(1²) In addition to that specified in Paragraph 1.¹ of this Section, a reduction of payments shall be applied to the customers referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 November 2022 and it shall be determined as the difference between the payment for the consumed natural gas per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations, and EUR 0.10875 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations.

(1³) A reduction of payments shall be applied to the customers referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the time period from 1 December 2022 to 30 April 2023 and it shall be determined as the difference between the payment for the consumed natural gas per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations, and EUR 0.07875 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax and also excluding the payments for the system services and payments specified in other laws and regulations.

(2) A reduction of payments shall be applied to household customers and also customers whose gasified object is a multi-apartment residential house which includes households, if the average monthly consumption of natural gas over a 12-month period is more than 221 kilowatt hours per month (21 cubic metres per month), for the consumed natural gas in accordance with the natural gas trade contract or the terms of the supply of last resort, including value added tax, in the amount specified in this Section. Any foregone revenues of the natural gas trader or public trader for the reduction of payments for the consumed natural gas shall be compensated from the funds from the State budget.

(3) [11 August 2022]

(4) A reduction of payments for the consumed natural gas shall be compensated in accordance with the Cabinet regulations regarding the trade and use of natural gas issued on the basis of the Energy Law.

[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 8 December 2022]

Section 7. Reduction of the Centralised Heating Supply Service Payments

(1) A reduction of payments for the heating supply services ensured using a centralised heating supply system (hereinafter - the centralised heating supply service), including value added tax, shall be applied to household customers and thermal energy customers whose object is a multi-apartment residential house in the amount specified in this Section in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023. Any foregone revenues of the heating supply service provider for the reduction of the centralised heating supply service payments shall be compensated from the funds from the State budget.

(2) A reduction of the centralised heating supply service payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house, if the centralised heating supply service is received thereby from a heating supply merchant which provides such service for the tariffs specified by the regulator or for the tariffs intended by the relevant service provider in accordance with the tariff calculation methodology specified by the regulator, if a permission of the regulator has been received, shall be determined in the amount of 50 per cent of the difference between the approved tariff for thermal energy in the respective heating season, if it does not exceed EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, and the median of the tariff for thermal energy in the amount of EUR 68.00 per megawatt hour. If the approved tariff for thermal energy exceeds EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, a reduction of additional payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house for the tariff exceeding EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour shall be determined in the amount of 90 per cent of the difference between the approved tariff for thermal energy in the respective heating season and EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour.

(2¹) A reduction of the centralised heating supply service payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house, if the thermal energy services are received thereby from a heating supply service provider other than that referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, shall be determined in the amount of 50 per cent of the difference between the tariff for thermal energy applicable in the relevant month approved by the relevant local government, if it does not exceed EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, and the median of the tariff for thermal energy in the amount of EUR 68.00 per megawatt hour. If the tariff for thermal energy approved by the relevant local government exceeds EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, a reduction of additional payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house for the tariff exceeding EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour shall be determined in the amount of 90 per cent of the difference between the tariff for thermal energy approved by the local government in the respective heating season and EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour.

(3) A reduction of the centralised heating supply service payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house, if the thermal energy services are received thereby from a heating supply service provider other than that referred to in Paragraphs two and 2.¹ of this Section, shall be determined in the amount of 50 per cent of the difference between the price of thermal energy applicable in the relevant month, excluding value added tax, if it does not exceed EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour, and the median of the tariff for thermal energy in the amount of EUR 68.00 per megawatt hour. If the price of thermal energy charged by the heating supply service provider exceeds EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour but does not exceed EUR 350.00 per megawatt hour, a reduction of additional payments for a household customer and a thermal energy customer whose object is a multi-apartment residential house for the price which exceeds EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour shall be determined in the amount of 90 per cent of the difference between the price of thermal energy applicable in the relevant month, excluding value added tax, and EUR 150.00 per megawatt hour.

(4) [11 August 2022]

(5) [11 August 2022]

(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the State Construction Control Bureau shall compensate the reduction of the centralised heating supply service payments and supervise adequacy of the compensation for the reduction of the centralised heating supply service payments.

[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 9 September 2023]

Section 7.¹ Aid to Households for Partial Compensation of Heating Expenditures if Electricity, Wood Pellets, Wood Briquettes, Firewood, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and Diesel Fuel are Used for Heating

(1) A household that uses wood pellets or wood briquettes for residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent from the costs for the purchase of 10 tonnes of wood pellets or briquettes for the price exceeding EUR 300 per tonne, excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 100 per tonne, excluding value added tax.

(2) A household that uses firewood for residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent from the costs for the purchase of 35 loose cubic metres of firewood for the price exceeding EUR 40 per loose cubic metre, excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 15 per loose cubic metre, excluding value added tax.

(3) A household that uses firewood for residential heating purchased until 31 August 2022 has the right to receive State aid in the amount of EUR 60.

(4) A household that uses electricity for residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value added tax, for electricity consumption above 500 kilowatt hours per month, but not exceeding 2000 kilowatt hours, in the amount of 50 per cent of the electricity price exceeding EUR 0.160 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 0.100 per kilowatt hour, excluding value added tax.

(4¹) A household that uses liquefied petroleum gas for residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent of the costs for the purchase of 1000 kilograms of liquefied petroleum gas for the price exceeding EUR 0.91 per kilogram, excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 1.29 per kilogram, excluding value added tax.

(4²) A household that uses diesel fuel for residential heating has the right, for the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023, to receive State aid, including value added tax, in the amount of 50 per cent of the costs for the purchase of 4000 litres of marked diesel fuel for the price exceeding EUR 0.69 per litre, excluding value added tax, but not more than EUR 2.01 per litre, excluding value added tax.

(5) In order to receive the aid referred to in Paragraphs one, two, three, four, 4.¹, and 4.² of this Section (hereinafter - the household aid), the owner, joint owner, tenant, legal possessor, or administrator engaged in the management of a multi-apartment residential house with an individual heating supply system shall, not more than once per month, electronically, using the e-services portal of local governments www.epakalpojumi.lv, or in person, using the administration information system of social assistance and social services of local governments SOPA (hereinafter - the administration information system), electronically (signed with a secure electronic signature), using the official electronic address, or via e-mail submit to the local government a submission, indicating therein the given name, surname, personal identity number of the submitter, contact details of the administrator and the account number in a credit institution or the postal settlement system to which the household aid is to be transferred. The submission shall include self-certification of existence of the respective residential heating and that other household members have not submitted a submission for receiving the aid for the housing referred to in the submission, and also self-certification of the purchase of firewood in the case referred to in Paragraph three of this Section. The following documents shall be appended to the submission:

1) a document certifying the ownership rights or rights of use of the housing if the relevant information is not at the disposal of another authority;

2) the residential property management contract (if submitted by the administrator);

3) the documents certifying the payments made for the purchase of wood pellets, wood briquettes, firewood, liquefied petroleum gas, or diesel fuel for one housing in the case referred to in Paragraphs one, two, 4.¹, and 4.² of this Section;

4) an electricity bill in the case referred to in Paragraph four of this Section.

(6) The submission for the household aid shall be submitted within the following time periods:

1) from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023 for the aid specified in Paragraphs one and two of this Section;

2) from 1 October 2022 to 30 November 2022 for the aid specified in Paragraph three of this Section;

3) from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023 for the aid specified in Paragraph four of this Section;

4) from 15 February 2023 to 30 April 2023 for the aid specified in Paragraphs 4.¹ and 4.² of this Section.

(7) If a person submits a submission for both the aid provided for in Paragraphs two and three of this Section, the amount of the aid shall be calculated as the difference between the aid granted to the person in the case specified in Paragraph three of this Section and the aid calculated according to the documents certifying the payments made. The aid specified in Paragraph two of this Section shall not be granted if the calculated aid is EUR 60 or less.

(8) The household aid may be disbursed in cash or transferred to the account number of a person in a credit institution or the postal settlement system indicated in the submission. In the case of a transfer to an account of a person in a foreign credit institution, the recipient of such aid shall cover all the costs of the transfer, including conversion costs, outside a European Union Member State or a country of the European Economic Area. The amount to be transferred is reduced by the commission fee withheld by the bank or credit institution, even in the case of an erroneously made payment being transferred again to the recipient of the aid.

(9) A local government shall consult the inhabitants on the conditions for receiving the household aid and the submission of the necessary documents, provide support in the submission thereof, and also ensure the registration of the submission and the documents attached thereto, using the e-services portal of local governments www.epakalpojumi.lv and the administration information system. Data processing in the administration information system shall be ensured by the local government. The data controller shall be the local government in the administrative territory of which the housing referred to in the Paragraph three of this Section is located.

(9¹) If a legal person is also concurrently registered in the housing, the aid specified in Paragraphs one, two, three, four, 4.¹, and 4.² of this Section is applied if the household customer purchases and uses energy for the needs of the household thereof.

(9²) The administrator engaged in the management of a multi-apartment residential house with an individual heating supply system has the obligation to apply the disbursed State aid to households in the invoices thereof in the amount that is equal to the granted amount.

(10) The local government in the administrative territory of which the housing is located or an institution established thereby shall examine the submission and the documents attached thereto, using the administration information system, and shall take the decision on granting or refusing to grant the household aid. It shall be deemed that the local government has taken a favourable decision if, within 30 working days after receipt of the submission and the documents attached thereto, the household aid has been transferred to the payment account of the credit institution indicated in the submission of the submitter. The decision or actual action of an official of the local government on granting the relevant aid may be contested by submitting a relevant submission to a higher official within 30 days after the household aid has been transferred to the account. The decision on the contested administrative act or actual action may be appealed to a court in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.

(11) A local government shall not grant the household aid if:

1) the information indicated in the submission and the documents attached thereto fails to conform to the conditions for receiving the relevant aid;

2) knowingly false information has been provided.

(12) A local government may, within a year after granting the household aid, decide on the recovery of the unduly disbursed household aid. The local government shall take the decision on the recovery of the unduly disbursed household aid if it establishes that the relevant household aid has been disbursed unduly due to the fault of the submitter because he or she has provided false or incomplete information or has failed to notify of changes that may affect the right to such aid or the amount thereof. The decision shall be executed by a bailiff in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law on the basis of the execution order of a local government if the submitter fails to refund the overpaid amount voluntarily.

(13) The State shall compensate expenditures for local governments in the amount of 100 per cent for the provision of the household aid specified in Paragraphs one, two, three, four, 4.¹, and 4.² of this Section.

(14) In order to partially compensate the administrative costs incurred by the local governments in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2023, the State shall compensate EUR 8 for local governments for the registration and examination of one submission referred to in Paragraph five of this Section. The earmarked grant provided for covering the administrative costs shall be used by a local government for the remuneration of the employees involved in the provision of the service, the arrangement of workplaces for the abovementioned employees, and also the purchase of office hardware and equipment.

(15) In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2023, a local government may determine a supplement to the employees thereof who are involved in the process of examination of the submission referred to in Paragraph five of this Section and taking of a decision for the performance of other duties in addition to direct official duties in the amount of up to 30 per cent of the monthly wage in addition to the maximum amount of supplements specified in Section 14 of the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities.

(16) By the fifteenth day of the month following the reporting month, a local government shall, through the e-service eReports provided by the Treasury, submit a report to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development on the amount of funds actually used for the household aid and the number of examined submissions in accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the procedures by which the Treasury shall ensure the circulation of information through the e-services provided by the Treasury. The data indicated in the previous reporting period may be clarified within one month after submission of the initial report. The local government may submit the reports until 15 September 2023. The local government shall ensure control of the use of the funds specified in laws and regulations and the compliance thereof with the purpose of this Law.

(17) In order to ensure the financial means necessary for the provision of the household aid, a local government may, from 1 October 2022 by submitting the report referred to in Paragraph sixteen of this Section to the Treasury, request an advance payment from the State not exceeding EUR 424 694 for the first month of the period of aid. For subsequent months, the local government may request an advance payment in the amount of 50 per cent of the actual expenditures of the previous month for the provision of the household aid.

(18) The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development:

1) shall, within 10 working days through the e-service eReports of the Treasury, verify the conformity of the information referred to in Paragraph sixteen of this Section with the report of the Treasury and approve the report;

2) shall, once a month, compensate the expenditures referred to in Paragraphs thirteen and fourteen of this Section to local governments;

3) is entitled to conduct a random control of the use of the financing for the household aid and administrative costs, requesting additional information from the local government. In establishing violations of the use of the financing, the Ministry shall suspend the disbursement of the financing, request to clarify the report, and perform recalculation of the disbursed financial means. After clarification of the report or elimination of the violations, a recalculation shall be performed and a payment for the previous period shall be made or the unduly disbursed funds from the funds provided for the local government in the following month shall be deducted.

[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 9 February 2023]

Section 7.² Determination of Tariffs for Regulated Centralised Heating Supply Services during the Period of the Provision of the Aid

(1) In order to ensure commensurate increase in tariff burden for all groups of society, the regulator shall, by 31 October 2022, approve the draft tariffs for regulated centralised heating supply services which have been submitted and whereof the regulator has not taken any decision by 30 September 2022. The regulator shall approve the abovementioned draft tariffs in accordance with the tariff values included in the draft, without assessing the justification of costs forming the tariffs and supporting documentation on the merits.

(2) The approved tariffs referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall enter into effect on the day following the publication of the decision of the regulator in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis and shall be applicable until 30 April 2023. The time limit specified in Section 21, Paragraph five of the law On Regulators of Public Utilities shall not be applicable thereto.

(3) The regulator shall, by 1 December 2022, send a request for the submission of a new draft tariff to the regulated centralised heating supply service providers which are subject to the regulation referred to in Paragraph one of this Section. When preparing a new draft tariff, the regulated centralised heating supply service provider shall take into account the information on the basis of which the draft tariff referred to in Paragraph one of this Section was developed. The regulator shall assess the submitted draft tariff in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law On Regulators of Public Utilities.

(4) From 1 May 2023, such tariffs for thermal energy supply services shall be valid as applied by the regulated centralised heating supply service providers until 30 September 2022 which are subject to the regulation referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, unless otherwise decided by the regulator.

[29 September 2022]

Section 7.³ Procurement Regarding the Supply of Fuel for Energy Generation

In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, a contracting authority shall not apply the Public Procurement Law to the procurement regarding the supply of fuel for energy generation if the term of validity of the contract does not exceed six months.

[29 September 2022]

Chapter III
Aid Measures for Certain Population Groups

Section 8. Scope of Aid and Recipients of Aid

(1) In the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, the State shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 20 (hereinafter - the monthly aid of EUR 20) to a person residing in Latvia who in the period of disbursement of the aid is:

1) the recipient of old-age pension, disability pension, or survivor's pension granted in the Republic of Latvia, including the recipient of the pension granted before the due time and in advance, the recipient of the special State pension, the recipient of the service pension who has attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension, but to whom the old-age pension has not been granted, the recipient of the service pension who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension and to whom a disability has been specified, and also the recipient of the compensation for the loss of capacity for work or of the survivor's compensation, or the recipient of the State social security benefit - also if the disbursement of the benefit has been temporarily suspended;

2) the recipient of the care of disabled child benefit or allowance for persons with disabilities for whom care is necessary;

3) an adult person who has been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status and has attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension or to whom a disability has been specified and who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension, and also a person to whom a disability has been specified and who has been issued with the opinion of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability on the necessity for special care, and the monthly aid of EUR 20 has not been disbursed in accordance with Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section.

(2) In the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, the State shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 (hereinafter - the monthly aid of EUR 50) for each child of a person who in the period of disbursement of the aid is:

1) entitled to receive the childcare benefit for a child up to the age of one year or the State family allowance in accordance with the Law on State Social Allowances or who has the right to receive the maternity benefit due to the birth of a child and the child is born until 30 April 2022, or who is raising a child who is older than 16 years but under 18 years of age, does not study at a general secondary or vocational secondary education institution, and also at a higher education institution, including a college;

2) a parent, guardian, foster family of the child or the head of a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution if, during the period of the provision of the aid, the child resides in a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution, social correction education institution or at a prison and the monthly aid of EUR 50 per child has not been disbursed on another basis as provided for in this Paragraph;

3) a parent, guardian, foster family of the child or the head of a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution if, during the period of the provision of the aid, the child has been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status and the monthly aid of EUR 50 per child has not been disbursed on another basis as provided for in this Paragraph;

4) a person who studies at a general secondary or vocational secondary education institution or studies at a higher education institution, including a college, who has not attained the age of 24 years, and if the monthly aid of EUR 50 has not been disbursed to him or her on another basis as provided for in this Paragraph. The monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be granted to the child himself or herself if he or she has attained the age of 18 years. The persons referred to in this Clause who have received a temporary residence permit in Latvia do not have the right to receive the monthly aid of EUR 50.

(3) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be disbursed for the entire period for which the aid is to be disbursed to all persons referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, provided that the right to the aid arises for the person within the time period specified in this Section.

Section 8.¹ Recipients of the State Allowance and the Amount of the Allowance

(1) In the time period from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023 (hereinafter - the period of disbursement of the State allowance), a person residing in Latvia who, during the period of disbursement of the State allowance, is the recipient of the old-age pension, disability pension (including a supplement to the pension for the insurance period that has been accrued until 31 December 1995), or survivor's pension granted in the Republic of Latvia, including the recipient of the pension granted before the due time and in advance, the recipient of the special State pension, the recipient of the service pension who has attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in the law On State Pensions, but to whom the old-age pension has not been granted in accordance with the law On State Pensions, the recipient of the service pension who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in the law On State Pensions and to whom disability has been specified in accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability, and also the recipient of the compensation for the loss of capacity for work or of the survivor's compensation, or the recipient of the State social security benefit has the right to the allowance specified in this Paragraph (hereinafter - the State allowance), and the State allowance shall be disbursed to this person in the following amount:

1) EUR 30 per month if the total amount of the service or services referred to in the introductory part of Paragraph one of this Section is up to EUR 300 per month;

2) EUR 20 per month if the total amount of the service or services referred to in the introductory part of Paragraph one of this Section is from EUR 301 up to EUR 509 per month;

3) EUR 10 per month if the total amount of the service or services referred to in the introductory part of Paragraph one of this Section is from EUR 510 up to EUR 603 per month.

(2) In the period from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023, the following persons residing in Latvia have the right to the State allowance in the amount of EUR 30 during the period of disbursement of the State allowance:

1) the recipient of a supplement to the State family allowance for a child with a disability granted in the Republic of Latvia;

2) a person of legal age who has been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status in the Republic of Latvia and who legally resides in the Republic of Latvia with a valid residence permit issued in the Republic of Latvia or a temporary residence permit during the period of disbursement of the State allowance and who has attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in the law On State Pensions or to whom disability has been specified in accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability and who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension laid down in the law On State Pensions and the State allowance has not been disbursed in accordance with Paragraph one of this Section;

3) a person who has been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status in the Republic of Latvia and who legally resides in the Republic of Latvia with a valid residence permit issued in the Republic of Latvia or a temporary residence permit during the period of disbursement of the State allowance if such person has a child to whom disability has been specified in accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability or such child is under legal custody thereof and the State allowance has not been disbursed in accordance with Clause 1 of this Paragraph.

[11 August 2022]

Section 9. Conditions for Granting the Aid

(1) If a person concurrently receives several of the services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law, the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted thereto for one of the services.

(2) If a person concurrently receives any of the services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law, the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted thereto in double the amount.

(3) If the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 3 of this Law who has attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension or to whom a disability has been specified and who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension has been also issued with the opinion of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability on the necessity for special care, the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted thereto in double the amount.

(4) If the survivor's pension, survivor's compensation or the State social security benefit has been granted to a person for two or more family members of the deceased provider without the capacity to work, the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be granted for each family member of the deceased provider without the capacity to work.

(5) If the person has the right to concurrently receive the monthly aid of EUR 50 and the monthly aid of EUR 20 as the recipient of the survivor's pension, survivor's compensation or the State social security benefit for the loss of the provider referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law, the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be granted and disbursed thereto.

(6) If a person is entitled to concurrently receive the monthly aid of EUR 50 for himself or herself or for a child and the monthly aid of EUR 20 as a person receiving one of the services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this Law, the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be granted and disbursed thereto.

(7) If a person is entitled to concurrently receive the monthly aid of EUR 50 for himself or herself or for a child and the monthly aid of EUR 20 as a person receiving one of the services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of this Law, both benefits shall be granted and disbursed thereto.

(8) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be financed from the State basic budget.

Section 9.¹ Conditions for the Granting, Calculation, and Recalculation of the State Allowance

(1) Only the full amount of euros (excluding cents) shall be taken into account when calculating the total amount of the service or services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law applicable to determination of the amount of the State allowance.

(2) The right to the State allowance and the amount thereof shall be determined, taking into account the amount of the granted (recalculated) allowance for the service referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law on 1 November 2022 or on the day from which the allowance is granted if the allowance is granted after 1 November 2022. If the old-age pension has been granted to a person before the due time, 50 per cent of the amount of the granted (recalculated) old-age pension shall be taken into account when determining the amount of the State allowance.

(3) If a person concurrently receives several services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law, a single State allowance shall be granted and the total amount of allowances calculated for the services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law shall be taken into account when determining the amount of the State allowance. If the person concurrently receives the old-age pension and the difference between the old-age pension and the previously received service pension or compensation for the loss of capacity for work, the total amount of the amount of the granted (recalculated) old-age pension and the abovementioned difference shall be taken into account when determining the amount of the State allowance.

(4) If a person concurrently has the right to an allowance for any of the services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law and also receives an allowance for a child for any of the services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one or Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law, both State allowances shall be granted.

(5) If the right to the State allowance of a person arises both according to Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Law and Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 3 of this Law as the person who has a child to whom disability has been specified or who has such child under legal custody thereof, both State allowances shall be granted.

(6) If a person concurrently has the right to an allowance as the person who receives any of the services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law and as the person who receives the services referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law, a single State allowance shall be granted in the amount specified in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two of this Law.

(7) If a person concurrently and for the same child has the right to receive the State allowance as the recipient of the survivor's pension, the recipient of the survivor's compensation, or the recipient of the State social security benefit for the loss of the provider referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law and the recipient of the service referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law, a single State allowance shall be granted in the amount specified in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two of this Law.

(8) If the survivor's pension, survivor's compensation, or the State social security benefit has been granted to a person for two or more family members without the capacity to work of the deceased provider, the State allowance to such person shall be granted for each family member without the capacity to work of the deceased provider. The amount of the State allowance shall be determined by dividing the amount of the abovementioned service by the number of family members without the capacity to work of the deceased provider for whom such service is granted.

(9) If a person receives an allowance for the service referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law for several children, the State allowance shall be granted for each child for whom the service referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law is granted.

(10) Persons in places of imprisonment do not have the right to the State allowance.

(11) The State allowance shall be disbursed every month throughout the entire time period specified in Section 8.¹, Paragraphs one and two of this Law if the person has the right to an allowance in the relevant month.

(12) The State allowance shall be recalculated if the total amount of the allowance or allowances for the service referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraph one of this Law has decreased for a person. The amount of the State allowance shall be recalculated from the next month after the month of performing recalculation of the amount of the granted service.

[11 August 2022]

Section 10. Procedures for the Disbursement of the Monthly Aid of EUR 20

(1) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 20:

1) without the submission of the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law. Disbursement of the aid shall be commenced:

a) in February 2022 to all persons whereto the services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law are disbursed by the State Social Insurance Agency to an account in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS), transferring the monthly aid of EUR 20 to any of the accounts referred to by the person;

b) in March 2022 to all persons whereto the services referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law are disbursed by the State Social Insurance Agency at the place of residence indicated by the recipient, delivering the monthly aid of EUR 20 to the place of residence of the recipient free of charge;

2) on the basis of a submission of a person for granting the monthly aid of EUR 20 to the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clause 3 of this Law or to a recipient of a service pension of the Constitution Protection Bureau or the Military Intelligence and Security Service who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension and to whom a disability has been specified. The following shall be indicated in the submission:

a) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the submitter;

b) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the submitter;

c) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS) to which the aid is to be transferred.

(2) The Ministry of Defence shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 20 to a recipient of a service pension who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension and to whom a disability has been specified on the basis of the submission of the person for granting the aid. Disbursement of the aid shall be commenced:

1) in February 2022 to the persons whereto a service pension is disbursed by the Ministry of Defence to an account in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia, transferring the monthly aid of EUR 20 to any of the accounts referred to by the person;

2) in March 2022 to the persons whereto a service pension is disbursed by the Ministry of Defence at the place of residence indicated by the recipient, delivering the monthly aid of EUR 20 to the place of residence of the recipient free of charge.

(3) The submission referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 and Paragraph two of this Section for granting the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of Defence within six months from:

1) the day of coming into force of this Law;

2) the day on which the right to the monthly aid of EUR 20 arises in the time period referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one of this Law.

(4) The submission referred to in Paragraph three of this Section shall be examined and the decision on the disbursement of the monthly aid of EUR 20 shall be taken within 30 days after receipt of the submission. Disbursement of the aid to a person shall be commenced within 30 days after the day when the decision on its granting has been taken.

(5) For the person referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 1 and Paragraph two of this Section for whom the right to the monthly aid of EUR 20 has arisen until 30 April 2022 but to whom the aid has not been disbursed within the time limit specified in Paragraph one, Clause 1 and Paragraph two of this Section, the aid shall be disbursed within 30 days after the day when the decision on its granting was taken.

(6) If the monthly aid of EUR 20 is to be granted to the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law for several services, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the aid in accordance with the same procedures as the disbursement for the service for which the monthly aid of EUR 20 is granted.

(7) If the monthly aid of EUR 20 has not been disbursed to a person until the day of his or her death, it shall not be regarded as an unreceived service to which the spouse of the person, his or her kin of the first and second degree or another person may qualify on the basis of an inheritance certificate or court ruling.

Section 11. Procedures for the Disbursement of the Monthly Aid of EUR 50

(1) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 in the relevant month. The State Social Insurance Agency shall commence the disbursement in February 2022 without a submission of a person to the person who has been granted the childcare benefit or the State family allowance.

(2) For a person who has the right to receive the maternity benefit due to the birth of a child and the child is born until 30 April 2022, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 without the submission of the person within 45 days after the day when the maternity benefit is granted. The monthly aid of EUR 50 shall be disbursed for children who are born until the day of coming into force of this Law not later than by 31 March.

(3) For a person who has the right to receive the monthly aid of EUR 50 in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022 but who has not received the aid within the time limit specified in Paragraphs one and two of this Section and also for a person who, during the period of the provision of the aid, has the right to receive the maternity benefit due to the birth of a child and the child is born until 30 April 2022, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 without the submission of the person within 45 days after the day of granting the childcare benefit for a child up to the age of one year, the State family allowance, or the maternity benefit.

(4) For a parent, guardian, or foster family who, in the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, has the right to receive the aid referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two, Clauses 2 and 3 of this Law, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the aid on the basis of the submission of the person. The following shall be indicated in the submission:

1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the submitter;

2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the submitter;

3) the information on the child for whom the monthly aid of EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity number of the child);

4) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS).

(5) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 to the head of a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution on the basis of a relevant submission. The following shall be indicated in the submission:

1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the submitter;

2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the submitter;

3) the name of the long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution;

4) the information on all children for whom the monthly aid of EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity number of the child);

5) the account number of the credit institution of the long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution.

(6) For a person who has the right to the monthly aid of EUR 50 during the period of the provision of the aid for raising a child who is older than 16 years but under 18 years of age, does not study at a general secondary or vocational secondary education institution, and also at a higher education institution, including a college, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 within 45 days after receipt of the submission of the person. The following shall be indicated in the submission:

1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the submitter;

2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the submitter;

3) the information on the child for whom the monthly aid of EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity number of the child);

4) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS).

(7) For the person referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two, Clause 4 of this Law who has the right to receive the monthly aid of EUR 50 in the period of the provision of the aid, the State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 within 45 days after receipt of the submission of the person and the statement of an educational institution if the person studies at a higher education institution abroad. The following shall be indicated in the submission:

1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the submitter;

2) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the submitter;

3) the information on the child for whom the monthly aid of EUR 50 is requested (given name, surname, and personal identity number of the child) if the child has not attained the age of 18 years;

4) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS).

(8) The statement of a foreign higher education institution referred to in Paragraph seven of this Section which certifies that the person studies at a foreign educational institution must conform to the following requirements:

1) the document issued by a foreign higher education institution includes information which allows one to conclude unequivocally that the person is studying at the educational institution during the period of time specified in the document;

2) the document issued by a foreign higher education institution is accompanied by a translation in accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the use of the official language;

3) the requirements of the laws and regulations regarding the legalisation of documents have been conformed to when submitting the document of a higher education institution.

(9) A long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution, the Prison Administration, and a social correction educational institution shall, by 31 May 2022, provide the following information to the State Social Insurance Agency on the children who reside in the relevant institution:

1) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the child;

2) the date from which the child is at the relevant institution;

3) the number and date of the decision of the Orphan's and Custody Court or court ruling on the placement of the child into the institution.

(10) The State Social Insurance Agency shall examine the submission referred to in Paragraphs four, five, six, and seven of this Section and disburse the monthly aid of EUR 50 within 45 days after receipt of the submission.

(11) In defending the personal interests of a child in relationship with the parents, the Orphan's and Custody Court shall decide on the disbursement of the monthly aid of EUR 50 to the child himself or herself if he or she has attained 15 years of age and his or her parent has not received the monthly aid of EUR 50. The Orphan's and Custody Court shall immediately inform the State Social Insurance Agency of the submission received and the decision taken.

(12) The long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution shall ascertain the opinion of the child and use the granted monthly aid of EUR 50 to compensate the expenditures for the maintenance of the child.

(13) The submission for granting the monthly aid of EUR 50 for a child who is older than 16 years but under 18 years of age, does not study at a general secondary or vocational secondary education institution, and also at a higher education institution, including a college, and also for a child who has been granted the status of a refugee or alternative status during the period of the provision of the aid, and the for the persons referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two, Clause 4 of this Law shall be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency within six months from:

1) the day of coming into force of this Law;

2) the day on which the right to receive the monthly aid of EUR 50 is granted to the person in the time period referred to in Section 8, Paragraph two of this Law.

Section 11.¹ Procedures for the Disbursement of the State Allowance

(1) The State Social Insurance Agency shall disburse the State allowance:

1) without the submission of the person - to the recipients of the services referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one and Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law. The State Social Insurance Agency shall ensure disbursement of the State allowance. Disbursement of the State allowance shall be commenced in November 2022 by delivering the allowance to the address of the place of residence of the recipient indicated for receipt of the services subject to disbursement by the State Social Insurance Agency free of charge or by transferring to the account in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS) to which the current payment for the service referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one and Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law is transferred to the recipient of the State allowance;

2) on the basis of a written submission of a person for granting an allowance - to the person referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraph two, Clauses 2 and 3 of this Law or to a recipient of a service pension of the Constitution Protection Bureau or the Military Intelligence and Security Service who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension specified in the law On State Pensions and to whom a disability has been specified in accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability. The following shall be indicated in the submission:

a) the given name, surname, and personal identity number of the submitter;

b) the telephone number or electronic mail address of the submitter;

c) the account number in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia or the postal settlement system (PSS) to which the State allowance is to be transferred.

(2) The Ministry of Defence shall disburse the State allowance to the recipient of the service pension who has not attained the age necessary for granting the old-age pension specified in the law On State Pensions and to whom a disability has been specified in accordance with the decision of the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability on the basis of a written submission of a person for granting an allowance which shall include the information specified in Paragraph one, Clause 2 of this Section. Disbursement of the State allowance shall be commenced in November 2022 by delivering the allowance to the address of the place of residence of the recipient indicated for receipt of the service pension free of charge or by transferring to the account in a credit institution of the Republic of Latvia to which the current payment of the service pension is transferred to the recipient of the State allowance.

(3) The submission referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 and Paragraph two of this Section for granting the State allowance shall be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of Defence within six months from:

1) the day of coming into force of Section 8.¹ of this Law;

2) the day on which the right to the State allowance arises in the time period referred to in Section 8.¹, Paragraphs one and two of this Law.

(4) The submission referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 and Paragraph two of this Section shall be examined and the decision on granting or refusing to grant the State allowance shall be taken within 30 days after receipt of the submission by the State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of Defence. Disbursement of the State allowance to a person shall be commenced within 30 days after the day when the decision on its granting was taken.

(5) The persons referred to in the introductory part of Section 8.¹, Paragraph one and Paragraph two of this Law whose right to the State allowance arose until 31 May 2023, but who have not received the allowance until the abovementioned date, shall receive the State allowance within 30 days after the day when the decision on its granting was taken.

(6) If the State allowance specified in Section 8.¹, Paragraphs one and two of this Law has not been disbursed to a person until the day of his or her death, it shall not be regarded as an unreceived service to which the spouse of the person, his or her first-level and second-level kin or another person may qualify on the basis of an inheritance certificate or court ruling.

(7) The State allowance specified in Section 8.¹, Paragraphs one and two of this Law shall be financed from the State basic budget.

[11 August 2022]

Section 12. Aid Disbursement Reliefs and Procedures for Contesting and Appealing the Decision on Aid

(1) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 is comparable to the compensation referred to in Section 9, Paragraph one, Clause 16 of the law On Personal Income Tax which is not included in the annual taxable income and is not taxable with the personal income tax.

(2) The monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 shall not be subject to deductions and debt collection.

(3) In evaluating the material resources of a household for granting social assistance and social services, the local government social service office shall not take into account the monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 disbursed to the person, and also the household aid specified in Section 7.¹ of this Law and the State allowance for a person specified in Section 8.¹ of this Law.

(4) The decision of the State Social Insurance Agency in relation to the monthly aid of EUR 20 and the monthly aid of EUR 50 or contesting and appealing of the actual actions is determined in accordance with the Law on State Social Allowances.

[11 August 2022; 9 February 2023]

Section 12.¹ State Allowance and Household Aid Disbursement Reliefs and Procedures for Contesting and Appealing the Decision on State Allowance

(1) The household aid specified in Section 7.¹, Paragraphs one, two, three, four, 4.¹, and 4.² of this Law shall be subject to the provisions of Section 12, Paragraphs one and two of this Law.

(2) The State allowance specified in Section 8.¹, Paragraphs one and two of this Law shall be subject to the application of the provisions laid down in Section 12, Paragraphs one, two, and four of this Law.

[11 August 2022; 29 September 2022; 9 February 2023]

Section 13. Aid to Local Governments for Ensuring the Disbursement of a Housing Allowance

(1) For the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 September 2022, when calculating the amount of the housing allowance for a household, except for persons of retirement age living separately or persons with disability living separately or a household consisting only of persons of retirement age or persons with disability, specified in Section 35, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, a coefficient of 1.5 shall be applied to the amount of the guaranteed minimum income threshold or the coefficient specified by the local government if it is higher than that determined in this Paragraph. If compliance of a household with the criteria for evaluating the material situation specified in the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance is established in January 2022 and the household is able to submit the documents necessary for the calculation of the housing allowance determined by the Cabinet, the local government shall take the decision on granting the housing allowance as of January.

(2) For the time period between 1 June 2022 and 30 September 2022, the local governments shall, in calculating the amount of the housing allowance specified in Section 35, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance for the following types of households, apply the following coefficient to the amount of the guaranteed minimum income threshold:

1) to a person of retirement age living separately or a person with disability living separately, the coefficient of 2.5 or the coefficient specified by the local government if it is higher than that determined in this Clause;

2) to a household consisting only of persons of retirement age or persons with disability, the coefficient of 2 or the coefficient specified by the local government if it is higher than that determined in this Clause.

(2¹) In calculating the amount of the housing allowance specified in Section 35, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, the coefficient of 3 shall be applied to the amount of the guaranteed minimum income thresholds for a household for the time period between 1 October 2022 and 31 May 2023.

(2²) The amount of the housing allowance shall be calculated, taking into account the minimum norms of expenditure items for calculating the amount of a housing allowance laid down in the laws and regulations regarding the assessment of the material situation of a household and the receipt of social assistance, except for the following housings:

1) the amount of the housing allowance for a housing where heating is provided using solid fuel shall be calculated by applying not more than EUR 12 per square metre of the housing;

2) the amount of the housing allowance for a housing where heating is provided using gas or electricity shall be calculated according to meter readings but not more than EUR 4 per square metre of the housing.

(2³) The local government social service office shall examine the submissions for the assessment of the material situation of a household, granting of social assistance benefits and the status of a needy or low-income household submitted in the time period from 1 October 2022 to 31 May 2023 within 40 working days after receipt of the abovementioned submission and the documents specified in the laws and regulations regarding the assessment of the material situation of a household and the receipt of social assistance and shall take the decision on granting a housing allowance or refusing to grant the allowance. The housing allowance shall be granted to a household from the month of receipt of the submission.

(2⁴) If the material situation of a household has been assessed, the local government social service office, after coming into force of Paragraph 2.¹ of this Section, has the right to recalculate the housing allowance without the submission of the person.

(2⁵) The local government social service office shall transfer the calculated and granted housing allowance to the manager or the provider of utility services with the highest cost items, whereas the remainder - to another service provider, or shall disburse the amount to the submitter of the submission.

(2⁶) In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2023, a local government may determine a supplement to the employees of the social service office thereof who are involved in the process of examination of the submission referred to in Paragraph 2.³ of this Section and taking of a decision for the performance of other duties in addition to direct official duties in the amount of up to 30 per cent of the monthly wage in addition to the maximum amount of supplements provided for in Section 14 of the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities. In order to ensure optimal customer service, the local government social service office has the right to calculate the housing allowance in accordance with the provisions of this Section for the persons who fail to conform to the educational requirements laid down in the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance but have attained at least the first level of higher education.

(3) In order to partially compensate the expenditures for a housing allowance, the State shall provide an earmarked grant to local governments in the amount of 50 per cent of the actual expenditures for ensuring the disbursement of a housing allowance which have arisen in the time period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2023.

(3¹) In order to partially compensate for the administrative costs incurred by the local governments in relation to the examination of the submission referred to in Paragraph 2.³ of this Section and taking of a decision, the State shall compensate EUR 8 for local governments for one submission. The earmarked grant intended to cover the administrative costs may be used by a local government social service office for the remuneration of the employees involved in the provision of the service, arrangement of workplaces for the relevant employees, and also purchase of office hardware and equipment.

(4) By the fifteenth day of the month following the reporting month, a local government shall submit to the Ministry of Welfare, through the e-service eReports of the Treasury in accordance with the laws and regulations regarding the procedures by which the Treasury ensures the circulation of information through the e-services of the Treasury, a report on the amount of funds actually used for the housing allowance and the number of the submissions specified in Paragraph 2.³ of this Law. The data indicated in the previous reporting period may be clarified within one month after submission of the initial report. The local government may submit the reports until 15 July 2023. The local government shall ensure control of the use of the funds specified in laws and regulations and the compliance thereof with the purpose of this Law.

(5) The Ministry of Welfare:

1) shall, within 10 working days through the e-service eReports of the Treasury, verify the conformity of the information referred to in Paragraph four of this Section with the report of the Treasury and approve the report;

2) shall, once a month, compensate the expenditures arisen in relation to the aid specified in Paragraphs 2.³ and three of this Section to local governments;

3) is entitled to conduct a random control of the use of the earmarked grant for a housing allowance and administrative costs, requesting additional information from the local government. In establishing violations of the use of the financing, the Ministry shall suspend the disbursement of the financing, request to clarify the report, and perform recalculation of the disbursed financial means. After clarification of the report or elimination of the violations, a recalculation shall be performed and a payment for the previous period shall be made or the unduly disbursed funds from the funds provided for the local government in the following month shall be deducted.

(6) In order to ensure the funds necessary for the disbursement of the housing allowance, local governments, from November 2022, have the right to request an advance payment in the amount of 50 per cent of the actual expenditures for the housing allowance in the previous month.

[11 August 2022; 30 August 2022]

Transitional Provisions

1. The State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of Defence shall, in commencing the disbursement of the monthly aid of EUR 20 in February 2022, disburse the aid to the person referred to in Section 10, Paragraph one, Clause 1, Sub-clause "a" and Paragraph two, Clause 1 of this Law for January 2022 and February 2022. If the monthly aid of EUR 20 for January 2022 and February 2022 is not disbursed in February 2022, the aid shall be disbursed in March 2022 in addition to the monthly aid of EUR 20 for March.

2. The State Social Insurance Agency or the Ministry of Defence shall, in commencing the disbursement of the monthly aid of EUR 20 in March 2022, disburse the aid to the person referred to in Section 10, Paragraph one, Clause 1, Sub-clause "b" and Paragraph two, Clause 2 of this Law for January 2022, February 2022, and March 2022.

3. If, until 27 January 2022, the local government has granted a housing allowance for January 2022 to a household, applying the coefficient that is lower than 1.5, the local government shall recalculate the allowance in accordance with the provisions laid down in Section 13, Paragraph one of this Law and shall disburse the difference until 28 February 2022.

4. A housing allowance granted for the time period from 1 October 2022 to 31 May 2023 shall be recalculated after the end of the heating season of 2022/2023 but not later than until 30 June 2023.

[11 August 2022; 30 August 2022]

5. When issuing the current bill to a user of natural gas for natural gas trade service provided in August 2022, a natural gas trader shall take into account that the reduction of payments for the consumed natural gas referred to in Section 6 of this Law is applied for the time period starting from 1 July 2022, performing the relevant recalculation. If after recalculation an overpayment is established in the bill of the user of natural gas, the billing information for natural gas is corrected in subsequent billing periods until 30 April 2023.

[11 August 2022]

6. In the time period from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023, an electricity trader shall ensure monthly billing information on the actual electricity consumption to the household customers with electricity consumption above 500 kilowatt hours.

[11 August 2022]

7. The Cabinet shall, within a month, develop aid measures for the reduction of exceptional increase in energy resource prices to a household that uses propane gas for residential heating for the time period from 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023.

[30 August 2022]

8. The household aid provided for in Section 7.¹ of this Law in relation to which cash disbursements are requested in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph eight of this Section shall be disbursed from 1 November 2022.

[29 September 2022]

9. The Ministry of Economics shall, by 31 December 2022, make the compensatory payment to a public trader for the difference of the trade price of natural gas applied in determination of the final tariff for the trade of natural gas and the actual trade price of natural gas of captive consumers in the second half of 2022 which use natural gas for heating on the basis of the bill submitted by the public trader and the calculation agreed upon with the regulator.

[8 December 2022]

The Law shall come into force on the day following its proclamation.

The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 27 January 2022.

President E. Levits

Rīga, 28 January 2022

¹The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2023 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)