Moldova offers energy relief: Help at the Metre program
The Moldovan government has initiated a new program, "Help at the Meter," to assist households in navigating rising energy costs.
The program, officially launched on November 5th, offers financial compensation to eligible households.
To qualify for compensation, individuals must register on the compensatii.gov.md platform by November 28th. This can be done independently or with the assistance of a local social worker. Unlike previous years where compensation was directly applied to energy bills, this year's program provides direct financial aid. Beneficiaries can choose to receive the funds via postal services or a direct transfer to their social card or personal bank account.
The amount of compensation will be determined based on specific criteria, including household income and family size. The final compensation amounts will be announced in late November or early December, prior to the issuance of November's energy bills. Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, has assured citizens that the total cost of energy for households will not exceed previous years' levels.
The program prioritises households with specific needs, such as families with young children, individuals with disabilities, and households with mortgages. To ensure accurate assessments, citizens are encouraged to honestly declare all income sources, including dividends, bank transfers, rental income, and other financial gains. Government authorities will verify this information against existing databases.
To be eligible for compensation, all households, regardless of previous registration status, must submit an application. This can be done online through the compensatii.gov.md platform or in person with the help of a registrar. Eligible households include those using natural gas, thermal energy, electricity, or solid fuels (wood, coal, pellets, or briquettes) for heating.
If an application is submitted after November 28th, compensation will be provided starting from the following month.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
