On Thursday, the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, passed amendments to the Social Services and Social Assistance Law prepared by the Ministry of Welfare. These changes aim to support residents in paying high housing bills and to prevent the accumulation of debt, as many citizens find the current housing benefits insufficient in the face of rising living costs. The amendments will specifically increase the coefficients used to calculate housing benefits during this winter period from January 1 to April 30, allowing more families to access necessary assistance.

For instance, under the new provisions, a pensioner with a monthly income of 500 euros and housing expenses of 300 euros per month would see an increase in their housing benefit from 192 euros to 267 euros per month. The law’s authors have expressed that these reforms will also enable some households that previously did not qualify for assistance to now access the support they need. Households already receiving housing benefits will have their amounts recalculated automatically, while others will need to take action to apply for the increased benefits.

This legislative amendment comes amidst growing concerns over the financial burden on low-income families and highlights the government's commitment to alleviating the struggles faced by vulnerable citizens in Latvia. The decision reflects an understanding of the necessity for timely support in a challenging economic environment, indicating a step forward in the welfare of households dealing with financial hardships due to high living costs.