Liepāja sees new applicants as housing support rises

More people in Liepāja are asking about housing benefits ahead of changes that will increase support during the heating season, LSM reported. Some have never sought help from the city’s Social Service, partly because they mistakenly believe heating support will be available without an assessment of income or other criteria.

From November 1, changes to the housing benefit calculation will widen the group of people eligible for assistance in Latvia. The benefit is calculated individually for each household, based on its income and expenses. Applicants do not need to have low-income status.

The Liepāja Social Service says it is receiving consultation requests from people who have never applied for social assistance, sometimes as many as 10 a day. The service cannot yet estimate how many will qualify; eligibility can be assessed after consultations and once heating bills are submitted.

Older people and parents raising children alone are among those who most often apply, said Inga Šukste, head of the Social Assistance Department at the Liepāja Social Service.

One pensioner, Imants, lives alone, has poor eyesight and buys firewood for heating. He receives a heating benefit once a year, amounting to 365 euros this year. His pension is 323.20 euros a month, and he said he has to live frugally and pay people to carry in his firewood.