In Rēzekne, the benefits of the voluntary initiative of the municipality for the most socially vulnerable residents are significantly reduced for reasons of economy, LETA agency was informed by the Social Service of the municipality.
From the range of benefits of the voluntary initiative of the municipality of Rēzekne, the payment of two benefits – for the care of a newborn and for a guardian – has been temporarily suspended.
The municipality draws attention to the fact that the target groups of these benefit recipients have the right to apply for and receive state-determined reliefs and benefits, the payment of which is ensured by the State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA).
The social service explains that the decision to make changes in the social support of the municipality was made in order to ensure the performance of the basic functions within the competence of the municipality and taking into account the current financial situation. The changes came into effect on April 25.
The reduction of local government support indirectly affects the quality of functioning of groups of socially disadvantaged persons, so the meal allowance for a child with a disability, which is granted based on the application of one of the child’s parents, remains unchanged. A child with a disability who is studying a preschool education program in one of the municipal preschool education institutions has the right to receive an allowance in the amount of 100% of the fee for the catering service. The allowance is granted the following month after the receipt of the application for the period until December 31 of the current year and is provided on the basis of the lists submitted by the catering service provider about the children’s actual attendance at the preschool educational institution.
From now on, social actions will not be organized in Rēzekne on Easter and Christmas, during which poor households had the opportunity to receive lunch at the shelter. The soup kitchen continues to operate.
The municipality of Rēzekne continues to provide a meal allowance for students from a poor or low-income family, fully covering the cost of meals in municipal schools and preschool educational institutions. The benefit is granted and paid by the Social Service.
The municipality has stopped providing support for receiving hygiene and healthcare services. The expenses of sauna service and medical rehabilitation service will not be covered. Therefore, pensioners, persons with disabilities, poor and low-income persons will have to pay the full fee for the sauna service, as determined by the sauna service provider.
The social service continues to provide a shower service and a laundry and drying service. A poor or low-income person, a person of retirement age, or an adult with a disability has the right to receive these services. Both services can be obtained at the Social Service, Zemnieku Street 16A, while at Patversme, Bukmuižas Street 3 – only shower service. Services are provided for a fee, namely, using a shower – 2.54 euros, washing clothes with your own powder – 1 euro, with Social Services – 1.21 euros, drying clothes – 1.82 euros.
Rezekne. Photo: Paula Churkste/LETA
Tags: Rezekne benefits socially vulnerable residents significantly reduced
