BENEFITS FOR ENERGY-VULNERABLE CITIZENS

4. December 2019.

The Republic of Serbia earmarked more funds for energy- vulnerable citizens in its budget for 2020 than it had done the year before - one billion and 560 million dinars. It is not easy for the citizens to meet all the criteria for obtaining the status, while a failure in providing sufficient information, which is the responsibility of local self-governments, is still the main obstacle.

Recipients of social welfare and child allowances are entitled directly to 120 to 250 free kilowatt hours of electricity and up to 75 cubic meters of gas per month, without filing a claim. The limit for one-person households is up to 14,571.74 dinars, for two and three-member households up to 21,216.14 dinars, for four and five member - families up to 27,856.18 dinars and for six or more member-families up to 35,030.72 dinars.

“It is a regulation adopted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and it is applied throughout Serbia. Those who exceed the limit won’t be able to exercise their right,” said Danijela Milosavljevic, a social affairs councilor at the municipality of Vranje.

Electricity benefits are valid for one calendar year, so everyone exercising this right must prepare a new claim, so that they could receive reduced bills from January 2020 onward.

Source: RTV Rhythm and Coordination Body