Graph of the number of protected users

The number of protected users qualifying for the reduction in their electricity bills has increased by more than a fifth or 20 thousand over the first two months of the introduction of the Protected User Information System. This trend is due to the fact that the State is automatically identifying recipients of aid on the basis of information at its disposal, without persons being required to apply for the aid themselves.

“In introducing and starting to operate the Protected User Information System, in less than two months we have not only improved the data retrieval process which demonstrates an increase in the number of protected users but also made the receipt of aid fully automatic. Hence, families and persons who qualify for the status of a protected user automatically receive the Sate aid to pay their monthly electricity bills. Moreover, starting from November bills, the amount of aid will be doubled and even trebled, thus compensating for the sharp increase in electricity prices. At the same time, I call on other electricity operators that have not yet engaged in the aid implementation mechanism to be socially responsible and take part in the provision of the service, so that we could provide aid to all protected users,” says Jānis Vitenbergs, Minister for Economics.

“We are currently seeing that the change of the conceptual approach to the receipt of aid has allowed us to cover and identify a wider range of protected users. Electricity operators play an important role in the provision of aid. With the implementation of the new system, all electricity operators are invited to join and provide the protected user service to their clients, thus giving a possibility to all who qualify for the status of a protected user to benefit from the relief provided by the State,” emphasises Svetlana Mjakuškina, Director of the SCCB.

On 1 September this year, the new Protected User Information System (ALDIS) managed by the State Construction Control Bureau (SCCB) has become operational. The System gathers information on protected users and provides electricity operators with data on the persons who qualify for the aid in the form of a reduction in electricity bills. The range of the protected users includes large families, persons with a Group I disability, families with disabled children, and low-income households.

Considering the data available to the SCCB before and after introduction of ALDIS, it is obvious that in August this year, the number of protected users receiving aid was 71,209, while already in October their number has increased by more than 20 thousand, reaching 91,894. In analysing the data on protected users receiving aid by groups, it can be concluded that the number of persons with a Group I disability and families with disabled children has increased by 61 %, the number of large families has risen by 50 %, and the number of poor and low-income families has grown by 3 %.

This stems from the change of the conceptual approach – persons are no longer required to apply for the aid. Now the information regarding protected users is retrieved from other national information systems which automatically identify the recipients of aid, calculate the amount of aid, and hand over the data to electricity operators. There are, of course, exceptions*, and solutions are sought for data automation. It should also be noted that the protected user service was only provided by one electricity operator until 1 September, whereas now the aid for protected users is already provided by two companies – A/S Latvenergo and SIA Tet. Other operators are invited to follow their example. Market has become open to any electricity operator, thus not limiting the choice of users or competition.

In addition to the above, it should be recalled that the Cabinet has supported amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 345, Regulations Regarding the Trade Service of a Protected Customer, at its sitting on 19 October which stipulates that starting from 1 November this year, the aid shall be increased by EUR 10 for all groups of protected users for the payment of electricity bills, thus compensating for the sharp increase in electricity prices. As regards the electricity consumed in November, the aid will be granted in the bills received at the beginning of December.

In case of any additional questions, consumers can contact the SCCB Division of Energy Resource Information System Development electronically at aldis.sistema@bvkb.gov.lv.

*For example, to ensure that aid is received by large families in which at least one child aged 18 to 24 years studies abroad, a manual solution has been introduced. In order to receive the aid, one of the parents should submit an application to the SCCB, indicating his or her name, surname, personal identity number, and a copy of the Latvian Honorary Family certificate.