The State may support the family financially and provide other kind of support as well if parents are not able to fully support their family. In Latvia, there are two types of statuses that families which are in financial difficulties can obtain in order to receive special support. These statuses are: needy families and low-income families.
important The support available for families with financial difficulties may be subject to change.
Needy families
A family can be considered needy if the income of each family member is less than 128.06 euro per month and it has no other means of income. The status of a needy family is granted by the social service or social department of the municipality in which the family lives.
A family with this status is entitled to:
- a monthly benefit from the municipality ensuring the guaranteed minimum income level
note The amount of this benefit depends on the municipality, the special needs of the persons in the family and the actual income of the family
- 90% relief from property tax
- support for the payment of electricity used in the household
- relief from some medical expenses
- free legal aid in certain situations (if necessary)
- other kinds of support for needy families (depends on the particular municipality)
example A municipality may provide support in the form of articles of first necessity to needy families in accordance with the particular municipal regulations.
In emergency situations, a municipality may also provide families with lump sum payments, articles of first necessity or other kinds of support in goods in order to satisfy their urgent basic needs.
You can learn more about the needy family status and the types of support available for needy families in the social service or social department of your municipality.
Low-income families
The status of low-income family is granted by the social service or social department of the municipality depending on whether the family meets the criteria set out by the municipality’s regulations. Each municipality has determined a different amount of family income, which allows it to obtain the low-income family status.
A family with this status is entitled to:
- up to 90% relief from property tax
- support for payment of the electricity used in the household
- free legal aid in certain situations (if necessary)
- other kinds of support for low-income families (depends on the particular municipality)
example A municipality may provide free lunch in school for the children of low-income families in accordance with the particular municipal regulations.
You can learn more about the low-income family status and the types of support available for low-income families in the social service or social department of your municipality.