--- title: "Energy aid granted again this year, Finance Minister" url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/82976/energy-aid-granted-again-this-year-finance-minister published: 2026-08-13T08:29:00Z language: en author: "Dumitru Petruleac" section: "Economic" source: radiomoldova.md --- # Energy aid granted again this year, Finance Minister > The energy compensation program will continue this winter season, with funds provided directly from the state budget. Finance Minister Victoria Belous assures that financial support will be prioritized for categories of citizens with high vulnerability. ![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/d8fd92bc-888d-45ef-8774-74711028a9b0.jpg) The energy compensation program will continue this winter season, with funds provided directly from the state budget. Finance Minister Victoria Belous assures that financial support will be prioritized for categories of citizens with high vulnerability. "We aim to reach the individuals who genuinely need to benefit from compensation. The responsibility for examining eligibility categories lies with our colleagues from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. Depending on the budget allocated, we will do our best to assist citizens," said Victoria Belous on August 12 during an interview with Realitatea. The minister emphasized that while compensation funds were previously sourced from European funds, this year the money will come from the national budget. "For several consecutive years, the European Union has provided financial support for these compensations. This year, however, the funding will come from the state budget, but we are committed to continuing the compensation process," Belous stated. **How beneficiaries will be determined** The authorities aim to direct aid to individuals who genuinely need support. To achieve this, they use several criteria in the beneficiary determination process, not just reported income. *"We are trying to assist those vulnerable citizens who have no income and, according to public information, truly require help. Various factors are considered when identifying beneficiaries for compensation. We use calculation formulas that take into account income, bank interest, and we indirectly estimate the available funds and property that an individual possesses,"* explained the minister. The authorities are also working to uncover situations where a person's actual income is not reflected in their tax returns. In such cases, an estimated income may be used in the calculation formula. *"Even if a person does not declare any income to the tax authorities, we recognize that they must be living on something. Therefore, a minimum wage per economy is incorporated into the cost of the formula,"* stated Victoria Belous. **Unemployed and other beneficiaries of social assistance** When asked if it is appropriate for taxpayer money to be used for compensation and social assistance, the Minister of Finance highlighted a noticeable decrease in the number of unemployed individuals receiving state payments in recent years. Victoria Belous explained that the process of granting compensation involves a thorough analysis of several criteria, aimed at ensuring support for only those who are truly vulnerable. "In the last five years, the number of people receiving unemployment benefits has drastically declined. If I'm not mistaken, it went from over ten thousand to around two to three thousand individuals. A significant cleanup has occurred in this area," the minister noted. She further elaborated that the formula used to calculate compensation takes into account the entire household's financial situation, considering factors such as income, economic activity, savings, and other assets. "There are multiple criteria considered when granting these compensations, including employment status, income, bank savings, and other relevant information that we observe. We strive to identify those who are genuinely in need. While the process may not be perfect, we are committed to supporting those who require assistance," Victoria Belous concluded. *** In the 2025–2026 cold season, the Government allocated 2.34 billion lei for compensation, fully funded by the state budget to assist citizens. During this season, the average compensation amount was 750 lei, with variations based on the type of heating source used. More than half of the beneficiaries received the maximum support level: 800 lei for households using solid fuels and 1,000 lei for those with other heating types. Over the past four years, the Government has allocated more than 11 billion lei through various support mechanisms to enhance the compensation program for the population.