This week, the Saeima supported in the final reading the amendments to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, which provide for the simplification of the procedure for providing social assistance and reducing the administrative burden on municipal social services.
Amendments have established that in certain cases, social services of municipalities will be able to refrain from issuing written decisions on the provision of social assistance. For example, this will be possible when assigning a one-time benefit or a benefit for a specific period, if its amount does not change. A written decision will also not need to be issued when assigning a household the status of low-income or needy.
It has been established that in such cases, the decision will be considered communicated to the person at the moment of receiving the benefit — either in cash or by bank transfer to an account. In the case of assigning status, the decision will be considered communicated on the day the relevant certificate is issued.
The aim of the changes is to reduce administrative burdens, as until now, even in simple and favorable cases for the person, social services were required to prepare full written administrative acts, which demanded significant resources.
At the same time, the explanatory note emphasizes that the new procedure will only apply in cases where the content of the decision is unambiguous. In more complex situations, written decisions will still be necessary.
The amendments will not limit the rights of residents, as they will retain the ability to demand a written decision and appeal it in accordance with the procedures established by the Administrative Process Law.
It is noted that the changes will positively impact the work of social services, allowing them to devote more time to direct work with clients while simultaneously making the process of receiving assistance faster and simpler.
The amendments were developed in the Commission on State Administration and Municipalities and were considered on an urgent basis.
