27-11-2012

Daugavpils government will keep GMI 45 lats benefit for the citizens

 Daugavpils City Council chairperson Žanna Kulakova considers that the government's decision to reduce the amount of the benefit on the guaranteed minimum income (GMI) to 35 lats is incorrect, especially now, when a society has a significant social tension. Therefore, Daugavpils local government is keeping GMI in its current form in the amount of LVL 45.

Next week, the deputies will be proposed to look through the draft decision on changes to binding rules, for both maintaining amount of benefit for the GMI, and providing further benefits for housing.

Žanna Kulakova explained that even if the government refuses to pay its part housing benefits (and this amount for Daugavpils in 2012 made 370 thousand lats), the local government will continue to assist its residents in the future. There will also be new categories of people who can apply for this benefit on payment for heat. Now we are working on the budget for 2013, looking for opportunities to satisfy all needs for social benefits.

The mayor told: "All of us understand very well that during the winter people find it difficult to survive. Citizens of Daugavpils cannot boast of high-income, and expenses are high. The fact that the citizens need help is clear because of large debts of the population for heat. Therefore the government cannot leave people without help. "

In addition, the deputies will be proposed to look through the question of the possibility of increasing the benefits and the amount of provided medical care, as the Department of Social Affairs is often attended by so many people asking for health care.