The Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources informs that the Program for the Protection of Vulnerable Energy Consumers for 2025 has been adopted, providing direct financial support and additional measures for the most vulnerable categories of citizens. The program, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth and the Energy Regulatory Commission, includes comprehensive measures to ease energy costs and improve the quality of life.
The program defines which categories of citizens fall into the group of vulnerable consumers and sets out measures for their protection. The financial support is aimed at households receiving guaranteed minimum assistance, families with children with disabilities, and caregivers of individuals in social risk. Each of these households, if they meet the criteria, will be able to receive subsidies to reduce monthly electricity costs by 1,000 denars per month.
The exemption from part of the electricity bill will apply for 12 months, and citizens will be able to apply for this support by submitting a request to the Ministry. A public call for registration will be published soon on the official website of the Ministry www.ea.gov.mk, as well as in two daily newspapers.
The program was adopted at the proposal of the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, and the total budget for its implementation is 60 million denars. The program includes the following measures:
· Direct financial support for vulnerable energy consumers, implemented by the Ministry of Social Policy. Approximately 40,000 households will receive a cash allowance to cover part of their energy costs from October to March. Additionally, beneficiaries have the right to a ban on disconnection from the network in December, January, and February, the right to postpone/restructure unpaid debts, priority for repairs to the network, and exemption from costs for reconnection.
· Reduction of electricity bills by 1,000 denars/month (12 months) for:
- Households with children with disabilities, if the total monthly net income of the household in 2024 does not exceed the following amount:
- 42,000 denars for a two-member household
- 60,000 denars for a three-member household
- 80,000 denars for a four-member or larger household.
- Foster families – For them, the upper limit of monthly net income is increased from 80,000 to 160,000 denars, depending on the number of foster children, with the special foster care allowance not being included in this amount.
The program also sets important deadlines and obligations, meaning the support will cease if the user does not pay two consecutive bills, and all users are required to pay the remaining amounts on their bills on time.
The Ministry remains dedicated to creating policies that provide protection for the most vulnerable categories of citizens and improve their access to energy resources. Ensuring access to energy under affordable conditions remains a priority.
Respectfully,
Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources