State starts paying heating compensation for March

The state has begun paying heating compensation for March under the Help at the Meter program. The payments were transferred today to beneficiaries’ bank cards and, starting tomorrow, can also be collected at post offices.

Around 622,000 vulnerable families are receiving energy compensation this cold season. The financial aid ranges from 500 to 1,000 lei and covers, on average, up to 40% of the bill cost.

Minister of Labour and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru said that the Government continues to support the population during the cold season through measures that combine financial assistance with energy efficiency programs designed to reduce long-term vulnerability.


“Starting in November, we have recorded an increase in the number of eligible households. We are committed to standing by our citizens. Help at the Meter program continues to provide support to vulnerable households, including pensioners, people with disabilities, young people and children, for whom this assistance is indispensable during the cold season,” said Natalia Plugaru.




Thus, 53% of households receive the maximum compensation, which is 800 lei for solid fuel and 1,000 lei for other heating sources.


“In total, approximately 1.2 million citizens receive compensation, meaning half of the country’s population. The hotline – 0 8000 5000 – remains active, where citizens can call to get answers to all their questions,” said Plugaru.


The program has been providing energy compensation to vulnerable households for the fourth consecutive year, during the November–March period. The aid is granted in the form of monetary payments, disbursed monthly. For this purpose, 1.5 billion lei were allocated from the state budget in 2024, and 2.34 billion lei in 2025.

To determine whether a household qualifies for compensation and to establish the value of the compensation, the Energy Vulnerability information system applied a series of eligibility and qualification criteria, accessing information from more than 11 state databases and information systems. Help at the Meter program is technically supported by UNDP and the Government of Italy.