VIDEO // Registration opens for energy compensation for 2026–2027 cold season

Registration for energy compensation under the governmental program “Ajutor la Contor” for the 2026–2027 cold season began on Monday, November 2. Authorities estimate that between 660,000 and 670,000 households will receive financial support this winter, with the required budget estimated at 2.6–2.7 billion lei. Applications can be submitted online via compensatii.gov.md or with the assistance of local social workers.

Minister of Labour and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru made the statement during a press conference. According to her, the program is intended to support families facing difficulties paying their energy bills during the cold season.


“This year as well, the Government of the Republic of Moldova continues to stand by citizens during the cold period of the year. We know very well that winter brings additional expenses and concerns about paying energy bills for many families. That is why we intend to continue providing support to households throughout the country, especially those for whom bills represent a significant financial burden,” Natalia Plugaru said.


To receive compensation for November, applicants must submit their applications by November 27. The first payments are scheduled for mid-December. Registration will remain open each month, from the 1st to the 25th, throughout the cold season, which runs from November through March. Support will be granted starting with the month in which the application was submitted.



The minister noted that people without internet access or who experience difficulties completing the online form will be able to receive assistance from more than 1,300 social workers trained nationwide.


“Applications must be submitted by November 27, online at compensatii.gov.md or with the help of a social worker or CUPS specialist,” the official said.


The estimated budget for the program this season is 2.6–2.7 billion lei. The state budget for the current year includes 500 million lei, while authorities are discussing with development partners and external donors how to identify the necessary resources.

According to Natalia Plugaru, the Government is committed to fully covering the funding required to provide compensation, depending on the number of eligible applications.


“As in the previous season, support will be provided in cash, regardless of the household’s main heating source: natural gas, thermal energy, electricity or solid fuel, including firewood. The amount of compensation will be calculated individually for each household, based on income, family composition and the degree of energy vulnerability,” the minister explained.


The minimum compensation will be 500 lei per month. For households using natural gas or thermal energy, the maximum amount may reach 1,000 lei, while for those heating with electricity or solid fuel, the ceiling will be 800 lei.

To complete the application, citizens must provide the identity details of all household members, including their first and last names and IDNPs, energy bill information, and each member’s monthly income for the period from April to September 2026.

Applicants must also indicate their personal IBAN code for the transfer of funds and, where relevant, the amount of their mortgage loan and the cadastral number of the residence.

The minister urged citizens not to rush to submit their applications during the first days of the month, since all applications will be reviewed regardless of the registration date.


“It is not based on a first-come, first-served principle, so we will examine absolutely all applications, regardless of when they were registered,” Natalia Plugaru stressed.


Five main criteria will be applied this season to determine household eligibility. One of them concerns the combined value of the real estate owned by family members, which must not exceed one million lei. The calculation will be based on the cadastral value established before the recent property reassessment process. According to the authorities, approximately 89% of the country’s properties fall below this threshold.

Another criterion, introduced this season, concerns ownership of a vehicle that is three years old or newer.


“In addition, the household members’ combined dividend income for 2025 must be below 150,000 lei, while income from interest must not exceed 4,000 lei. Historical heating consumption will also be taken into account: average monthly expenses during the previous season must be lower than the equivalent cost of 350 cubic meters of natural gas,” Natalia Plugaru said.


After these criteria are verified, a detailed assessment of energy vulnerability will be carried out through the Energy Vulnerability Information System. It correlates data from several official sources, including the State Tax Service, the National Social Insurance House, the Public Services Agency, energy suppliers, banking institutions, higher education institutions, and the National Council for Determining Disability and Work Capacity.

The program also includes measures to protect households from disconnection from utility services between November and March. Households receiving compensation cannot be disconnected if they pay at least 50% of the current bill.

At the same time, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is warning citizens to be alert to fraud attempts and not to provide personal or banking information to people claiming they can help them obtain compensation.



For additional information on submitting applications, citizens can call the “Ajutor la Contor” program’s toll-free call center at 0 8000 5000, Monday through Friday, between 08:00 and 18:00, or write to suport@compensatii.gov.md.


“Registration for the program is free of charge. The authorities do not request banking or personal information by phone, SMS or email and do not condition the granting of support on accessing messages or links sent from unofficial sources. People requesting assistance with completing the application are urged to verify the social worker’s official identification. Citizens’ personal data is handled responsibly, and protecting it is a major priority for us,” Natalia Plugaru emphasized.


The government program compensating energy bills was launched in 2022. During the previous four seasons, a total of 11.3 billion lei was allocated to provide support, with funds coming from the state budget and contributions from international development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Italy.

During the 2025–2026 cold season, the state allocated 2.34 billion lei to support approximately 620,000 households. The average monthly compensation amounted to 751 lei.

According to an impact assessment conducted by UNDP and published in September 2026, compensation provided during the last four seasons contributed to reducing energy poverty by 10.9 percentage points, absolute poverty by 12.7 percentage points, and extreme poverty by 11 percentage points among beneficiary households.