The Riga municipality is simplifying the provision of Riga social services, expanding accessibility for residents and significantly reducing the administrative burden on clients.
- Co-financing for social care centers is now available for services throughout Latvia.
- Financial support for home care increased to 690 euros per month, with significant raises for children’s respite services.
- Administrative document flow has been shifted from the client to a direct exchange between social services and providers.
Expansion of Service Accessibility
Co-financing from the Riga municipality is now available for social care center services throughout Latvia, removing previous restrictions that limited support to Riga and its surrounding areas.
Eligibility for video visits and other social services has been broadened beyond home care clients. Additionally, individuals with severe mental disorders now have expanded rights to access day care centers, with plans to establish another such center by 2027.
New co-financing has been introduced for social rehabilitation programs for children with functional disorders, providing up to 4,500 euros per year for approximately 100 families. Municipal co-financing for home care has also increased from 610 euros to 690 euros per month.
Changes in Co-financing Procedures
The municipality has implemented controls to prevent double financing while allowing for co-payments based on a social worker’s assessment. Co-financing applications are now determined by actual budget volume rather than being automatically applied on January 1.
In emergency situations where care cannot be provided at a residence, the municipality will cover expenses for short-term institutional care without requiring an income assessment. Exceptions for meal co-payments in day centers and short-term care have also been clarified to support low-income households.
Several service rates have been increased due to rising prices. Psychological support services rose from 38 to 43 euros, and respite services for children increased from 5,030 to 8,550 euros per year.
Simplification of Administrative Procedures
The Department of Welfare will now manage queues, issue referrals for municipal co-financed services, and handle the conclusion of service contracts.
To reduce the burden on clients, the document flow—including family doctor certificates and psychiatrist conclusions—will now occur directly between the Social Service and the service provider.
The municipality has also canceled restrictions on the validity period of documents. This change eliminates the need for clients to repeatedly submit medical certificates when health conditions remain unchanged.
These amendments further define the principles of queue formation, service delivery procedures, and the respective rights and obligations of all involved parties.
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