Serbia implements financial aid law to mitigate energy crisis

The National Assembly of Serbia has adopted the Law on Mitigating the Consequences of the Energy Crisis and Rising Cost of Living. The law, which entered into force on September 1, aims to protect economically vulnerable populations and increase the purchasing power of all adult citizens while maintaining fiscal sustainability.

The legislation provides two types of support. First, one-time financial assistance is designated for specific groups, including pensioners, the socially vulnerable, and veterans. For pensioners, payments will range from 20,000 to 35,000 dinars depending on their pension amount. Veterans will receive 10,000 dinars, and socially vulnerable categories will receive 25,000 dinars.

Certain beneficiaries, such as pension and disability insurance recipients, child allowance recipients, and those receiving social assistance or veteran benefits, will receive these payments automatically without the need to apply.

Second, the law provides a one-time cash compensation for all adult citizens who do not already hold status as a beneficiary under existing laws regarding free actions or privatization procedures. Applications for the 6,000 dinar assistance for these citizens are set to begin soon.