National Assembly Approves Bill to Compensate Utility Costs for Over 70 Single Pensioners

The National Assembly has approved in the second reading and fully the bill on "Targeted Social Assistance for Single Pensioners Living in Social Housing Funds in the Republic of Armenia." During the Assembly session yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Gemafin Gasparyan, noted that the bill underwent significant changes after its first reading.

"The title of the bill reflects a specific change that occurred after its acceptance in the first reading, which broadens the circle of beneficiaries. Previously, the title of the existing law referred to 'social housing funded by the state in the Republic of Armenia...'; now such social housing can also be with no state support, and there are such apartments. There are single pensioners living in various organizations who are in the same status, and with this amendment, we equalize those statuses and also allow pensioners living in social housing funded without state support to benefit from compensation for water, gas, and electricity," Gasparyan stated.

He also reported that with this amendment, an additional 17-18 beneficiaries will be able to receive compensation for utility expenses. The amount of social assistance for each year is defined by the Government of Armenia, and after the adoption of this law, the government will establish the procedure and conditions for providing social assistance.

According to preliminary calculations (based on the average amounts paid for natural gas, electricity, and water consumed over the last two years), each single pensioner pays an average of 12,000 drams monthly (for all three services), which totals 144,000 drams annually. If fully compensated, 144,000 drams will be required per resident per year, and for 59 residents, a total of 8,496,000 drams annually. Upon adoption of the bill, each resident of the social home will save 144,000 drams per year, which they can spend to meet their essential needs.

The bill was approved with 112 votes in favor during the National Assembly session on December 4.