Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has asked Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru to tighten the criteria for granting energy compensation during the cold season, saying the assistance should reach only vulnerable people.
Tofan made the statement at the beginning of a Cabinet meeting. He said each household would be assessed, but acknowledged that the risk of people evading the system remains, particularly in cases involving undeclared employment.
“There are people who work off the books. There are people who, you know, have two cars and a large house, but officially report very low incomes. These people also receive compensation. So, the challenge for us, and the instructions I have given very explicitly to Ms. Plugaru’s team, is to make greater use of indirect income criteria. For example, whether a person owns an expensive house, whether they have registered cars, whether they have bank deposits, whether they have paid themselves dividends. (…) We should not use public money to pay people who are simply more cunning than others, report low incomes, and still receive money for heating,” Tofan said.
Authorities have not yet announced the exact formula for providing compensation to help households pay their energy bills during the cold season. Government officials previously said the support could be included directly in utility bills.
The government has allocated a total of 550 million lei for monetary energy compensation for November and December 2026, or an average of 275 million lei per month.
The amount is lower than in 2025, meaning that fewer households are expected to receive heating compensation this year. Last year, the assistance was provided to around 760,000 families and households.