A number of 100,935 families benefit from cold-month allowances this winter, the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family said, quoted by IPN.

The cold-month benefit of 250 lei a month is offered for November-March to a family member, but the beneficiary is the whole family. Statistics show that the average size of a family that benefits from social welfare and cold-month allowances is 3.8 persons.

The beneficiaries include families on an average income lower than the guaranteed minimum income per person (720 lei starting with November 1), the pensioners, invalids and the unemployed as well as those who look after children younger than three, a family member with invalidity degree and the disadvantaged families that receive social welfare.

In order to benefit from this aid, the family must submit an application to the local social worker. Based on the data provided in the application, the district social assistance division takes a decision as to the family’s right to social welfare and/or cold-month allowance.

The cold-month benefit was instituted in January 2011. As many as 110,000 families received such benefit last year.