Oradea Social Assistance Directorate*

The minimum inclusion income represents the monthly financial support granted by the state in order to ensure the minimum standard of living for single persons or families with legal residence in Romania, if the net monthly income of the single person or family is lower than the guaranteed minimum income.

The payment of the minimum inclusion income is ensured by the Bihor County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection, from the budget of the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity.

For the amounts granted as minimum inclusion income, one of the able-bodied adults in the family must perform monthly actions or works of local interest for all family members, without exceeding the normal working hours; failure to fulfill this obligation will result in the suspension of the minimum inclusion income, and if within 3 months from suspension this obligation is still not fulfilled, the payment of the minimum inclusion income ceases.

The home heating aid and the energy supplement are part of the category of social benefits granted through the Oradea Social Assistance Directorate.

Content and role of documents

Content of documents – personal data, data on the income earned by applicants and information regarding the assets owned;

Role of the documents - form the basis for establishing or denying the right to heating aid/energy supplement, modification or termination of these benefits; the rights are established through the issuance of the mayor's decision.

Document circulation

- Documents forming the basis for the granting of aid: The applications and affidavits accompanied by supporting documents regarding the family composition and the income earned by its members are registered by applicants at the DAS Oradea headquarters - Public Relations and Initial Evaluation Service and at the Multifunctional Social Centers in the city's neighborhoods; the data is processed in computer software; at the end of the grant period (November – October) an archive is created;

- Institutional use documents: Counselor - Head of Service - Executive Director - Mayor of Oradea - Thermal/gas/electricity supplier – AJPIS Bihor/other institutions.

Applicants for home heating aid/energy supplement submit individually or through owners’/tenants' associations the applications and affidavits accompanied by supporting documents on the family composition and income earned by its members at the headquarters of DAS Oradea – Public Relations and Initial Evaluation Service and at the Multifunctional Social Centers in the city’s neighborhoods.

Monthly, the counselors in charge process in the software the newly registered applications/the modifications/terminations of rights for the period between the 21st of the month until the 20th of the following month; they check the veracity of the declared data, determine rights, draw up reports and decisions, generate summary lists with beneficiaries and send them to energy suppliers and AJPIS Bihor; they prepare Statistical Reports and send them to AJPIS Bihor; they check the Payrolls containing the beneficiaries sent by suppliers, forward them for certification and send them to AJPIS Bihor for settlement; they prepare Payrolls for aid/energy supplement beneficiaries using solid and/or liquid fuels.

Carrying out the activity’s operations and actions

- documenting regarding the legislative provisions in the area of home heating aid/energy supplement – counselors with duties within the Social Service;

- materials/supplies necessary for the proper conduct of the activity are requested from the Economic-Financial and Administrative Service within DAS Oradea through a Necessity Report;

- the Application/Affidavit forms regarding changes/On-site verification sheet are printed in collaboration with Oradea City Hall, based on a Report/Internal Note to the Directorate for Monitoring Operating Costs and Event Organization;

- a written request is addressed to the Economic Directorate within the City Hall of Oradea and to the thermal energy supplier requesting the communication of the local billing price to the population for thermal energy;

- letters of intent are sent to institutions holding databases for the conclusion of protocols/additional documents for monthly verifications, throughout the period of granting benefits (November – October), regarding incomes (salaries, allowances, pensions)/movable and immovable property of benefit applicants;

- the List of assets that exclude eligibility for aid, the List of documents to be attached to applications, the Income thresholds for each of the 4 types of benefits will be posted electronically on the institution’s website and also made available in paper format; these documents will also be made available to Owners’ Associations and in electronic format by email communication with the assistance of the Owners’ Associations Guidance and Control Bureau within Oradea City Hall;

- the conditions for granting home heating aid/energy supplement, as well as other information related to these benefits, will also be made public in the local press by press releases;

- applicants will fill in the Application and affidavit accompanied by documents supporting family composition, earned incomes as well as proof of housing, and will submit them individually to the Public Relations and Initial Evaluation Service, to the Multifunctional Social Centers in city neighborhoods or submit them online;

- Applications and affidavits must be submitted by the 20th of each month to receive support starting with the current month (e.g. – by November 20), and after the 20th of the month to receive it starting next month.

- The counselor, with permanent or temporary duties, checks the consistency between the data completed in the application and supporting documents attached to it. For incomplete applications, the applicant will be notified in writing (and verbally – by phone) by an invitation about the inconsistencies found.

- The counselor writes their legible name, date and signature, registers the application in the special register/computer system (only complete applications will be registered), each application receiving a distinct number containing the following elements: applicant’s name and surname, supplier code, address, signature of the person who submitted the application;

- A registration number from the special (electronic) register will be issued for each submitted application/type of heating – a number that will also be used for archiving the applications;

- Complete and registered applications for granting home heating aid/energy supplement for: thermal energy, electric energy, solid or oil fuels as well as natural gas will be processed in the computer system, assigning them a distinct number from the institution's CID software, creating the database for establishing the granting/denying of benefits. If there are suspicions about the truthfulness of statements made by the applicant, on-site checks may be performed (On-site verification form); if the applicant/beneficiary is not found at home, a Finding Note is drawn up and an invitation is left in the mailbox to arrange a home visit and complete the Verification Form;

- Within 15 working days from the registration of the application for heating with electricity, an on-site check (On-site verification form) is performed, necessary and essential; after that, the data is processed in the software, and the granting/denying of benefits is established;

- Every month, the movable and immovable property of applicants/beneficiaries of home heating aid/energy supplement are checked by overlapping the database with the records of the Economic Directorate of Oradea City Hall, as well as with the records of the Civil Status Service regarding deceased persons; also monthly, based on cooperation protocols concluded, the provision of information regarding incomes of beneficiaries is requested from A.J.P.I.S., A.J.O.F.M., C.J.P., etc., and also by Internal Note the situation regarding personal assistants and allowances granted by DAS Oradea;

- Granting/denying, modifying/terminating the heating aid/energy supplement is done by mayor’s decision, which will be communicated to the beneficiaries, A.J.P.I.S. and suppliers within 5 days from date of issuance; the maximum aid is calculated for heating with thermal energy, considering the average consumptions set for the temperate zone and the local gigacalorie price;

- The beneficiaries of home heating aid are obliged to communicate any change in the family composition and its incomes, within 5 days from the change, by submitting the Affidavit regarding changes in the family composition and/or its incomes, accompanied by supporting documents;

- The modifications or, as applicable, the termination of the right to home heating aid is done starting from the following month in which the change occurred;

- In case of modifications, new decisions regarding the change of aid will be issued.;

- At the beginning of the cold season, the manner of payment for home heating aid with solid fuels is established by mayor's decision;

- Monthly, after establishing the right to heating aid, summary documents are drawn up for all types of aid/energy supplement containing: name, surname, supplier code, amount and percentage of aid, which are communicated to: suppliers and A.J.P.I.S.;

- Suppliers of thermal, electric and natural gas energy send, based on the summary, payrolls to homeowners’ associations; the associations are obliged to transmit to the energy suppliers the detailed consumptions;

- Based on the Reports, thermal, electric or gas suppliers calculate the actual aid and send the situation to DAS Oradea for certification by the mayor; the verified and certified lists become payment documents and are sent to A.J.P.I.S. Bihor for payment into the ESCROW accounts of suppliers; a copy is sent back (electronically and/or printed) to suppliers;

- Based on the monthly summary of beneficiaries of home heating aid/energy supplement with solid fuels sent to A.J.P.I.S. Bihor and in accordance with the Decision on how benefits are paid, DAS Oradea requests the amounts necessary for the payment of benefits through the Economic-Financial and Administrative Service; the situation of the aid for heating/energy supplement with solid fuels is reported monthly, by Internal Note also to the Economic-Financial and Administrative Service, which will make the payments based on the Payroll; if, at the end of the cold season, there are beneficiaries who have not collected their financial rights, Payrolls are drawn up, based on a written request of the beneficiary;

- The period in which the home heating aid with solid fuels will be paid will be communicated through media channels and sms;

- Monthly, Statistical Reports are drawn up listing the beneficiaries of home heating aid/energy supplement (numeric) separately for each type of aid (electric energy, thermal energy, natural gas, solid fuels) and sent to A.J.P.I.S. Bihor;

- If undue aid is found to have been granted, it ceases the following month and the mayor’s decision is issued for the recovery of the sums paid as heating aid/energy supplement; the mayor’s decisions establishing debts are sent to A.J.P.I.S. Bihor for the issuance of the Executive Director’s Decisions on the recovery of unduly granted amounts;

- The resolved applications accompanied by the supporting documents will be archived in order of their registration numbers from the special registers/software.

Beneficiaries

Heating aid and energy supplement are granted tofamilies and single persons with low incomes to cover all or, as appropriate, part of the home heating costs, for the cold season November – March and to ensure all or, as appropriate, part of the costs of household lighting, support for cooking facilities and providing hot water in the home, ensuring the continuity of power supply for life-dependent equipment for health reasons, and for the use of communication devices requiring energy for the period November - October.

Granting the right

Families and single persons with low incomes who use centralized thermal energy for home heating benefit from aid by percentage compensation of the actual value of the thermal energy bill. Vulnerable consumers, who use natural gas, solid or oil fuels, or electricity for heating, benefit monthly, depending on the net monthly income per family member, of an amount set by law. The energy supplement is granted in a fixed amount, depending on the sources of energy supply used. The funds necessary for the payment of home heating aid are ensured from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity.

The social inquiry is an investigation method based on various techniques for collecting and processing information, for the purpose of analyzing the social and economic situation of individuals, families, groups, or communities.

The social inquiry is carried out by the specialized social service within the town hall in whose territorial jurisdiction the person with disabilities has their domicile or residence.

For carrying out the social inquiry, the applicant (as the case may be, their family, legal representative, personal assistant, the non-governmental organization of which the person with disabilities is a member or, in their absence, by any person representing them) will submit to the headquarters of the Oradea Social Assistance Directorate - Public Relations and Initial Evaluation Service, an application accompanied by the necessary documents for drafting the social inquiry. Subsequently, a field verification will be conducted at the patient's home.

Social housing is assigned with subsidized rent to individuals or families whose economic situation does not allow them to own a home or rent a home under market conditions.

Access to social housing, with the intention of renting, is granted to families or individuals with a net monthly income per person, earned in the last 12 months below the average net monthly salary in the economy as a whole, as communicated by the National Institute of Statistics in the latest Statistical Bulletin prior to the month in which the application is analyzed, as well as prior to the month in which the housing is allocated.

Social housing is allocated by local public administration authorities (Local Councils) based on criteria established annually by them.

• homeless people
  
• persons over 18 years old at social risk
  

Persons wishing to benefit from social services shall submit an application at the center's headquarters in Oradea, Johann Gutenberg Street, no. 8 and attach a copy of their identity document. Applications will be analyzed and approved by the head of the center, in accordance with eligibility criteria.

In cases where individuals do not possess identity documents, community services may also be provided without assessment, it being sufficient to register the persons in the registry or attendance lists.

Eligibility criteria for beneficiaries:

• must be homeless people,
• must be persons over 18 years old, at social risk

Conditions for termination of social services provided by the Gutenberg Community Center:

• repeated non-compliance by the beneficiary of social services with the center's rules (R.O.F.) of the social service provider;
• if the beneficiary has inappropriate behavior that makes their counseling at the center incompatible with security conditions for themselves, other beneficiaries, or center staff;
  
• at the beneficiary's request;
  
• in case of the beneficiary's death;
  
• force majeure.

Procedure Description

The services of the social assistance canteen are granted free of charge to persons who have no income or whose income is below the net monthly income level, for a single person, taken into account when determining social assistance.

Entitled persons to benefit from the services of the social assistance canteen and who have income above the net monthly income level, for a single person, taken into account in establishing social assistance, may benefit from the services of the social assistance canteen, by paying a 30% contribution from the income per person, without exceeding the cost of the meals served, calculated over the same period.

For the social services of the social assistance canteen, able-bodied persons in the family must carry out 72 hours per month of actions or work of local interest, without exceeding the normal working hours; failure to fulfill this obligation results in the suspension of the granting of the social assistance canteen, and if within 3 months from the suspension this obligation is not fulfilled, the granting of the social assistance canteen is terminated.

Beneficiaries

Children up to 18 years old who come from families benefiting from social assistance and the social assistance canteen, under the care of those families whose average net monthly income per person is below the net monthly income level, for a single person, taken into account for establishing social assistance and who prove attendance at the day courses of an educational institution.

Granting the right
The meal at the social assistance canteen is granted based on a self-declaration requestaccompanied by supporting documents regarding the family composition, income earned in the month prior to submitting the request by its members, and the goods held, including in other administrative-territorial units.

The social inquiry is an investigation method based on different techniques for collecting and processing information, for the purpose of analyzing the social and economic situation of individuals, families, groups, or communities.

The social inquiry is carried out by the specialized social service within the town hall in whose territorial jurisdiction the person with disabilities has their domicile or residence.

For conducting the social inquiry, the applicant (as the case may be, their family, legal representative, personal assistant, the non-governmental organization of which the person with disabilities is a member, or in their absence, by any person representing them) will submit to the headquarters of the Oradea Social Assistance Directorate - Public Relations and Initial Evaluation Service, an application accompanied by the documents necessary for drafting the social inquiry, after which a field check will be conducted at the patient’s home.

Oradea Social Assistance Directorate grants monthly allowances to persons with severe disabilities, based on certificates of classification in the severe disability grade with a personal assistant.

The person with severe disability benefits from a monthly allowance, which is equal to the net salary of the personal assistant, grade 0, established according to the legal provisions that regulate the salary level of personnel paid from public funds. Payment of the monthly allowance is for a determined or undetermined period, depending on the validity period of the certificate of classification in the degree of disability.

The payment of the monthly allowance is provided by the town halls in whose territorial area the person with severe disability has their domicile or residence.

The payment of the monthly allowance is made during the validity period of the certificate of classification in the degree of disability, issued by the child protection commissions or by the evaluation commissions for adults with disabilities.

Parents or legal representatives of the child with severe disability, adults with severe disability or their legal representatives may opt between a personal assistant and receiving a monthly allowance.

The option is expressed by a written request.

The monthly allowance is granted starting from the month following the submission of the request, based on the decision of the executive director, and payment is made during the validity period of the certificate of classification in the degree of disability.

For granting the monthly allowance, the applicant / legal representative / proxy / parent must submit to the headquarters of the Oradea Social Assistance Directorate - Public Relations and Initial Assessment Service, a request accompanied by supporting documents proving that the person classified in the degree of disability can benefit from the monthly allowance. The specialized service within DAS Oradea checks the submitted documents and will draw up the report and decision regarding the granting of the monthly allowance.

According to Decision no. 70 of January 31, 2024 for approving the implementation mechanism of measures to provide material support for certain categories of disadvantaged persons, for the period 2024-2027, the rules of granting, the method and frequency of support measures, as well as the responsible institutions in 2024, the material support - social vouchers on electronic support for food products and hot meals, has a nominal value of 250 lei and is granted once every two months to the following categories of disadvantaged persons:

· families with at least 2 dependent children whose monthly income per family member is less than or equal to 675 lei;

· single-parent families whose monthly income per family member is less than or equal to 675 lei;

Families with children who do not receive aid for families with children (VMI branch) may apply for the material support provided for in this decision, if they meet the conditions, by submitting, by the family member who has full legal capacity and who applies, on behalf of the family, for the support measure, an application and a declaration on their own responsibility.

Granting emergency aid from the local budget of Oradea Municipality in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 196/2016 regarding the minimum inclusion income with subsequent amendments and completions and Local Council Decision no. 1240/21.12.2023, regarding the approval of the methodology for granting emergency aid, to individuals/families in situations of difficulty and for the prevention or reduction of the risk of poverty and social exclusion, who have their domicile in Oradea Municipality.

The Mayormay order the granting of emergency aid, in cash or in kind, to families or individuals who are in situations of need arising as a result of natural disasters, fires, accidents, epidemics, epizootics, as well as in other special situations that may lead to the emergence or increase of the risk of social exclusion, established by local council decision.

Beneficiaries

Emergency aid is granted once a year upon the written request of the single person, the family representative, or the entitled person, according to the Request-declaration on own responsibility for requesting emergency aid (Annex no. 12 of H.G. no. 1154/2022 for the approval of the Methodological Norms for the application of the provisions of Law no. 196/2016 with subsequent amendments and completions).

Granting the right

Following the written request of a family member or the single person registered at DAS Oradea, two counselors from the Social Service department verify in the field the declared socio-economic and housing situation of the applicant and prepare the Field Verification Sheet.

The data mentioned in the request and the declaration on own responsibility as well as in the supporting documents regarding the family composition and its income are entered into the computer application.

The case is presented by the secretary of the Commission for the analysis and proposal for granting emergency aid, and the commission members decide the granting/non-granting of the aid and its amount. Subsequently, the documentation for the payment of the aid is prepared by the Economic - Financial and Administrative Service.

Based on the Disposition of the Mayor of Oradea Municipality, the Payroll is prepared, and the specialized department within DAS Oradea will make the payment of the emergency aid. The applicant for emergency aid will collect this benefit on the basis of the identity document presented in original.

This procedure regulates the manner of collaboration between the Directorate of Social Assistance and licensed social services for elderly persons operating within the municipality of Oradea, and by exception, with social services from other administrative-territorial units hosting beneficiaries residing in the municipality of Oradea.

Through case management, the social worker within the public social assistance service (SPAS) ensures the coordination of interventions from different domains for the integrated realization of the assessment of needs and resources, planning and intervention, monitoring, and evaluating the impact of community services provided to the elderly, in order to implement the person-centered principle.

Case management is ensured in collaboration by the social worker from the Directorate of Social Assistance and the designated social worker/other specialist from the social service provider/social service.

Beneficiaries - eligibility criteria

According to the legislation in force, elderly persons are considered those who have reached the retirement age established by law.

According to Law no. 17/2000, republished with subsequent modifications and completions, the provisions of this procedure benefit: the elderly person, as defined in art. 1 para (4), meaning the person who has reached the standard retirement age established by law and who finds themselves in one of the following situations:

a) has no family or is not supported by a person or persons legally obliged to do so, according to the legal provisions in force;

b) has no housing and no possibility of ensuring living conditions with their own resources;

c) does not earn their own income or such income is not sufficient to ensure the necessary care;

d) cannot look after themselves or require specialized care;

e) are unable to provide for their socio-medical needs due to illness or physical or mental state.

The Directorate of Social Assistance identifies a case by at least one of the following forms:

a) the elderly person's phone;

b) the request of the elderly person/legal representatives submitted to SPAS/FSS for social services or for minimum inclusion income;

c) information received from an FSS regarding:

- the conclusion of a social services contract for the provision of social services to the elderly person;

- suspension of the provision of services for a determined period;

- cessation of the provision of services.

d) referral from the community medical assistant, from another public service or from a private organization;

e) self-reporting;

f) notification from informal caregivers.

Appointment procedure for the case manager/case officer:

The appointment order for the (MC) is issued with respect for the maximum number of cases per person, namely 50 elderly persons, residing in the administrative-territorial range of Oradea municipality, who have directly addressed (by written request) the Directorate of Social Assistance Oradea for the provision of social services. When appointing MC, SPAS takes into account at least: the complexity of the particular case, the need to ensure continuity in the relationship between beneficiary and SPAS/social service provider, the professional experience and knowledge of the MC regarding the typology of social services for the elderly, the MC's coordination, communication and collaboration skills, as well as the chronology of request registrations.

FSS issues the appointment order for the case officer. Decisions are communicated, as applicable, between SPAS and FSS at the local level.

MC/RC, in all activities carried out as part of the stages of case management, respects the code of professional ethics, is based on the principle of respect for inalienable dignity, individual autonomy, including freedom to make their own choices, and independence of elderly persons.

Request for the provision of social services

If the elderly person requests the support of the Directorate of Social Assistance to access social services, then SPAS carries out the entire procedure of evaluation, planning, issuing decisions, etc. If the person does not approach SPAS before accessing the social service or does not require the issuance of a decision to grant social services as a social assistance measure, then SPAS receives and records the information regarding the existence of the beneficiary in the social service, notes the beneficiary in the Register of vulnerable elderly persons, and monitors the situation according to legal provisions. In this case, the provisions concerning initial information, initial evaluation, intervention/services plan, appointment of case manager from SPAS do not apply anymore.

The request for the provision of social services can also be addressed directly to a private social service provider, in which case, if a service contract is concluded with the applicant, the provider is obliged to inform, in writing, the administrative-territorial authority in whose territory the beneficiary of the respective social service has their domicile or residence and to register the information in the National Register of beneficiaries of social services.

The social investigation is a method of inquiry based on various techniques for collecting and processing information, for the purpose of analyzing the social and economic situation of individuals, families, groups, or communities.

The social investigation is carried out by the specialized social service within the town hall in whose territorial jurisdiction the person with disabilities has their domicile or residence.

To carry out the social investigation, the applicant (as the case may be, their family, legal representative, personal assistant, the non-governmental organization of which the applicant is a member, or, in the absence of these, any person representing them) will submit to the headquarters of the Oradea Social Assistance Directorate - Public Relations and Initial Assessment Service, an application accompanied by the necessary documents for preparing the social investigation, after which a field verification will be conducted at the patient's home.

Purpose of the operational procedure:

• Establishes the method of admitting beneficiaries to the Night Shelter Oradea as well as the persons involved in carrying out this activity;
  
• Provides assurance regarding the existence of adequate documentation for the conduct of the activity;
  
• Ensures continuity of activity, including in conditions of staff fluctuation.
  

Scope of application of the operational procedure:

The activity of admitting beneficiaries to the Night Shelter is the process by which a person requesting social services becomes a beneficiary thereof. The admission activity is carried out under the conditions stipulated by law and only if the Night Shelter can provide the minimum services necessary to meet the beneficiaries’ needs. The beneficiaries and/or their legal representatives are aware of and accept the admission conditions.

Government Emergency Ordinance 63/2022 aims to establish temporary measures, consisting of granting, until 31.12.2023, material support for certain categories of vulnerable persons, as provided for in this ordinance.

The material support for categories of vulnerable persons aims to compensate a part of food expenses to ensure daily living, by granting social vouchers on electronic support, for purchasing food products or for providing hot meals, in order to protect against the risk of material deprivation and the risk of extreme poverty.

Categories of beneficiaries

1. Pensioners of the public pension system registered with the pension houses

2. Persons – children and adults – classified as having severe, accentuated, or medium disabilities whose incomes are less than or equal to 1500 lei.

3. Families with at least two dependent children whose monthly net income per family member is less than or equal to 600 lei.

4. Single-parent families whose monthly net income per family member is less than or equal to 600 lei.

5. Families who have established the right to social aid, under the conditions of law 416/2001.

6. Homeless persons as regulated by the legal provisions in force.

Granting the electronic social voucher
The electronic social voucher for food/hot meal for homeless persons is granted based on an application-declaration on their own responsibility, accompanied by a copy of the identity document and supporting documents regarding income obtained from occasional work in the month preceding the application.

Based on the applications and self-declarations submitted, the city hall draws up the centralized list of persons who meet the conditions for granting support.

The centralized list is sent in electronic format by the 5th of the month to the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection, which centralizes the situations at the county level within a maximum of two days and sends them to the National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection at the national level.

The allowance for raising children up to 2 years old, or 3 years in the case of a child with a disability, is a form of support to which are entitled those persons who, in the last 24 months prior to the child's birth, have earned income for 12 months from salaries, income from independent activities, income from agricultural activities subject to income tax according to the provisions of Law no. 571/2003 regarding the Fiscal Code, with subsequent amendments and additions—income subject to taxation—or have been in one or more of the situations called assimilated periods. Either of the natural parents of the child, as well as the person who has adopted a child, may benefit from this right, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Persons who, during the period in which they are entitled to benefit from child-raising leave, obtain taxable income are entitled to an insertion incentive.

The mission of the service "Day Center for children from marginalized communities in Oradea Municipality" is to improve the standard of living in the disadvantaged Gutenberg area of Oradea and to reduce the tendencies of social and economic decline, to prevent the abandonment and institutionalization of children by providing, during the day, care, education, recreation, socialization, counseling, development of independent life skills, school and professional guidance activities, as well as support and counseling activities for parents or legal representatives.

All children up to the age of 18, as well as young people who have turned 18 and are attending high school or vocational courses organized according to the law, are eligible for the state allowance for children until the completion of their studies.

In the event that you also apply for the child-rearing allowance, it is not necessary to apply separately for the state allowance, as this benefit (state allowance) is requested at the same time as the child-rearing allowance.