The guaranteed minimum income (GMI) benefit and the status of a low-income household will be provided for three months to families with at least one person of working age. A similar three-month period is proposed for individuals who have reached retirement age or have a disability, if their old-age pension, disability pension, or state social security benefit has been paid for less than three months. This rule will also apply to recipients of old-age pensions from other countries. The ministry explains that initially, the incomes of such individuals may be unstable. Currently, households without working-age individuals receive status and benefits for six months, even if the pension payment has just started, which can lead to social assistance duplicating pension payments. For six months, the GMI status and benefit are proposed to be granted to households where only recipients of state old-age pensions, disability pensions, or state social security benefits reside, provided that these payments have been received for more than three months. This will also apply to families where children live with such individuals. In certain cases, the status and benefit may be granted for only one month if the family's income does not exceed the established thresholds, but it does not meet other conditions for receiving social assistance. During this month, the household will need to rectify the identified discrepancies in cooperation with the social service. The financial situation is proposed to be assessed based on income for the last three full calendar months, and the validity period of the income declaration will correspond to the period of the granted status and basic social benefits. Additionally, it is planned to expand the list of payments that will not be considered as family income. This will include the social scholarship "Studētgods," unemployment benefits for participation in the State Employment Agency's "Work Trial" program, as well as insurance payments. Assistance provided by other individuals for housing payments will also not be considered income if the family does not receive housing benefits or if the benefits do not fully cover the expenses. When calculating income, payments on the principal and interest of a single housing loan, as well as child support, will also be taken into account as deductions. Changes will also affect the assessment of property. It is proposed to abandon checks on whether a garden house is used exclusively in the summer, as it is difficult to establish this in practice, and such checks create additional administrative burdens for social services. For a person receiving group home (or apartment) services, owning one residential property where they lived previously and can live after the service ends will not be an obstacle to receiving social assistance. Furthermore, when assessing property, objects that are legally owned by a person will be taken into account, even if the ownership rights are not yet registered in the Land Register. Housing benefits are planned to be assigned for the entire duration of the income declaration, but will only be paid for those months when the family genuinely cannot cover housing expenses, such as during the heating season. It is also proposed to establish that the amount of the benefit cannot exceed the actual housing expenses included in the calculation. If expenses increase after the decision is made, the social service can recalculate the benefit for the previous three months upon request and after providing supporting documents. A recalculation can also be requested if the housing benefit was initially not granted, but housing expenses later increased. If the family's financial situation has not changed, a re-evaluation of their income will not be required. Basic social benefits are proposed to be paid once a month. An exception will be made for the individual heating benefit — it can be calculated once a year and paid in one or several parts, including in advance. After using the advance, documents confirming the expenses will need to be submitted. It is anticipated that the housing benefit will primarily be transferred to the management company, utility provider, or fuel supplier. If this is not possible, the money will be transferred to the applicant or paid in cash. The list of expenses considered when calculating housing benefits is planned to include the payment for heat meters, delivery of bills, as well as expenses for energy efficiency improvement measures for individual residential houses. However, debts and related payments will not be taken into account. Social assistance and the corresponding status will not be granted if incomplete or false information is provided in the application, family members do not fulfill their obligations to cooperate with the social service, or obstruct the inspection of the residence. Support may also be denied to a person who has not registered with the State Employment Agency and does not fulfill their obligations as an unemployed person. The Ministry of Welfare emphasizes that cooperation requirements should be determined individually, taking into account the person's capabilities and the principle of proportionality, especially if they are raising a child, have reached retirement age, or have a disability. The draft regulations have been submitted for public discussion until August 6. It will then be reviewed by the government. It is expected that the new rules will come into force on July 1, 2027. According to the ministry's assessment, the proposed changes will not affect the amount of social assistance and will not require additional expenditures from the state or municipal budgets.