Social assistance in the Republic of Moldova
Social assistance is a right guaranteed by the state and is provided according to the law. The General Inspectorate for Migration is the institution you can contact for information and guidance in this respect.
Social assistance in the Republic of Moldova
Which foreign nationals are eligible for social assistance?
- Foreign nationals holding a temporary residence permit
- Foreign nationals holding a permanent residence permit
- Foreign nationals who have been recognised as stateless in the Republic of Moldova
- Beneficiaries of international protection or political asylum
How to obtain social assistance
- primary, specialised and highly specialised social services
- social benefits (money)
Specialised services, including placement services
Social services for disadvantaged families or individuals:
- The social help programme
- Social help, granted based on family income
- Social service of support for families with children
- Social welfare canteens
- Financial cash support service for disadvantaged families or individuals
Social services for children:
- Social assistance and protection for children who have arrived in the Republic of Moldova from other countries
- Establishment of custody of the child
- Legal representation services or establishing the sole legal representation
- Free helpline for children (116111)
- The “professional foster care” social service
- “Family-type children’s home” social service
- “Community home for children at risk” social service
- “Placement centre for children separated from their parents” social service
- Additional support services for families with children
Social services for people with disabilities:
- “Personal assistance” social service
- “Protected housing” social service
- “Community home” social service
- “Mobile Team” social service
- “Respite” social service
- “Foster care for adults” social service
- “Day Centre for People with Disabilities” social service
- Sign language interpreting service
- Care home for older people and people with disabilities in Chisinau
- Free helpline for people with disabilities (080010808)
Social services for victims of domestic violence and victims/alleged victims of human trafficking:
- The Center for Assistance and Protection of Victims and Potential Victims of Human Trafficking (women and children) in Chisinau
- Assistance and Protection Service for Victims of Human Trafficking (men) in Chisinau
- The “Sotis” Family Crisis Centre in Balti
- “ProFamilia” Maternity Centre in Causeni
- “ProFemina” Maternity Centre in Hincesti
- Maternal Centre in Cahul
- Maternal Centre in Anenii Noi
- “Ariadna” Support and Counselling Centre for Victims of Domestic Violence in Drochia
- Regional Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Domestic Violence in the village of Chirsova, Comrat
- The Regional Integrated Service for Victims of Sexual Violence in Ungheni
Social assistance provided to children arriving in the Republic of Moldova from other countries
The rights and legitimate interests of the child are safeguarded by the parents or persons acting in their stead.
Refugee children identified at the border or within the territory of the Republic of Moldova as being unaccompanied or accompanied by unauthorised persons are represented by the competent local guardianship authority.
Children may benefit from the following forms of protection:
Custody is granted by the local guardianship authority at the request of parents or legal representatives who are temporarily unable to care for their child.
Legal representation is provided by designated staff from the guardianship authority, appointed to represent the child’s rights and interests in the absence of parents or legal representatives.
Eligibility for social services
- children and young people whose health, development and physical, mental or moral integrity are affected in the environment in which they live
- families who fail to fulfil their obligations regarding the care, maintenance and upbringing of their children
- families with no or low income
- individuals or families affected by domestic violence
- people without families who require care and supervision or who are unable to meet their social and medical needs
- families with three or more children
- single-parent families
- elderly people
- people with disabilities
- other individuals and families in need
For more information on social care, and to find out who your local social worker is, contact your closed local public administration or see the contact details below.