News from the Ombudsman’s Office: February 2025

News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in February 2025 (information in links mostly available in Latvian).

The right of the State Defence Service soldiers to a survivor’s pension should not be restricted

The right to receive a survivor’s pension for soldiers of the State Defence Service should not be restricted. The current legal framework allows this; therefore, the Ombudsman expects the Ministry of Welfare and the Ministry of Defence to take action to resolve the issue by 18 April.

Patients with oxygen therapy at home will receive help in case of power disturbance

On 6 February, the Ombudsman received alarmed concerns about potential threat to the health and life of patients whose depend on the supply of oxygen via portable oxygen concentrator connected to an electrical outlet and may face a power supply disruption when Latvia will join the European electricity grid. Upon receiving such a signal, the Ombudsman immediately turned to the Minister of Health, who on 7 February gave assurances that the health sector was ready to provide immediate assistance if needed, and that such patients and their relatives would be informed of the necessary action in case of power failure.

Studētgods social scholarship does not constitute income within the meaning of the law

Income from the social scholarship “Student Honour” will not be taken into account when assessing the material situation for receiving social assistance and determining the status of a poor or low-income household. The Ombudsman has turned to the Ministry of Welfare and welcomes their action in preparing amendments to the law and calling on the social services of local governments not to consider the social scholarship as household income.

Daytime naps in kindergartens should not be mandatory for those children who do not need it

Daytime nap in kindergarten is mandatory only if the child needs it. If the child does not need daytime sleep, it should not be imposed. The need for daytime sleep depends on the total number of hours of sleep necessary for the full-fledged development of the child, depending on the age. The Ombudsman concluded that there are no deficiencies in the regulatory framework – it provides for an obligation to ensure daytime rest for all children, not mandatory sleep.