Do you qualify for support? Find out via 'inflation umbrella' platform

The Czech government has launched a website that brings together information about financial aid available to families with children, seniors, and other groups to help them cope with the recently rising prices. The government plans to spend some CZK 100 billion on these measures this year.

The new website, called Deštník proti drahotě (Umbrella Against Inflation), is designed to make people aware of the government's inflation measures and to tell applicants how to apply for benefits.

Parents with children can find out how to apply for a one-time payment of CZK 5,000 or get more information about the increased monthly parental benefit. Seniors can find out about increases in pensions and housing allowances. There is also a section for the self-employed and businesses.

The highest sum out of those on the new website is the CZK 47 billion spent on the raising of pensions in January and June.

The increase in the tax deduction per taxpayer will cost the state CZK 12 billion, and the one-off subsidy to families with children CZK 10 billion.

Only one form of aid for businesses has been presented for the time being. It is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses in selected branches, whose spending on energy exceeds 10 percent of their operational costs. They can apply for a loan of up to CZK 10 million.

The National Development Bank started accepting applications on March 31 but received no applications in the first three weeks. The Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses previously said that firms do not want to borrow money but need to save money.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that since his government took power in December it has had to tackle rising inflation and soaring prices that are in part due to "the money-wasting policy and behavior of the previous cabinet," adding that the situation has worsened and continues worsening because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"We have taken the measures systematically, targeted in a way to help those who cannot cope with the situation by themselves. We help seniors and those faced with financial problems. We are also trying to help the middle class, families with children, and single parents," Fiala said.

According to the latest data from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), the year-on-year increase in consumer prices is the highest now since December 1993. Inflation in April sped up to 14.2 percent from March's 12.7 percent.

For example, electric power prices rose in April by 30 percent year-on-year, gas by 44.2 percent, flour by 52, meat by 11, and butter by 32 percent.