27.10.2022
400 BGN ARE GIVEN EACH FOR HEATING
We are about to approve an additional BGN 20 million from the budget of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for the payment of a one-time financial aid for heating in the amount of BGN 400. This was stated by acting Prime Minister Galab Donev before the start of yesterday's government meeting.
Later, Social Affairs Minister Lazar Lazarov explained that the Council of Ministers had decided to support the most vulnerable and socially weak members of society and gave details of who will receive the new heating aid. We expect 50,000 people to be assisted with additional support for heating in the amount of BGN 400, announced the Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Social Policies at a briefing in the Council of Ministers.
Lazarov added that the right to such support will be available to people who submitted documents within the deadline, but were refused heating aid for the upcoming winter season due to exceeding the determined differentiated income by up to BGN 40 or due to failure to meet the requirement for 6-monthly mandatory registration as unemployed in the "Labor Office" directorates. They do not need to be resubmitted.
The right to support will also be available to people who meet the criteria, but have not submitted documents within the deadline set for this - October 31, 2022. They will be able to submit their documents within 14 days of the promulgation of the decree in the State Gazette.
He reported that the government also provides targeted heating allowances, and this year changes were made to the eligibility conditions for those entitled to benefit from targeted heating allowances. The changes in the amounts of pensions, which were obtained as a result of their increase in July and October, were reflected, so that people do not fall out of targeted social assistance, explained Lazarov.
In parallel, an unprecedented step has been taken, namely an increase in the amount of heating aid by more than 20 percent, thus fully reflecting changes in inflation. At the moment, this assistance is in the amount of BGN 623.55 and is granted once, so that people can make a choice in heating alternatives, noted Minister Lazarov. He pointed out that there continues to be a regulated market for the price of electricity, so that people have the opportunity to make the best choice that satisfies them in relation to their heating.
An additional element in this direction is the agreement concluded between the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the Agency for Social Assistance and the Ministry of Agriculture, which, in the person of the state forestry farms, provide firewood to the persons entitled to assistance for heating, at prices which are extremely low, so that public funds cannot be used to support speculation or other types of unregulated practices.
The deadline for providing these aids and applying for them is until October 31. At the moment, more than 360 thousand applications have been submitted, I expect them to increase by the end of the month, Lazarov announced and added that about 285 thousand are those for whom aid has been granted. The persons have already received them and the others who are in the process of processing will also be included in the disbursement of benefits next month, he said.
