09.11.2022

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WILL RISE BY 22% IN 2023

"Financial support for 670,000 people with disabilities will increase by 22% in 2023. Its increase is dictated by the caretaker government's decision to raise the value of the official poverty line in the country, which will rise from BGN 413 to BGN 504". This was said by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Policy Lazar Lazarov, who presented the measures taken by the office to support people from vulnerable groups during a parliamentary blitz control.

The specific amount of financial support for different groups of people with disabilities is determined as a percentage of the poverty line for the respective year. For example, for people with more than 90% degree of disability with certain foreign assistance, who receive a social disability pension, it will reach BGN 287.28.

Minister Lazarov emphasized that the caretaker government has also taken a measure to increase the number of people who use targeted subsidies for heating. It is expected that around 310,000 people and families will receive assistance of BGN 623.55, which is BGN 100 more than in the previous winter season. Another 50,000 will additionally receive a one-time aid of BGN 400.

"In order to provide wood at preferential prices for those in need of the state forestry farms, we signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agency for Social Assistance," recalled Deputy Prime Minister Lazar Lazarov.

He added that the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has launched the Program for Food and Basic Material Support (2021-2027), thereby providing an opportunity for municipalities to continue providing the "Hot Lunch" service to more than 70,000 people non-stop during the winter months.

Minister Lazarov emphasized that with the submitted draft law to extend the state budget from 2022, the caretaker government guarantees that no reduction of pensions and no social payment will be allowed.