25.03.2022
THREE TYPES OF SOCIAL BENEFITS ARE OPEN TO UKRAINIANS
Refugees from Ukraine who have already been issued a registration card for temporary protection can apply for assistance from the social services of Bulgaria. For this purpose, they must submit an application to the Social Assistance Directorate at the current address and present their registration card for temporary protection, as well as an identity document from the country of origin, the Social Assistance Agency announced.
The benefits will be granted after a social survey, which establishes all the circumstances of social, family, household and health nature, the agency explained.
One option for Ukrainians in our social assistance system is a one-time assistance for incidental health, education, utilities and other vital needs, which is BGN 375. According to instructions published to Ukrainians on the website of the ASA, they are entitled to a monthly social assistance. However, this type of support is conditional - 4 hours of community service must be worked for a period of 14 days each month.
Along with the one-time and monthly social assistance, there is a third type of assistance, which is little known - to cover the cost of issuing an ID card. Bulgarian citizens fleeing the war, for example, could benefit from it.
The money will be disbursed both in cash and by bank, the ASA clarifies. That is, the lack of a bank account should not be an obstacle. However, it remains to be seen how exactly the right to assistance will be assessed due to the specific circumstances of many of the Ukrainians who have found shelter in our country. Usually in our country an examination of the property status of the candidate is made, whether he has side income, whether he has recently had a sale of significant property, etc.
Social benefits will be the first direct cash assistance to Ukrainians from the budget. Compared to other European countries on the waterfront, Bulgaria has chosen to pay not to the refugees themselves, but to the hotels that accommodate them. Accommodation will receive BGN 40 per day per accommodated refugee. This amount includes bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and according to some not very clear statements of the headquarters - and transport.
At the moment, more than 113,000 people from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and about 60,000 remain, with an average of one third of them children, Deputy Prime Minister Kalina Konstantinova told BTA yesterday. Over 70% of the remaining are accommodated in hotel, state and municipal bases. The remaining 30% choose to stay with relatives, friends or in private homes. Nearly 6,000 people have already received temporary protection.
VOUCHERS AND AID FOR UKRAINIANS SHELTERED BY PRIVATE PERSONS
The introduction of a system for providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees sheltered by private individuals who provide their homes free of charge is currently being discussed. This was said from the parliamentary rostrum by Georgi Gokov, Minister of Labor and Social Policy.
The Minister also said that the preliminary estimates of the additional funds from the REACT EU instrument show that up to about 50 thousand people can be provided vouchers worth BGN 100 to provide food and basic necessities. This voucher will be used to purchase basic necessities, baby food, children's clothing, school supplies, hygiene materials and other essential products. It is envisaged that the vouchers will be provided by the social assistance directorates, and the option of people receiving them at the initial reception points is being discussed. The voucher will be given once to the persons who have received temporary protection. An additional voucher can be obtained after assessing the needs and assessing specific circumstances such as age, health or other circumstances that prevent the basic necessities of life. The assessment will be performed by social workers from the territorial divisions of the Social Assistance Agency. Vouchers can be used in stores in the country.
What are the social rights of refugees with temporary protection status - information in Bulgarian and Ukrainian.
CONSULTATIONS
On 0800 88 001 the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy provides free consultations in Bulgarian, Russian and English to Ukrainian citizens on access to the labor market in Bulgaria and opportunities for social support for children and families every working day from 9.00 to 17.30.
