27.01.2023
WHO IS ENTITLED TO A FREE E-VIGNET?
During the first ten days of January of this year, nearly 20,000 free e-vignettes were provided to people with disabilities.
The total number of free vignettes that were given through the Agency for Social Assistance to people with reduced working capacity in 2022 is 222,341. They are for over BGN 21.5 million and are at the expense of the budget of the Road Infrastructure Agency ".
More than 80,000 of the free e-vignettes issued in 2022 expire in January. The National Toll Administration reminds that the validity of a free e-vignette can be checked on the website of Road Infrastructure Agency and BGTOL. The direct link for checking is https://check.bgtoll.bg.
Persons with 50 percent and more than 50 percent reduced working capacity are entitled to a free e-vignette, as well as families raising children with permanent disabilities up to the age of 18 or until they have completed secondary education, but no older than 20- years old. According to the Roads Act, the right is for one car with a power of up to 160 hp. and engine volume up to 2000 cc.
It is recommended that applications for the renewal of free vignettes be submitted when their expiry date approaches. They are submitted to the "Social Assistance" Directorate at the current address - in person, by letter or electronically with an electronic signature. The social services process the documents within 7 days. The Social Assistance Agency sends the processed requests daily to the Road Infrastructure Agency, which issues the e-vignette within the next working day.
Upon transfer of ownership, the free e-vignette does not follow the vehicle. In these cases, the right holder must notify the Road Infrastructure Agency within three working days in order to receive a new free vignette from the Social Assistance Agency. Transfer of ownership refers to the purchase and sale of a vehicle or the scrapping of a car and transfer to a licensed dismantling company with a contract. When the vehicle is scrapped and left for storage on private property, the person is not entitled to be issued a new free electronic vignette until the original validity expires.
In case of difficulties and the need for consultation, those who wish to be issued a free e-vignette through the Social Assistance Agency can contact the customer service center of the National Toll Office at 0700 10 876 or in writing at e-mail: info@bgtoll.bg.
27.01.2023
THE HEALTH CONTRIBUTION FOR THE UNEMPLOYED WILL NOT BE RAISED
People who pay their own compulsory health insurance contributions (e.g. long-term unemployed, who do not receive unemployment benefit and are not insured by the state, etc.) and are not registered as self-insured within the meaning of the Social Security Code will continue to pay BGN 28.40.
The minimum insurance income remains unchanged, which is currently BGN 710. According to the Health Insurance Act, the uninsured on other grounds are insured on an income not less than half of the minimum monthly income for self-insured persons. Thus, the health insurance contribution for them is calculated at the rate of 8% on no less than BGN 355 and no more than BGN 3,400 per month.
The deadline for making these contributions is until the 25th of the month following the month to which they refer, the NRA reminds. The health insurance contribution for the month of January 2023 must be paid no later than February 25, 2023. All those who are required to pay their own health insurance contributions must submit a Form 7 declaration to the National Revenue Agency, the revenue agency also reminds.
It is submitted electronically with a personal identification code PIC of the NRA or Qualified electronic signature, through the Portal for electronic services or at the office of the revenue agency at the person's permanent address, by the 25th of the month following the month for which the obligation to pay paying the health insurance contributions on this basis. The penalty for not submitting this declaration is from BGN 500 to BGN 1,000.
The health insurance rights of citizens, who are insured at their own expense, are interrupted if more than three due monthly installments have not been paid in a period of 36 months.
The period is counted until the beginning of the month preceding the month of the provided medical assistance. Citizens' interrupted health insurance rights are restored on the condition that they pay all due health insurance contributions for the last 60 months. Entitlements are reinstated from the date of payment of all due health insurance contributions for that period.
Citizens can check their health insurance status, as well as check periods without health insurance data, through the NRA's electronic service, which is freely accessible on the NRA's Portal.
Clients of the administration can also inquire about the health status by phone: 0700 18 700 (at a price according to the tariff of the relevant operator). The service is automatic and requires only the entry of the PIN via the phone's keyboard. In addition, the system provides data for all months and years for which the mandatory health insurance contributions have not been paid. The telephone health status inquiry is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
26.01.2023
MONEY FOR OWN BUSINESS IS GIVEN TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
People with disabilities can receive up to BGN 20,000 for starting or developing an independent business. The funds can be used for the establishment of a new enterprise, investment costs, construction and repair works, workplace equipment, training of the staff and the owner of the enterprise, as well as to cover minimum start-up capital.
It is necessary that the candidates have 50 and more than 50% reduced working capacity and not participate as owners or partners in another company. The project proposals are funded by the Agency for People with Disabilities under the National Program for Employment of People with Disabilities and must be sent by 06.03.2023.
The Agency will finance with up to BGN 50,000 projects with a social focus, which aim to stimulate the employment of people with permanent disabilities in a specialized work environment. Enterprises and cooperatives registered in the Register of Specialized Enterprises and Cooperatives of People with Disabilities at the Agency for People with Disabilities can apply for the funds. Funding is granted to ensure adequate working conditions and workplace adaptation for people with permanent disabilities assigned to them. The deadline for submitting documents is 13.03.2023.
The Agency for People with Disabilities will also allocate funds for business-oriented projects, which aim to increase the competitiveness of specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with permanent disabilities through training and the purchase of new equipment. For the implementation of these activities, employers can receive up to BGN 90,000. Documents must be submitted by March 28, 2023.
The agency will finance with up to BGN 740,000 proposals for the creation of Centers for protected employment. Participants in the competition can be specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with disabilities, labor and treatment centers or organizations of people with disabilities, registered under the current legislation. The establishment of these centers aims to build work skills and habits of a minimum of 15 persons with multiple permanent disabilities, with mental disorders and/or intellectual disabilities, together with the provision of a minimum package of personal support services. Documents must be submitted by 29.03.2023.
State, municipal, economic and non-governmental organizations, registered under Bulgarian legislation, owning or managing the sites can apply for the construction of an accessible architectural environment of cultural, historical and sports sites. Through the program, ramps, paths for people with visual impairments, signals for people with visual and hearing impairments, etc. can be built or reconstructed. It is also possible to adapt the internal environment of various objects for independent visit and residence of persons with disabilities. Project proposals are submitted until 21.03.2023.
You can see more details about the projects and how to apply on the website of the Agency for People with Disabilities - https://ahu.mlsp.government.bg/.
26.01.2023
WHAT CHANGES TO SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ARE IN FORCE FROM THIS YEAR?
What are the main changes in the field of social security and the policy to support families with children, which are already in force from January 1, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy recalls.
Without income test, the following are provided:
One-time aid of BGN 300 for students enrolled in the first, second, third, fourth and eighth grades in the academic year 2023/2024. The aid is for all students, regardless of whether they study in a state, municipal or private school.
On December 15, 2022, the parliament decided that the one-time aid should be given to all students in the primary level of education, as well as in the eighth grade. This happened with the adoption of changes to the Law on Family Benefits for Children. Until last year, the one-time aid was given only to children enrolled in the first and eighth grades. For the academic year 2022/2023, it was also BGN 300.
The amount of the one-time aid is determined annually in the Law on the State Budget for the relevant year, but it is not less than the previous year. The allowance is paid in two installments, with 50 percent of its amount paid after the grant order comes into force, and the remainder paid at the beginning of the second school term if the child continues to attend school.
Nearly 100,000 families of children enrolled in the first and eighth grades for the academic year 2022/2023 were entitled to the planned one-time aid of BGN 300 last year.
Last year, one-time aid was granted to 49,879 families for 50,933 first-graders and to 48,595 families for 49,464 eighth-graders.
Financial support helps parents to purchase some of the basic supplies and clothing needed for students without difficulty. It is obtained in the situation that the child lives permanently in the country and is not placed for upbringing outside the family. It is also provided to students placed in the families of relatives and relatives and in foster families, as well as to a guardian/guardian.
Without an income test, monthly allowances of BGN 200 for raising a child up to one year and monthly allowances for children up to the completion of secondary education, but no more than 20 years of age, when the children are raised by their single adoptive parents, are also provided without an income test.
From this year, grandparents can also take leave after the grandchild turns six months old
Mothers can transfer the use of pregnancy and maternity leave after the 6th month from the birth of the child not only to the father, but also to the grandparents, provided that they are employed or employed.
Adoptive mothers who use leave when adopting a child up to 5 years of age have the same right.
The grandmother or grandfather to whom the leave has been transferred is entitled to compensation from the National Social Insurance Institution until the child turns 1 year old. Its amount is 90% of their average insurance income for the last 24 months.
On December 22, the parliament decided that maternity leave can also be used by grandparents after the child reaches six months of age. This happened after the adoption of the second reading of the provisions of the extended budget law amending the Labor Code.
26.01.2023
A LEGAL AID CENTER WAS OPENED IN SILISTRA
"No person can be deprived of justice because he has no money, because he is sick, because he is under interdiction. But so that what is said does not remain only on paper, there must be places where those in need can meet those who can provide them with legal assistance." This was stated by the Minister of Justice Krum Zarkov at the opening of a new Regional Counseling Center in Silistra at the bar association in the city.
The premises are provided by the city municipality, as the possibility of local authorities providing rooms for regional counseling centers was regulated by the recent changes to the Legal Aid Act proposed by the Ministry of Justice.
The center is the 16th in a row in the country, the others are at the bar councils - Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Sliven, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Pernik, Pazardzhik, Gabrovo, Pleven, Lovech, Blagoevgrad, Asenovgrad.
The Minister recalled that with the latest changes to the Law on Legal Aid, the circle of people who can use free legal aid financed by the state was expanded.
A total of 12 lawyers registered in the National Register of Legal Aid will provide primary legal aid to the citizens of the Silistren region. They will carry out legal consultations, assistance in filling out documents required by the court, the prosecutor's office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the administration. They will be able to be addressed by citizens from vulnerable social groups - people below the poverty line, children at risk, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, people seeking international protection, placed under guardianship and those whose guardianship is requested, people with disability whose monthly income is not enough to afford a lawyer.
The regional center was opened by the chairman of the Bar Association in Silistra, Dimcho Kyosev, who thanked the chairman of the National Legal Aid Bureau, Natalia Ilieva, for the good cooperation.
25.01.2023
INCREASE IN SALARY AFTER MATERNITY
In practice, a common question asked by workers returning to work after maternity leave is whether they are entitled to a salary increase when other employees in the company have received salary updates one or more times.
Workers often face conflicting answers as to whether they are entitled to an automatic increase in pay or whether the update of the amount should be regulated by other mechanisms.
What is the situation with salary increases after maternity leave and what are the rights of female and male employees in these cases?
Before the specific answer to the question, several clarifications of the provisions in the laws should be made. According to the legislation in Bulgaria, the amount of labor remuneration is determined according to the duration of the work or according to the work done. The amount of labor remuneration per unit of production (labor rate) is agreed between the worker or the employee and the employer and cannot be less than what is provided for in the collective labor agreement. The salary is paid at the enterprise where the work is performed, in advance or in full every month twice, unless otherwise agreed.
The remuneration is paid personally to the worker or the employee according to the payroll or against a receipt or at the written request of the worker or the employee - to his relatives. At the written request of the worker or employee, his remuneration is transferred to a deposit in the bank specified by him.
In the case of conscientious performance of labor duties, the worker or employee is guaranteed the payment of labor remuneration in the amount of 60 percent of his gross labor remuneration, but not less than the minimum wage for the country. The difference up to the full amount of the remuneration remains due and is payable additionally together with the statutory interest.
Knowing the legal regulations, we can also answer specifically the question regarding the increase in remuneration after maternity leave.
If the contract worker is paid the minimum wage, the wage should be increased if the national minimum wage itself was raised during the time the worker was on maternity leave.
If, after raising the levels of the minimum wage for the country, the remuneration is not updated in an amount not less than that of the current minimum wage for the country, then the employer is in violation. In these cases, the employee is entitled to an increase in remuneration. The same applies if there is an increase in the amounts for remuneration agreed with a collective labor agreement, if the worker is a member of the trade union organization that is part of the parties to the agreement.
However, if it is not a question of an increase in remuneration based on this principle, then any increase occurs by individual agreement with the employer or through the mechanisms of the collective labor agreement.
Reference:
Art. 245, Art. 247, Art. 270 of the Labor Code
25.01.2023
THE APPLICATION FORM FOR STARTUP WORLD CUP 2023 IS ACTIVE
According to various rankings regarding the startup climate in Bulgaria, our country is at the forefront of the Balkan Peninsula and the trends for 2023 continue to be optimistic. Interest in startups is growing, and so are the opportunities before them.
On January 12, the application form for the Startup World Cup Bulgaria 2023 competition was officially opened for the third time in a row, and any startup company can apply absolutely free of charge. In addition to the opportunity for promotion, the broadcast winner of the national qualifiers will also win the right to represent our country at the world finals in America. There, it will compete with more than 60 award-winning startup companies from around the world and compete for the grand prize of $1 million.
The second edition of the national competition was organized in partnership with the Bulgarian Development Bank, and at the world final our country was represented by the startup companies Daye and Office RnD, which are the awarded startups for 2022 and 2021, respectively. As winners of the national qualifiers, the two companies won their plane tickets to America, kindly provided by an official event partner.
Besides the chance to win the grand prize, the two startups got the opportunity to present themselves and their ideas to the general public. We had the opportunity to present ourselves for 2 minutes in the semi-final and for 1 minute in the final stage. We met many companies with great missions and products and exchanged experiences with their teams. We are happy that since September, Daye has attracted an investment of 11.5 million dollars, shared Kalina Mihaylova, Product Development Manager at Daye.
The final in San Francisco was a great experience. In general, Startup World Cup Bulgaria was very useful to position ourselves even better on the Bulgarian market as one of the most successful startups and to declare ourselves as a very serious employer. noted Miro Miroslavov of OfficeRnD.
Startup World Cup Bulgaria is organized by Internet Media Group, with the support of the European Association of Digital Experts (EURODEA) and Pegasus Tech Ventures, organizer of the Startup World Cup global finals. The official award ceremony will take place on June 9 in Sofia, and applications will remain open until May 20.
24.01.2023
PROJECTS FOR THE DISABLED ARE FINANCED WITH UP TO BGN 100,000
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has started the campaign for recruiting project proposals that will be financed under the National Program for Accessible Housing and Personal Mobility of People with Disabilities in 2023. Documents can be submitted from January 23 to April 24.
Under Component 1 "Accessible living environment", people with disabilities can apply with proposals for the construction and installation of ramps, lifting platforms and elevators. Each approved project will be financed with up to BGN 100,000 from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. In cases where the value of the projects is higher, the applicants will be able to co-finance the implementation of the eligible activities.
Homeowners who are permanently disabled and use wheelchairs, with a permanent or current address in the same building, can apply for the component.
Eligible applicants are also condominium owners' associations in multi-family residential buildings where there are people with permanent disabilities, wheelchair users, with a permanent or current address in the same building.
The approved projects under Component 2 "Personal Mobility" will be financed with up to BGN 8,000. The funds will be allocated for the conversion of a car for a person with permanent disabilities, installation of an assistive device or a device for loading and unloading a wheelchair in a motor vehicle, as well as for the purchase of a car with an already performed modification. Applicants will also be able to receive funds for a driving course.
The right to apply under the second component is for people with permanent disabilities, with a proven deficiency of lower and/or upper limbs and a decision of the medical examination authorities, who have a document that they are physically fit to be drivers.
Detailed information on the conditions and application documents for the two components can be found on the website of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy www.mlsp.government.bg in the heading "Policies", category "People with disabilities", section: "National Program for affordable housing and personal mobility" or at the following link: https://www.mlsp.government.bg/natsionalna-programa-za-dostpna-zhilishchna-sreda-i-lichna-mobilnost-1
24.01.2023
WHAT TO DO IF THE ATM HOLDS YOUR CARD?
What to do if we decide to withdraw money from an ATM, but the machine has kept our card.
Here are some useful tips for consumers, provided by the experts of the Consumer Protection Commission. They are related to how to act in some unforeseen and rather unpleasant situations that can cost us valuable time and financial losses.
The card can be "swallowed" by the ATM for several reasons. After you enter your pin code, you have a specific time in which to collect it from the ATM. If you slow down, he automatically retracts it. Another reason could be that your card has expired. When it is damaged or demagnetized, this can also cause the ATM to take it away, as well as when you enter the wrong pin code three times - then the card is automatically blocked and the ATM takes it away.
When the machine is malfunctioning, it can also "swallow" the card. The first thing to do if this happens is to find out if the ATM that took your card is located at a bank branch or not. If the ATM is located next to a bank branch, go into the bank and ask them to return your card.
You'll probably need to show ID and fill out a form, but you'll get your card right away. If the card is not returned to you immediately, it will be sent to the bank branch to which it was issued. If the ATM is not located next to a bank branch and is owned by a bank other than yours, you must call your bank to block the card.
Also call the bank servicing the ATM to let them know what's happening. If this is the case, you will receive your card with some delay. It will take longer for the bank servicing the ATM to send the card to your bank. If the ATM is not located next to a bank branch and is owned by the bank serving you, call them to explain how to get your card.
If the machine does not give you banknotes, the most important thing is to find out whether the transaction was reported or rejected as unsuccessful and the withdrawal attempt did not affect your account balance. Call the call center of the bank that issued your card as soon as possible. The number is usually written on the back of the card. If you are unable to contact the bank, visit the nearest branch on the first working day and file an objection.
You should know that in case of illegal withdrawal from your account, you have a chance to recover the lost amounts. For this purpose, you should again contact the bank with an objection regarding the problem that has arisen and get its opinion. By law, it is required to respond to the objection within 14 days of the date you submitted it. If the answer from the bank does not satisfy you, you can turn to the Conciliation Commission for Payment Disputes operating under the Consumer Protection Commission for assistance.
The Commission for Consumer Protection reminds us to keep in mind that withdrawing money from external ATMs in resorts poses greater risks of theft. It is possible that skimming devices are placed somewhere to copy the data from your card and steal the pin code. According to experts, these are also one of the most common plastic frauds.
"Be careful and follow all the rules for your financial security, both when transacting amounts from ATM and POS terminal devices, and when the card is lost or stolen," warns the commission.
24.01.2023
MINISTRY OF INNOVATION AND GROWTH: IN FEBRUARY, WE OPEN THE PROCEDURE FOR RES AND LOCAL ENERGY STORAGE FOR BGN 200 MILLION
In February, the application under the "RES and batteries for local energy storage" procedure, worth BGN 200 million, will start. It is the third that the Ministry of Innovation and Growth opens under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. This was made clear by Maria Mladenova, head of the "Project Selection and Negotiation" department at the General Directorate of "European Competitiveness Funds" in the ministry.
The public discussion of the procedure was announced on December 12 and ended a month later - on January 12. The companies' application will last for three months. The measure is for the construction of a photovoltaic system - so-called solar panels, to be installed on the roof of the given enterprise, its facade or on the terrain on which it is located. Batteries for local energy storage will be able to store it for up to several days, and the energy itself will be produced solely and only for own use, without being able to be resold and returned to the country's energy system.
In addition to micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, but also those employing up to 499 persons or up to 1,500 persons will be able to apply under the procedure. "We expect that the interest in the "RES and batteries for local energy storage" procedure will be even greater than that in the two already completed procedures in the ministry," said Maria Mladenova. According to her, to date, under the two announced procedures, over 10,200 projects have been received in just 5 months.
Over 2,500 project proposals have been received under the first - "Technological modernization", and over 7,700 projects under the second - "ICT solutions and cyber security". "There is serious interest on the part of companies in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, apart from Sofia, there is also Plovdiv, Varna and Ruse. We hope that the other districts will also become more and more active," Mladenova said. She pointed out that the application under the procedures of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and those of the EU structural funds is entirely online through the ISUN 2020 system, which is as easy as possible for businesses. On December 30, the first winning projects were announced - 953 projects, which will receive funding for BGN 260 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the "Technological Modernization" procedure. At the moment, nearly 7,700 submitted projects under the second measure "ICT solutions and cyber security" worth BGN 30.6 million are also being evaluated. It is expected that the winners will be announced soon.
Under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, seven procedures for BGN 1.2 billion will be open for applications in the first half of 2023 alone, and a total of 10 business measures will be launched by the end of the year. Support for micro, small and medium-sized companies in the country will be in three directions - the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the new competitiveness program and the new program for scientific research, innovation and digitalization. We would like to remind you that both European programs of the Ministry were approved in a record short period of time. The "Competitiveness and Innovations in Enterprises" program 2021-2027 with a budget of BGN 3 billion was sent to Brussels on August 16 and approved by the European Commission on October 3.
Program "Research, innovation and digitization for intelligent transformation" 2021-2027 with a budget of BGN 2.14 billion - sent on October 26 and approved on December 5. The first procedures that will be launched under the new program for competitiveness and innovation in enterprises are "Development of innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises" for BGN 127 million in March and "Implementation of innovations in SMEs" for over BGN 293 million. in April. On the initiative of the Minister of Innovation and Growth and with the active assistance of the team of Deputy Prime Minister Pekanov, information was collected and summarized from other ministries (Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Education and Science) about the procedures under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan among them, which has been sent to all regional governors in the country.
