Expanded Social Assistance: Over 500 Thousand People to Receive 50 Euros for Christmas

A significant change is foreseen in the distribution of holiday social assistance in Bulgaria. In November, over 520 thousand people classified as needy will receive a one-time sum of 50 euros for the upcoming Christmas and Easter.

The key news is that, for the first time, the scope of these funds will not be limited only to pensioners, as was the case until now. The decision, adopted by the previous parliament, expands support to various social categories, including people receiving monthly social assistance, children and youth (18-21 years old) leaving social care homes, people entitled to targeted heating assistance, as well as children with permanent disabilities.

The list of beneficiaries also includes veterans, military personnel, and parents of children who are not entitled to inheritance pensions, provided they are supported by the Social Assistance Agency. 30 million euros have been allocated in the budget for the implementation of this measure.

Until now, the mechanism was primarily aimed at pensioners, with sums often distributed only among the poorest elderly people. The new model aims for a more equitable distribution of holiday support to the most vulnerable layers of society, with the amount of assistance to be determined annually depending on the state's budgetary capabilities.