Background information

Parents of children up to 12 years of age, who due to the declared state of emergency, are taking unpaid leave of at least 20 working days for childcare at home are entitled to an additional single childcare allowance. The assistance has an allocated budget of BGN 20 million (€10 million) allocated. This financial assistance can reach approximately 55,000 families, according to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy. The one-time assistance amounts 375 BGN (approx. €200).

The monthly income of a family member for the month preceding the use of unpaid leave can not exceed BGN 610 (€305) (minimum working salary for 2020).

Content of measure

The family aid, which amounts to BGN 375 (approx. €200), is granted if:

1. Both parents / a single parent enjoy continuous unpaid leave of at least 20 working days due to the inability to provide the employer with remote home work;
2. Both parents / single parent do not receive: a) Social assistance benefits under the LPA (Labour Policy Assistance), b) any other income (such as from contract work);
3. Both parents / a single parent are not entitled to paid leave, or it has already been realised;
4. The two parents / a single parent are not included in the 60/40 compensation scheme (under Decree No. 55 of the Council of Ministers of 30 March 2020 laying down the conditions and procedure for payment of compensation to employers in order to maintain the employment of workers and emergency workers, announced by a decision of the National Assembly of 13 March 2020);
5. Both parents / single parent have been insured in the last six months;
6. If only one parent is on unpaid leave, the other parent shall not receive: a) unemployment benefit, temporary disability benefit or pension (excluding disability pension), b) compensation for use of parental leave up to two years;
7. The child is not placed outside the family in accordance with the Law on Child Protection;
8. The child attended kindergarten / day nursery / school before 13 March 2020;
9. There is no possibility of taking care of the child from other relatives and relatives.

Use of measure

Between 13 April 2020 and 30 May 2020, 5,231 family applications were submitted. However, only nearly 2,000 families or fewer than the half who applied for the allowance since COVID-19 outbreak, were approved for state aid. The cabinet expected about 55,000 families and single parents to benefit from the measure.

According to the media, the measure does not have much coverage due to the strict conditions set for its receipt. The measure requires that both parents have exhausted their paid leave and have accumulated at least 20 days of unpaid leave between them. This was almost impossible in the first month of the state of emergency. The amount also barely covers the poverty line for one person of BGN 363 (€180) for 2020, although it is intended for the whole family.

As of the 22 January 2021, €15 million have been paid. This amount is more than the initial funds provided for under the measure, due to increased interest and necessity. 48,000 applications have been submitted, which is close to the expectations of the ministry, and the applications will continue after the state of emergency in Bulgaria is extended. Of these, 36,118 have been approved for funding. The parents in the districts of Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Sofia and Ruse received the most funds.

According to the Integrated Information portal BGN 75,7 million were paid since September 2021 in order to support 53,294 families.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Parents in employment Single parents in employment	Does not apply to businesses	Children (minors)

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

No information available.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sources

• 12 April 2020: Родители в неплатен отпуск ще получат еднократна помощ от 375 лева (www.investor.bg)
• 14 April 2020: Родители в неплатен отпускт ще получат 375 лв. еднократна помощ (www.mlsp.government.bg)
• 04 May 2020: More families will receive a one-time allowance of BGN 375 (nova.bg)
• 13 May 2020: Another measure in the crisis stumbled upon strict criteria (www.segabg.com)
• 29 May 2020: Nearly 2,000 parents on unpaid leave because of Covid-19 with assistance of BGN 375 (www.mediapool.bg)
• 22 January 2021: Помощта за над 200 млн. лв. за затворените бизнеси се бави (www.mediapool.bg)
• 24 March 2021: Дават още 52 млн. лв. за родителите, останали с децата си вкъщ (topnovini.bg)
• 17 May 2023: Criteria for granting the monthly targeted aid: (asp.government.bg)