site.btaState Waives 221 Citizens' DebtWorth 472,533 Leva Since 2012

State Waives  221 Citizens' Debt Worth 472,533 Leva Since 2012

Sofia, August 11 (BTA) - A total of 39 decrees have been issued since May of 2012, waiving 221 citizens' debt to the State worth 472,533.65 leva, said here Thursday the Chairman of the Commission on Waiver of Uncollectible Debts to the State, Plamen Konov, reporting on the Commission's work between May 2012 and July 1, 2016. The Commission functions under the President.

A large part of the waiver applications concern unduly received child welfare benefits. This trend, however, is declining after legislative changes were made that limit the room for errors made when mothers send their children to kindergarten but do not return to work from maternity leave, Konov explained. The number of such parents has decreased significantly.

A total of 38 debt waiver applications were approved related to wrongfully received welfare allowances under the Social Assistance Act. This mainly concerns poverty-stricken people, who are partial owners of a property that does not bring them any revenue. The effect of them losing their right to welfare assistance, such as for heating, is very serious. In such cases, the rule is that they must return the allowances received, which results in the accumulation of large sums.

A total of 721 people's debt waiver applications, worth 10,282,801.36 leva, have not been approved since May 2012. Among the main reasons to reject them were the debtors' or their families' relatively good financial situation, and ownership of properties.