site.bta1.2 Mln Pensioners to Receive Bonuses for Easter

1.2 Mln Pensioners to Receive Bonuses for Easter

Sofia, March 16 (BTA) - A total of 1.262 million pensioners with an income of up to 300 leva will receive a bonus of 40 leva for the Easter holidays, Deputy Prime Minister and Social Minister Ivailo Kalfin told journalists at the Council of Ministers. The bonuses will be paid along with the April pensions.

The Government approved Wednesday an additional transfer of 50.5 million leva under the State Public Insurance budget for the pension bonuses. The budget stability will not be threatened because the surplus from payments of social security contributions equalled around 61 million leva in the first months of the year, Kalfin explained.

The Government also approved a an additional transfer to the State Public Insurance budget for treatment and rehabilitation of war invalids and people having sustained injuries in wars.

Taking a question, Minister Kalfin said that the discussions on the support that will be provided to energy poor households in connection with the liberalization of the energy market are still at technical level. Also on Wednesday, the Government discussed the changes in the rules for providing support to victims of natural disasters. Kalfin recalled that people, who have sustained damage from floodings, will receive support if they have already been deemed eligible for heating benefits.