site.bta46 Households Receive Aid after Sept. 5 Flood, Social Minister Says

A total of 103 households in the town of Tsarevo affected by the flood on September 5 have been visited by social workers and provided with emotional and psychological support, Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Shalapatova told Nova TV on Saturday. The local people are also being informed about the types of financial aid they can receive. So far, 46 one-time aid packages of up to BGN 1,512 have been provided, Shalapatova added.

The Minister recalled that next week the Council of Ministers will hold a meeting and decide if the relatives of the victims of the floods should receive one-time aid of BGN 15,000.

Shalapatova will visit Tsarevo on Saturday. The purpose of her visit is to assess whether there is a need for more measures to help the locals.

Commenting on the 2024 budget, the Minister said that an update of pensions based on the Golden Swiss Rule is foreseen, but it is not yet clear what will the increase be. The Golden Swiss Rule adjusts pensions by 50% of the previous year's inflation and by 50% of the growth of the average contributory income.

In 2024, the minimum wage will reach BGN 933, Shalapatova said. She explained that the social ministry fully complies with the legislation in this area. The ministry envisages enough measures to help people who would be unemployed after the minimum wage increase, Shalapatova added.