site.btaNational Ombudsman: More Money for Disabled Children Must Be Budgeted

National Ombudsman Diana Kovatcheva has sent a recommendation to Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Shalapatova and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev insisting that the 2024 State budget provide for increased monthly allowances for disabled child care under the Family Allowances for Children Act, Kovatcheva's office said in a press release on Thursday.

The financial support is available for children with a permanent disability aged under 18 and are paid until the beneficiary graduates from secondary school or turns 20, whichever is the earlier.
 
Now the monthly allowance varies by degree of disability: BGN 350 for 50 to 80% disability, BGN 450 for 70 to 90% disability, and BGN 930 for 90 and over 90% disability or permanent loss of working capacity. Kovatcheva argues that these amounts are quite insufficient considering the inflation rate and the increased prices of foods, medicines and other essentials, the Ombudsman argues.

She calls attention to the fact that these monthly allowances have not been adjusted since the end of 2016 but, worse yet, no mechanism has been laid down yet for their automatic adjustment down the years. Kobvatcheva points out further that she has repeatedly raised the issue with the competent authorities but no tangible action has been taken to address it.

"The monthly allowances are the only financial support granted to families with disabled children. They add to the caregivers' income and are an important element of the efforts to ensure decent living to disabled children in a domestic and family environment, in line with their best interests," the National Ombudsman writes.