site.btaOver 4,300 Social Workers in Bulgaria Assist Those in Need

A little over 4,300 people are employed in the field of social work in Bulgaria. They are distributed in 147 Social Assistance Directorates and 28 Regional Social Assistance Directorates  in the regional cities,  the Social Assistance Agency (ASA) BTA on the occasion of World Social Work Day.

Social workers are people with knowledge, skills, work, empathy and dedication in the name of people in difficult situations, who are entrusted by society with some of the most difficult tasks, commented the ASA. The work requires complex competencies and expertise, the agency added. This is especially true in the Child Protection departments. On the occasion of Tuesday's holiday, the ASA management thanked all those working in the field of social care for their dedication.

Regarding salaries, the ASA recalled that in 2024 the salary of social workers was increased twice, with the increase in October being about 30%. The agency  admitted that there is still much to be desired in terms of remuneration.

The provision of social services, as part of the social assistance system, is for people who cannot meet their basic life needs alone or with the help of loved ones and relatives, but need a home and/or specific care in the community, the ASA commented. Currently, around 1,879 social services are operating in the country for 65,088 people in need.

There are 150 centres for the elderly and adults with disabilities, 750 social services for residential care with 9,340 spots and 1,466 advisory services for 33,385 users. There are a total of 760 children's services that support a total of 20,192 children.

As of December 31, 2024, 339,761 orders for the allocation of targeted assistance for the heating season 2024/2025 were issued. In 2024, the amount paid for monthly, targeted and one-time assistance was BGN 109,161,837. An average of 29,844 cases of individuals and families were supported with monthly assistance. The annual amount of funds paid was BGN 99,798,989. Ukrainian citizens were also supported during the year.

In certain cases, targeted funds are also provided for diagnostics and treatment of persons who do not have income and/or personal property, the ASA also said. Targeted assistance is also provided for war veterans and disabled war veterans, etc. 

In 2024, 8,660 pregnant women were assisted with one-time assistance during pregnancy, in the total amount of BGN 1,903,520. A royal of BGN 29,353,855 were paid with one-time assistance upon childbirth for 55,112 children. In 2024, BGN  114,625 were paid as one-time assistance for 330 adopted children. A total of BGN 2,036,400 were paid as one-time assistance for raising twins for 1,707 children. Monthly assistance for a child with a permanent disability in 2024 was provided for an average of 28,146 children. The amount paid was BGN 239,994,110 leva. With the 2024 state budget, BGN 12,692,000 have been approved to provide financial support for raising a child in a family environment and BGN 33,150,000 was  provided for salaries and social security contributions of professional foster parents.

Under the 2021-2027 Food and Basic Material Assistance Programme, over 554,000 people have been supported through packages with 17 types of basic food products, and over 525,000 people with nine types of hygiene materials, according to ASA data.

In 2025, the theme for World Social Work Day is 'Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing', which emphasizes the importance of care and respect across generations to build strong societies, sustain the environment, and share wisdom for a better future

The day has been celebrated since 2007 on the third Tuesday of March at the initiative of the International Federation of Social Workers as a sign of appreciation to social workers for their contribution to the good of the global community.