MINISTER SACHEVA: STATE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE DURING THE NEW LOCKDOWN

The state measures in support of business will also be available during the newly imposed anti-epidemic restrictions in the country starting March 22 - 31, Minister Denitsa Sacheva informed.

All parents who are currently on unpaid leave due to their childrens’ home-schooling can apply for BGN 650 monthly (one child) and BGN 975 for two or more children at the Social Assistance Agency. “Parents in employment” is still usable – it assists adults in hiring unemployed relatives on a minimum wage as babysitters through the employment services.

The "Save me" measure will continue to support the employees of shut-down businesses with 75% of their insurance income, and those on unpaid leave will now have preserved insurance rights, as per the changes in the law, Sacheva added.

The measures "60/40" and "80/20" remain, and can also be applied in partially closed establishments, such as hotels.

The applications for the new compensations will start after March 31st, and the Minister promised that the funds will be paid by April 15.

For now, no additional compensation programs are being discussed, although there are more shut-down businesses under the new order of March 22. The Social Minister declared they could apply for the existing support programs.

The Council of Ministers could not reach consent on the concurrence of the measures, as suggested by the Unions. Sacheva noted that if the emergency is extended until the end of May, there will be room for discussing new possibilities for compensations after the elections.