Thanks to the new measure “Patronage Care +” of the Operational Program “Human Resources Development” we will be able to support over 53,000 persons at risk during the pandemic. In the previous components, more than 35,000 persons were supported, which was more than expected, but now we are planning to aid even more. This was said by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva during the opening of an information day with the Association of Municipalities, where the conditions for applying for the measure and the details on how to implement it so far were presented.

Minister Sacheva explained that the new operation is in line with the feedback received from the municipalities and therefore there is an expansion of the scope and facilitation of the application procedure. “It is now possible to adapt the social services delegated by the state to prevent coronavirus infection. Municipalities will be able to include in their projects activities related to disinfection of the buildings where the services are offered, testing of staff and consumers, partitioning of premises to isolate infected users, additional remuneration for overtime, etc.”, she added.

The measure prescribes the option to provide hourly social and health services at home to elderly persons over 65 who are unable to care for themselves, persons with disabilities or persons under quarantine due to COVID-19. They can rely on “Patronage Care +” teams to deliver food, medicines and basic necessities purchased with their own funds, as well as to assist in urgent administrative services.

All municipalities in the country can apply for Operation "Patronage Care +" until May 31, 2021. The budget for the procedure is 85 million BGN, and the projects will be implemented until June 30, 2023. For each municipality, there is a certain maximum amount estimated for the grant, which is consistent with the estimated number of persons who need the services, and the social services in the respective municipality.