The budget of the procedure is BGN 175 million. The main objective of the measure “Care at Home” is to provide support in the home environment for people with disabilities and elderly people who are dependent on care.

Through its implementation, at least 115,500 people starting their careers are expected to gain better employment opportunities.

“I am grateful for the efforts of all colleagues in the social system. I highly appreciate your work and respect every attempt to help a child in need, a young person who has lost direction in life, a family who cannot cope with their parental responsibilities, or an adult who needs support,” said Ivanka Shalapatova.

She added that she knows the work of MLSP both as a long-term partner on the part of the civil sector and the research community, and from the inside as a deputy minister in the caretaker cabinet in 2013.

Completing the reform of deinstitutionalization in childcare, developing a National Map of Social Services and ensuring more effective support for the most needy, and developing policies for economic activation of the inactive with a focus on youth and people with disabilities. These were part of the priorities that the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova presented.

"Our goal is to analyze whether each activity achieves the best for children, youth, the elderly, the labor market, and to take measures to optimize investments in social support at the highest level," specified Ivanka Shalapatova.

The identification of the most serious risks to children's well-being and the identification of measures to overcome them, with an emphasis on providing support for their families, should be the basis of the National Strategy for the child and the family.

For students in grades one and eight, proof of enrollment in the appropriate grade remains, as there is pre-ranking and enrollment for these grades.

Minister Shalapatova emphasized that during the preparation of the 2024 Budget, an increase in the salaries of social workers will be foreseen.

Social services can offer different prevention and support packages to victims of domestic violence, which include medical, legal, social, and psychotherapeutic activities.

Measures to ensure more jobs for people with disabilities were also a highlight of the conversation. This will be among the main goals of the upcoming changes to the Employment Promotion Act, informed Deputy Minister Ginka Mashova.

The households that will receive the one-time supplement have already been identified and do not need to submit applications for its granting.