I will make a proposal to increase maternity benefits in the second year of raising a child from 780 leva to 1,100 leva. I have already signed the proposal. This was told to journalists by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov, who visited the Home for the Elderly “Nadezhda“ in Sofia on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.
If the mother returns to work in the second year of maternity, she should receive 75% of the funds, not 50%, the minister also said. According to him, this would make mothers return to work earlier and would help stimulate the economy. Personally, I really want next year to be the year of young families, the minister commented.
Another proposal is to increase the money for the first, second and third child, he also indicated. The Ministry of Social Affairs will propose that the assistance for students not only be from the first to the fourth grade and for the eighth grade, but from the first to the eighth grade. The goal is for all children to be covered by this support, Gutsanov explained.
It is still very early. We are doing everything possible in the cabinet, we have not forgotten the elderly in any way. He said this in response to a question whether pensioners can expect Christmas allowances. Whatever is necessary will be done, he indicated. After all, everything depends on the development of the economy and the real financial situation of the state, the minister commented.
Gutsanov confirmed that work is underway on a higher supplement to the pension of a deceased spouse – from 30% to 35%, which was announced earlier today by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.
I am glad that we managed to resist the “Swiss rule“ and continue to increase pensions in this way, commented Gutsanov. He also mentioned the efforts to uncover illegal homes for the elderly. Gutsanov emphasized that the renovation of all 81 homes for the elderly continues, as well as the construction of 254 new social services for people with disabilities, financed under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan.
Gutsanov visited the Home for the Elderly “Nadezhda“ in Sofia today on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.