About 70,000 people living in deprivation will continue to receive free hot lunch after September 30, 2025, after funding has been provided under the “Food and Basic Material Assistance“ Program (PHOMP) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. Thus, one of the most anticipated support measures by people is extended until January 31, 2026 and will not be interrupted during the hardest winter months.
The funds for the extension of hot lunch have been provided thanks to the quick response of municipalities to account for the accumulated savings. Flexibility funds have been allocated and released by the European Commission for financing the service within the framework of the mid-term review of the Programme, co-financed by the EU.
In order to guarantee the activities under the Programme “Food and Basic Material Assistance“, which has a completely exhausted budget, after 31 January 2026, the efforts of the Social Assistance Agency as the Managing Authority to attract additional financial resources continue.
Caring for the most vulnerable was set by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov as a key task for his team. As a result of this policy, a solution was also found to provide additional funds for the continuation of “Home Care“ under the other programme of the Ministry – “Human Resources Development“.