The Social Assistance Agency (SAA) took urgent measures to support the families affected by the heavy rains on 12 and 13 June. Mobile teams of social workers are visiting the affected homes, inspecting the damage and advising people on the possibility of a one-off grant to cover accidental vital needs, the maximum amount of which is BGN 1578.
To date, as a result of the social reports prepared by the social workers, a total of 4 applications have been submitted for the provision of assistance from affected households in the regions of Targovishte, Veliko Tarnovo and Varna.
In the town of Shipka, Stara Zagora District, the homes of around 30 families were damaged. At the moment, a team from the Directorate for Social Assistance – Kazanlak is visiting and inspecting the damage. In the villages of Hadzhidimitrovo and Enina, Kazanlak Municipality, nearly 20 houses were damaged. An interdepartmental commission is expected to be convened to assess the damage caused by the natural disaster.
In the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo, in the villages of Sheremetya, Malki chiflik, Arbanasi, Kapinovo, Samovodene, Mindya, Tserova Koriya, Pchelishte, there are data on 161 families injured. In the Pleven district, damage reports have been filed for 4 residential buildings in the Nikopol Municipality.
In the district of Sliven, in the area of the town of Nova Zagora and the villages of Asenovets, Bryastovo, Karanovo, Pitovo, P. Padarevo and Omarchevo, material damage was caused – broken roofs, windows, air conditioners of residential buildings, cars. There were no reports of injured or distressed people. Employees of the Social Assistance Directorate are in contact with the municipal administration and the crisis headquarters for joint actions.
On June 17, a team is scheduled to visit a team of the Directorate for Social Assistance – Teteven, to inspect the property damage of the families affected by the hail in the Lovech region, in the area of the village of Ribaritsa, Teteven Municipality.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy recalled that the one-off disaster relief assistance is provided to families whose legally constructed primary dwelling has been damaged. The aid is granted by order of the director of the relevant Social Assistance Directorate, following an application-declaration and a social survey carried out in the home of the affected families at their current address.
The established facts and circumstances determine the amount of funds to be allocated to them, depending on the damage caused and the needs of the injured families. Funds are paid by bank transfer or through Bulgaria Post services, depending on the preferred method.
Families who have been granted one-time assistance to cover incidental needs can also apply for support of up to BGN 2,500 from the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for the purchase of furniture, equipment and repair work.
